SARAWAKIAN Alena Murang has made her state proud when her latest album “Sky Songs” has been nominated for the International Indigenous Artist-Group Recording of the Year at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards in Canada.
Alena, on her Facebook post on May 15th, stated that she was honoured to be amongst four other artists nominated for “International Indigenous Artist – Group Recording of the Year” category by Canada’s Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards which has been running for 22 years.
Other artists who have been nominated include Cary Morin, Gájanas, Samantha Crain and VILDÁ. The winner will be announced and honoured at a special ceremony and live-streamed show at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on 12 June 2021.
The Sarawak-born musician and also one of the first and few female sape’ players has been actively promoting and preserving her Dayak Kelabit heritage through music. Her new album “Sky Songs” features eight tracks that are sung in the Kelabit, Kenyah and English languages. Sky Songs (CD and cassette) can be purchased on Tandang Store (www.tandangstore.com) and will be available on all major digital platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and more starting 28 May 2021.
