Niska Napoleon

Art Napoleon is one of the most successful musicians to come out of the Peace Region, but it may not be long before his success is dwarfed
by another Napoleon. Niska Napoleon, the 23 year-old daughter of Art Napoleon, has her eyes on a career as a singersongwriter, and if her performance at the last Chetwynd coffee house is any indication, how far she goes with it is up to her.

Napoleon, who started performing at the tender age of eight, recently returned to her roots at Moberly Lake after living and working in Victoria. Taking what she describes as “a minihiatus,” Napoleon plans to spend her months at Moberly Lake enjoying the comforts of friends and family before returning to the road, her career, and the success
that seems to be beckoning. “I plan to go back,” she said of Victoria,
“and I have a lot of projects ready to go when I get back. I’m sure I’ll be
very busy.” Napoleon counts Sheryl Crow as her biggest musical influence, noting that Crow’s first album coincided with Napoleon’s first
youthful performance. “Not only did I have a huge respect for her
vocal ability, but her status as a singer-songwriter sets her apart from everybody else that I listen to,” Napoleon explained. “I really took a liking to her style; she's somebody who I was inspired by and I still ove her today. " Her plans upon her return to Victoria include working on a
debut solo album of her own. “I will hopefully be continuing work on
my solo career, so hopefully next year I’ll come out with my solo album,” Napoleon said. “I’m working on an EP when I get back to
Victoria, and I hope to have that released by April of 2010.”
Following that, she hopes to promote the album on a summer tour before getting to work on a full album. Despite not having released an album of her own, Napoleon has already performed at the Ollin Kan Music Festival” in Mexico City, “The Dawson City Music Festival”, and
“The 2008 National Aboriginal Indigenous Games, and had her music featured on APTN’s “The New Canoe,” “MY TV,” “The Mix,” and on CBC Radio. She’s even shared the stage with legendary talents like
Buffy St. Marie and The Persuasions. Along with these high-profile
moments, Napoleon has also seen the less glamorous side of the music business, but she’s made her peace with the balance that needs to be achieved between the
two. “There are a lot of upsides and downsides to it, so if you get treated like a rock star one night you might do the grunt work the next. But you get the best of both
worlds, I think. I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience both sides, so I’ve gotten a lot of great gigs and been treated very well, and then on the other hand I’ve done a lot of independent stuff where you have to do all the work
yourself.” While she’s firmly grounded in the present, Napoleon lets herself dream of what might be ahead from time to time, and in
those moments she finds herself on the biggest stage of them all, New York City. “I would like to say New York,” she says, when asked where she’d like to end up, “but really, wherever it takes me, I'll be happy to go."
- Chetwynd Echo

his track written and performed by Cree artist Niska is set to be the first single off the upcoming EP The Napoleon Collective. The EP will feature members of the uber-talented Naploean family Niska, Quanah Style and Art Napolean.

It was Art who produced this track in fact – an energized, upbeat indie-pop interpretation filled with passion and exuberance (check out an acoustic version here for a totally different vibe). The song shines in this production and keeps the best part at the foreground – Niska’s striking vocals. She may be a young artist, but her voice has a quality, clarity, strength and richness that defies her age. Download Again, get out of that chair, and get ready to dance and sing along. - Revolutions Per Minute

Front woman for Rocky Mountain Rebel Music, Niska has been working on some solo projects too and we are all waiting for her first release. Well known singer-songwriter Kinnie Starr raves:

Since I began mentoring over the last five years, I occasionally encounter very developed songwriters with an intensity that stands out. Niska Napoleon has a rare gift for composing and delivering “classic” original material. I firmly believe she is one of Canada’s undiscovered gems.

New video Again from singer/songwriter Niska Napoleon is an anthem to fresh starts. Her soulful rhythms remind us about what keeps us going through struggle and heartbreak. Have a listen! - Revolutions Per Minute

Take a listen to the first single, "Again," from the upcoming Napoleon Collective EP, as sung by Niska Napoleon, the sister of adored party girl Quanah Style. Niska, who is also releasing "The Whiteflower EP" in spring 2012, is a rare breed of artist where Auto-Tune would actually be a detriment. Her voice is the perfect paradox of vulnerable and strong, just as it is. - Xtra