Paying homage to his Inuit roots is a predominant theme of Leo MatthewSA国际影视传媒檚 music. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 evident from the titles of his songs and his debut album, SA国际影视传媒楾he Boy From Nunavut.SA国际影视传媒�

Born and raised in Kimmirut, his first single SA国际影视传媒� I.N.U.K. SA国际影视传媒� was released on National Indigenous Day, June 21, and is "an ode to the friends, family and peers that have been lost and stands as a celebration of Inuit and Indigenous culture and unity.SA国际影视传媒�

Matthew explained how growing up in the territory shaped his music and identity.

SA国际影视传媒淭raditional music was everywhere. I would just sing along and dance along, play in the Christmas games... ISA国际影视传媒檓 very fluent in Inuktitut. I grew up speaking it, and thereSA国际影视传媒檚 some in my music. So [ISA国际影视传媒檓] reflecting that in my music and showing them that hey, ISA国际影视传媒檓 that boy from Nunavut, which is going to be in my debut album on July 26 and my single coming out Nunavut Day.SA国际影视传媒�

Matthew credits his father and music teacher in Kimmirut as the biggest influences on his life as a musician, and for giving him his start.

SA国际影视传媒淚t all started with my dad who plays the guitar. HeSA国际影视传媒檚 a great guitarist. All his life heSA国际影视传媒檚 played the guitar. During school [in Kimmirut] I was just that kid who loved playing instruments. My music teacher was from South Africa, and heSA国际影视传媒檚 also the one that also believed in me. So my dad and my music teacher had this great relationship. They played gigs at my school in Kimmirut. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a very small community SA国际影视传媒� only 500 people SA国际影视传媒� but the whole community comes and shows up, and they would make me play along... just kind of getting confidence... and just enjoying the process of music.SA国际影视传媒�

Moving to Quebec City in 2018, Matthew graduated high school in 2021 and has been pursuing his dream of a career in music in big cities SA国际影视传媒� "just continuing small steps by small steps.SA国际影视传媒�

He reveals his wish to be a SA国际影视传媒渂eacon of light in that creative spaceSA国际影视传媒� for other Inuit

SA国际影视传媒淚 made SA国际影视传媒楾he Boy From NunavutSA国际影视传媒� after graduating and during the pandemic. I wanted it to be a statement and title, like what is this guy who is he?SA国际影视传媒�

He describes the process of recording the song in Toronto through the Hitmakerz label, and a producer pointing out that itSA国际影视传媒檚 a great title and he should stick with it.

SA国际影视传媒淓verything just flowed naturally. I like to take my time with things, observe things and so SA国际影视传媒楾he Boy From NunavutSA国际影视传媒� just came from the soul.

SA国际影视传媒淭o me personally, itSA国际影视传媒檚 about the journey of a small town boy like any other person in any other small town around the world just trying to make it in the big life and in the south. I talk about my views about coming from North to south; having to change with a different speaking mouth, for example going from Inuktitut to French to English; having to deal with the culture change. Going from a 500 [resident] small town village boy to wanting to go to a big city life like Toronto and actually experiencing all the big city lights. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 about growth and perseverance and a journey.SA国际影视传媒�

Working with Grammy-winning song writers Matt Snell and Robbie Brett, who also work with Dua Lipa, has helped Matthew develop his own particular style, which he says is heavily influenced by Ed Sheeran and accordionist Joannie Ikkidluak.

Matthew is planning to come home to visit soon, and is applying to music festivals.

In the meantime, Nunavummiut can listen to his music and find out more on leomatthews.com.

SA国际影视传媒淭o me, this is a story about a boy from Nunavut... Indigenous culture is booming now. It is like they say, SA国际影视传媒極ur time.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