Logan Staats
Logan Staats is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician.[1] Staats achieved mainstream success throughout 2018, and in 2019, off of his win on the first season of CTV's The Launch.[2] He is best known for his single, "The Lucky Ones" which hit number one on the Canadian iTunes chart right after its release.[3] He is also known for his part in the 2017 Canadian made documentary, When They Awake which celebrates Indigenous artists and their communities.[4]
Early life
Staats is a Mohawk,[5] born on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory[6] and was raised in the nearby town of Brantford, Ontario, Canada.[7] He started writing and performing music in his teens, playing the guitar and harmonica.[8] Staats is well-known in his local bars and through his live shows across Turtle Island.[9][10] He has shared the stage with multiple well-known artists such as Buffy Sainte-Marie, Keith Secola, and Mumford and Sons.[11]
From a young age, has been a fan of and inspired by Buffy Sainte-Marie.[12]
Career
2015-2017
Staats has acted in episodes of two television series; Guilt Free Zone (2015) and Urban Native Girl (2016) where he is credited as the musical performance.[13]
He performed with the band Ghost Town Orchestra, which lead them to winning the award, "Best Rock Album" at the 2014 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.[14]
He released his first full length album titled "Goodbye Goldia" on June 21, 2015.[15]
When They Awake Documentary
Staats was a part of Canadian documentary When They Awake, co-directed by P.J. Marcellino and Hermon Farahi, which was released in 2017.[16] The film was created to bring awareness for Indigenous musical talent as well as awareness about the Indigenous communities throughout Canada.[17] The film was released during the year of Canada 150 which was challenged by Indigenous people for Canada's history in colonialism, this film was produced with the intent to highlight the Indigenous people of Canada.[18] Staats starred alongside other Indigenous talent including Wab Kinew, JB the First Lady, Tuk Siglit Drummers & Dancers, and Yellowknife Dene Drummers.[19]
Staats filmed in his hometown of Brantford, Ontario, Canada where he met up with JB the First Lady where they explored parts of the town and jammed together.
Staats traveled with members and crew of the film for various screenings throughout Canada including Toronto, Regina, Peterborough and Owen Sound.[20] He appeared and performed at The Calgary International Film Festival along with IsKwé, DJ Shub, JB the First Lady, and The North Sound.[21]
2018: The Launch
In September 2017, Staats was chosen out of ten thousand applicants and competed on the inaugural season of Canadian reality music competition show The Launch.[22] He was a part of the series' premiere, which aired in January 2018, featuring a group of unsigned musical acts, competing to have their version of Busbee and Bebe Rexha-written song, "The Lucky Ones", released nationwide through Big Machine Records.[23] Staats worked under the mentorship of music mogul, Scott Borchetta, superstar, Shania Twain, and producer and songwriter, Busbee who helped him improve overall as a singer and performer.[24] Once selected the winner, Staats' rendition of the song was released on January 11, 2018.[25]
Personal Life
Staats is passionate about his family, his music, and his community and believes that it is important to give back to the youth.[28] He hopes that he can inspire young natives like how Buffy Sainte-Marie had inspired him through her teachings and song.[29]
Shortly after winning the first episode of The Launch, Staats began visiting public schools in the Durham Region under the Durham District School Board to meet with Indigenous students.[30] Staats' believes in an importance of young, impressionable Indigenous students to see someone of their ethnic background finding success in the music industry[31] and wants to give them hope and the tools in order to believe in themselves and to pursue their dreams.[32]
On December 4, 2017, Staats visited the Education Centre in Whitby, Ontario, Canada to speak with Indigenous youth and allies.[33] The event was titled "Logan Staats Music Workshop" which included a group of students from six DDSB public high schools; O'Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Eastdale Collegiate and Vocational Institute, G.L. Roberts Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Maxwell Heights Secondary School, Port Perry High School, and Brock High School.[34] Staats spent his day sharing his story, performing for students as well as answering questions about his life and his booming music career and the experiences he has had.[35]
Discography
Solo Album
- Goodbye Goldia (2015, 6ArrowsMedia)[36]
- Running Like the River
- Vampires
- Simple Man
- Bright Lights
- Market Street
- Ash's
- Rain
- What You Love
- Pretty Little Liars
- Tax Man
Collaborations
- "Lightning in a Bottle", in collaboration with Chllly, featured on album titled Pariah (2015, Thru the RedDoor)[37]
Singles and EPs
- "She Just Wants a Folk Song" (2017, self-released)[38]
- "The Lucky Ones" (2018, Bell Media, Inc. & Big Label Machine Label Group, LLC)[39]
- "Fear Of The Flame" (2019, Big Machine Label Group, LLC & Bell Media, Inc.)[40]
Awards and Nominations
Year | Association | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | RPM'S Best Indigenous Music of 2014 | N/A | Logan Staats | Won | [41] |
2014 | Aboriginal Peoples Choice Award | Best Rock | Logan Staats | Won | [42] |
2016 | ROCKWIRED Magazine | Best Male Artist | Logan Staats | Nominated | [43] |
2016 | Indian Summer Music Awards | Best Folk Album | Logan Staats/Goodbye Goldia | Won | [44] |
2016 | Native American Music Award | Best New Artist | Logan Staats | Won | [45] |
2017 | Indigenous Music Awards | Best Producer | Logan Staats | Won | [46] |
2017 | Indigenous Music Awards | Best Folk Album | Logan Staats/Goodbye Goldia | Won | [47] |
2017 | Indigenous Music Awards | Best Music Video | Logan Staats/"Ash's" | Nominated | |
2018 | CTV's The Launch | Chosen Artist | Logan Staats | Won | [48] |
2019 | Indigenous Music Awards | Best Radio Single | Logan Staats/"The Lucky Ones" | Won | [49] |
References
- Jul 01, CBC Radio · Posted; July 6, 2018 2:12 PM ET | Last Updated; 2018. "He's bringing Mohawk back: Musician Logan Staats wins first episode of CTV's The Launch | CBC Radio". CBC. Retrieved 2019-03-31.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
- "Logan Staats biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- Média, Bell. "Logan Staats Takes Off With 'The Lucky Ones' On 'The Launch'". www.iheartradio.ca. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "WHEN THEY AWAKE!". WHEN THEY AWAKE!. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- Hampton, Rosalind (2019-03-29). "Book Review: CHELSEA VOWEL. Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Issues in Canada. (2016)". McGill Journal of Education. 53 (2). doi:10.7202/1058407ar. ISSN 1916-0666.
