Edmonton, AB-based Metis artist, Robin Cisek has unveiled a video for her single, “Memories”. The video takes inspiration from sci-fi media and futuristic techwear styles to illustrate the individualized and very personal struggle with that people have with their mental health. Robin takes on the role of three characters that represent different emotional aspects of herself in an aim to find a purpose or final destination for upsetting memories.
This project was created with a small crew of 2 Metis creatives from the Edmonton area. Robin Cisek did the wardrobe, hair, makeup and visual character design and Strenneth (Aka Adriel Rosenfeldt) did the directing, editing, and special effects. They worked as a team to develop the concepts.
Check out the video below, and find out more about Robin via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi! My name is Robin Cisek! I am a Metis pop-alt musician from Edmonton, Alberta! I jumped into my music career after experiencing years of health problems and chronic pain. Music became my refuge and a way to express myself, heal, and connect with people around me. Music came into my life just when I needed it. Now I’m hooked and I don’t think I can ever go back!
I recently released a sci-fi music video for my song, “Memories”. The video and song illustrates the individualized and very personal struggle that people have with their mental health. It is super important to me to destigmatize conversations about Mental Health and write music that makes people feel like they aren’t alone.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
I believe that music is best when it brings people together and says something about our world. My entire album, called Delicate Minds, was about destigmatizing mental illness and creating conversations around different aspects of mental health. My new music video takes my music to another level by creating a visual representation of overcoming trauma and reflecting on upsetting memories. It is all about a personal battle with mental health
My music has always been inspired by Melody Martinez. Her lyrics and metaphors hold a lot of power and meaning behind them. I love how her albums are more like projects in the way that all her songs are connected by a story. My goal with this new music was to accomplish this kind of connection and cohesion! My new tracks take inspiration from artists like BANKS, Ruelle and AU/RA and their dark-pop/ electro-pop sounds.
How have you been keeping creative during the Pandemic?
Along with creating new music, I’ve been getting into beading! As a Metis person, It is super important to me to find ways to connect with my culture and during covid, crafting has been filling a little bit of that void! I’ve been able to make a couple of leather purses with beading, some bracelets, and a few sets of earrings! At the moment I am still a newbie but I’m really enjoying taking some time for me!
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
I would definitely recommend my song “Memories” and get them to watch my music video! This project was created at VStudios in Edmonton with a small crew of 2 Metis creatives from the Edmonton area, including myself. I did the wardrobe design, hair, and makeup. Strenneth (Aka Adriel Rosenfeldt) did the directing, editing, and special effects. I think that a lot of people would be extremely impressed by Strenneth’s work on this video! 75% of the video was shot on green screen, so almost everything you see was created from scratch! I was blown away by the special effects and the beautiful sci-fi environment he created.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
Right now, I am listening to Mother Mother on repeat! I love their new music and I can’t get enough!