Musician Silver Jackson translates near-death experience into 'sonic code'

Nicholas Galanin is the brain trust behind the music of Silver Jackson's Starry Skies, Opened Eyes — an ethereal experimental album.

A multidisciplinary artist, Galanin is Tlingit and Unangax̂ on his father's side and part Cherokee on his mother's side. Like his father before him, and his father before him, Galanin's silversmithing work reflects his Northwest Coast heritage. 

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His music is also inspired by indigenous land. Galanin describes his music as sonic explorations of that land. We talk to him about his latest work.

You were in a serious boating accident two years ago. How did that influence this album?

I was halfway through recording the record when the accident happened. Everything changed. I broke four vertebrae and some other bones. It has been a long healing process. As soon as I was able, I got back into the studio and worked on finishing the songs.

As I waited for the rescue helicopter to lift me from the boat, I recall finding complete comfort and calm in the stars of the cold evening sky. I was hoisted into the helicopter and knew I could do nothing, I was shocked from the violence of the accident and the beauty of the sky took me in.

I was in a relationship that was not the greatest, that ended in the accident. Gratitude and daily presence grew from the accident — all of this translated into the record in sonic code. 

You are also a multidisciplined artist. Do you prefer making art or music? Why?

Creativity is power, music is magic.

I have to make music; it is a part of my being and story. It is communication, storytelling, creation and ceremony.

A large part of my creativity is simply listening, experiencing and observation. Having multiple creative outlets means that I am able to respond necessarily when inspiration hits — nothing forced, no writer's block or stress from a lull or quiet creative period.

How does your culture influence your work?

It is my work. I am grateful to partake in my beautiful culture, visually, locally, internationally. I only hope to leave it further ahead than where it was when I entered the continuum.

What is the inspiration behind a three-part music video?

A collaboration with the talented Diné filmmaker Lord Dylan McLaughlin, the three-part series poetically moves through life.

You and I Should Try Again, Pt.1 represents life and love, relationship too; Death in Starry Skies Opened Eyes, Pt. 2, where it is all taken away in an instant; and afterlife, which is the yet-to-be-released as From Another World, Pt. 3.

During the creation of this album, I had experienced many challenges, including a custody battle, ends of relationships, and, of course, a near-death hunting accident, which is partial motivation to the Starry Skies, Opened Eyes video.

Transformation, movement, life and beauty is what we see happening in the entire series.

Here is the Canadian premiere of Silver Jackson's second video of the three-part series, You and I Should Try Again, Pt. 1.

• ON MOBILE? Watch the video here.