Pamyua
Anchorage, Alaska, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Brothers Phillip and Stephen Blanchett joined Ossie Kairaiuak and opened their throats in a new song, Native Alaska dance tunes blended into street-corner American pop harmony. The charismatic group is the most positive advertisement we can think of for Alaska spirit, imagination, expression and affirmation. - Anchorage Daily News, Special Millennium Edition
Pamyua laid bare the soul of Yup'ik and Greenlandic music, honoring their heritages and taking them into the future. Songs echoed the Arctic tundra while embracing a world-music style kissed by Australian didgeridoo, Caribbean and African-American rhythms. The quartet's a cappella harmonies were stunning.
Pamyua's Yup'ik songs and (Gregory) Hines' tap dances may seem worlds apart, but they share one element: the desire to keep healthy traditional arts that are strands in the changing tapestry of American culture.
- Anchorage Daily News
Jewel isn’t the only sexy chick singer to emerge from Alaska! Pamyua (Yup’ik Eskimo for ‘end’ or ‘encore’) features Karina Møller, the Eskimo Britney Spears, along with her Yup’ik husband Phillip Blanchett, Stephen Blanchett and Ossie Kairaiuak, of African American/Inuit heritage. - Off Beat, America's Roots and Music Magazine
In Alaska, the band Pamyua sells more CD’s than Michael Jackson and Madonna. The popularity is grounded in a unique combination of the Inuit ancient singing and drumming traditions, with the use of modern soul and pop. There is pride and strength behind the band, which sees themselves as ambassadors for an ethnic culture in the high north. - Aktuelt Publication, Copenhagen, Denmark
Discography
2005, Drums of the North
2003, Caught in the Act
2001, Verses
1998, Mengluni
Buy Albums! Copy link in new browser window:
www.cdbaby.com/all/pamyua
DIGITAL:
iTunes
MusicNet
MSN Music
Pamyua: Mengluni (The Beginning)
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=65170983
Pamyua: Verses
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=65171680
Pamyua: Caught In The Act
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=65173129
Pamyua: Drums of the North
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=79305195
Photos
Bio
Many Americans were introduced to Inuit music watching the Canadian epic The Fast Runner, but for more than a decade Pamyua has released traditional Inuit (Yup’ik) Drumsongs from Alaska with a distinct and unique American sound. Together for more than 15 years, Pamyua (pronounced Bum yo-ah) has entertained millions with their fusion of traditional Inuit music and Yup’ik dance performance.
Founding members Phillip Blanchett, Stephen Blanchett and Ossie Kairaiuak are from the Yukon/ Kuskokwim River Delta region in southwestern Alaska. Karina Moeller also a founding member is from Nuuk, Greenland.
Pamyua found national recognition winning Record of the Year at the 2003 Native American Music Awards and is now a cultural treasure across the circumpolar north. The group has performed at distinguished events worldwide including the Smithsonian’s grand opening of the National Museum of the American Indian and the 25th Anniversary of Greenlandic homerule, in which Queen Margrethe II of Denmark was in attendance.
Pamyua represents the enduring heritage of Inuit people. Their performance encourages audiences to appreciate indigenous traditions while relating ancient traditional wisdom into modern culture. Pamyua believes that unity is possible though music and dance and the members interpret Inuit traditions masterfully with joy and sincerity. The response to this message is tremendous as the group is a symbol of pride for Alaska’s indigenous people and to all who see them perform. Pamyua also teaches and performs in schools continuing their work to communicate interactively to broaden awareness and inspire unity.
Pamyua established Arctic Voice Records in 1998, which features: Traditional, Inuit, Fusion and World Music genres. Their music is featured in the films Christmas in the Clouds, Dear Lemon Lima and in the Discovery television series Flying Wild Alaska.
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