Elisapie – Quviasukkuvit (If It Makes You Happy)
Almost one year since the release of her highly-acclaimed album Inuktitut, Elisapie returns today with “Quviasukkuvit (If It Makes You Happy),” her take on the Sheryl Crow classic that also took over the Nunavik radio airwaves when the Inuk artist was still a teenager. Translated into her mother tongue, the song was produced by her close collaborator Joe Grass. In addition to the twenty or so shows scheduled between now and 2025, including a rare New York City show at Joe’s Pub on October 5, Elisapie is currently in the running for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize.
Just like the songs on Inuktitut, “Quviasukkuvit (If It Makes You Happy)” is inspired by one of Elisapie’s childhood memories:
“An image that always comes to mind, no matter where I travel or live, is of the people dancing at the magical and dramatic Ikkarivvik Bar in Kuujjuaq. In my mind’s eye, it is always Friday night, and the moon is full. Most people are either a little drunk or very drunk. The bar and the dancefloor are an escape, and people dance to forget and escape. I recognize so many faces and I can see their smiles and closed eyes as they dance.
If It Makes You Happy was so popular in the North, and it reminds me so much of when I was a teenager. It played on TV and radio, and we listened to it at home. Those lines made us want to scream along with Sheryl. Her song liberates my people in the North, giving them the words to shout about being sad without feeling ashamed.
When I perform this song, it has Sheryl Crow’s enthusiasm, but my Inuit sensibility slows it down, echoing the rhythm of the land.”
Elisapie also shared a music video for the song directed by Philippe Léonard.
“Elisapie is an artist who can transcend darkness to bring out light and hope,” explains the director. “I wanted to pay tribute to what this woman of immeasurable strength means to me. This choreography of shadows is inspired by the stratified mineral landscape of Salluit, where this Qupanuaq (bird) was born.”
Tour dates
14/09/2024 Abiquiu, NM – Ghost Ranch Music Festival
28/09/2024 Vancouver, BC – Chan Centre for the Performing Arts – UVATTINI
30/09/2024 Calgary, AB – National Music Center – Studio Bell
05/10/2024 New York, NY – Joe’s Pub
08/11/2024 Toronto, ON – The Opera House
14/11/2024 Terrebonne, QC – Théâtre du Vieux-Terrebonne SOLD OUT
15/11/2024 Saint Damien, QC – Maison de la culture de Bellechasse SOLD OUT
16/11/2024 Saint-Casimir, QC – Les Grands Bois SOLD OUT
21/11/2024 Sainte-Thérèse, QC – Théâtre Lionel-Groulx
22/11/2024 Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, QC – Théâtre Le Patriote SOLD OUT
23/11/2024 LaSalle, QC – Théâtre Desjardins
29/11/2024 Saint-Hyacinthe, QC – Centre des arts Juliette-Lassonde SOLD OUT
30/11/2024 Trois-Rivières, QC – Salle Anaïs-Allard-Rousseau SOLD OUT
09/12/2024 Québec City, QC – Grand Théâtre de Québec – UVATTINI
11/12/2024 Montréal, QC – MTELUS – UVATTINI
14/12/2024 Verchères, QC – L’Église du Village
04/04/2025 Brossard, QC – Théâtre Manuvie – UVATTINI
05/04/2025 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre – Baps Theater – UVATTINI
24/04/2025 Saguenay, QC – Théâtre C – Festival Jazz et Blues de Saguenay – UVATTINI
25/04/2025 Sherbrooke, QC – Granada – UVATTINI
26/04/2025 L’Assomption, QC – Théâtre Hector-Charland – UVATTINI
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