- "Pathways to First Nations' data and information sovereignty", Indigenous Data Sovereignty, ANU Press, 2016-11-14, doi:10.22459/caepr38.11.2016.08, ISBN 9781760460303
- "Logan Staats biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- Heldman, Linda. "Interview - Logan Staats - The Launch | Canadian Beats Media". Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- Snyder, Gary (1974). Turtle Island. New York: New Directions. ISBN 0811205460.
- "Logan Staats biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- Média, Bell. "Logan Staats Takes Off With 'The Lucky Ones' On 'The Launch'". www.iheartradio.ca. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "Outreach". Logan Staats. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "Logan Staats". IMDb. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "LOGAN STAATS' SOUL SATISFYING ALBUM DEBUT: GOODBYE GOLDIA". MUSKRAT Magazine. 2015-07-02. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "LOGAN STAATS' SOUL SATISFYING ALBUM DEBUT: GOODBYE GOLDIA". MUSKRAT Magazine. 2015-07-02. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "About". WHEN THEY AWAKE!. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "About". WHEN THEY AWAKE!. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "About". WHEN THEY AWAKE!. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "Musicians". WHEN THEY AWAKE!. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "Screenings". WHEN THEY AWAKE!. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "When They Awake: Opening Gala | Calgary International Film Festival". www.calgaryfilm.com. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- Média, Bell. "Logan Staats Takes Off With 'The Lucky Ones' On 'The Launch'". www.iheartradio.ca. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "The Launch's Logan Staats Earns The #1 Song In Canada With 'The Lucky Ones'". ctv.ca. 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- Heldman, Linda. "Interview - Logan Staats - The Launch | Canadian Beats Media". Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "Logan Staats". Spotify. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- Fear Of The Flame, retrieved 2019-04-03
- "A tour, an album and more — what's next for Logan Staats". Two Row Times. 2018-01-17. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- "Outreach". Logan Staats. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- "Outreach". Logan Staats. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- "CTV's The Launch Winner Encourages DDSB Students to Pursue Their Dreams - Durham District School Board". ddsb.ca. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- Pearson, & Knabe (2015). Reverse shots: Indigenous film and media in an international context. Laurier, Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
- "CTV's The Launch Winner Encourages DDSB Students to Pursue Their Dreams - Durham District School Board". ddsb.ca. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- "CTV's The Launch Winner Encourages DDSB Students to Pursue Their Dreams - Durham District School Board". ddsb.ca. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- "CTV's The Launch Winner Encourages DDSB Students to Pursue Their Dreams - Durham District School Board". ddsb.ca. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- "CTV's The Launch Winner Encourages DDSB Students to Pursue Their Dreams - Durham District School Board". ddsb.ca. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- "Logan Staats albums and discography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- Pariah, retrieved 2019-04-03
- "Logan Staats albums and discography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- The Lucky Ones (THE LAUNCH), retrieved 2019-04-03
- Fear Of The Flame, retrieved 2019-04-03
- "Logan Staats - RPM.fm". Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "Logan Staats". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "LOGAN STAATS |ROCK iS RED PRESENTS AN EXCLUSiVE iNTERViEW WiTH LOGAN STAATS REGARDiNG HiS DEPARTURE FROM GHOST TOWN ORCHESTRA AND CUTS FROM HiS NEW CD GOODBYE GOLDiA". www.rockwired.com. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "Logan Staats". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "WINNERS DIRECTORY". nativeamericanmusicawards.com. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "2019 Nominees | Indigenous Music Awards". www.indigenousmusicawards.com. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "2019 Nominees | Indigenous Music Awards". www.indigenousmusicawards.com. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "Logan Staats". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- "2019 Nominees | Indigenous Music Awards". www.indigenousmusicawards.com. Retrieved 2019-04-03.