North·MUSIC

Songs of solstice: here's a playlist for 24-hour darkness

Trail's End host Allison Devereaux created a playlist to help celebrate the darkness of a Northern winter, and for comfort on the tougher days.
A December sunrise in Yellowknife as seen from Pilot's Monument. (Allison Devereaux/CBC)

Trail's End host Allison Devereaux created a playlist to help celebrate the darkness of a Northern winter, and for comfort on the tougher days.

Lights - Cactus in the Valley

A magical concert moment. Jay Gilday of Yellowknife in duet with Lights, performing at Inuvik's Igloo Church. The pair helped welcome the sun back to the Mackenzie Delta region in January 2013.

Elisapie Isaac - Life is What you Make It

Mornings can be tough without the sun's help. This day-starting, upbeat pop is by Elisapie Isaac, originally from Salluit, Quebec.

Calvin Pameolik - Been Away Too Long

The Inuktitut lyrics are about lying in bed at night, playing guitar, longing for home and family. Pameolik is a 21-year old from Arviat, Nunavut currently studying in Winnipeg.

Record of the Week Club - Keewatin Arctic

In 2009, Record of the Week Club brought together a variety of musicians at a studio in Winnipeg, each Wednesday. They were tasked with collaborating on a song which would be released by morning. Here's the result of the night John K. Samson (The Weakerthans) met throat singer Nikki Komaksiutiksak and Blunderspublik.

Scary Bear Soundtrack - The Longest Night

Synth-pop out of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. This song is inspired by the story of two hunters who got lost on the tundra. With lyrics such as "stay strong, we need to get through this night," it's about how they kept each others spirits up while waiting to be rescued. And, in many ways, how we all need to lean on each other in dark moments.

Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla

A beautiful soundtrack for the majesty of winter, borrowed from our Circumpolar neighbours in Iceland.

Leanne Goose - After the Lights Go Down

A song about missing the one you love, after the lights go down. Goose says darkness is a time for her to buckle down, focus on inner happiness — and sleep, "like planting seeds for spring renewal."

Bruce Springsteen - Dancing in the Dark

Enjoy the mystery and serenity of night. It won't be long until we're in 24-hour sunlight again.

Have a song you think we missed? Email trailsend@cbc.ca or tweet @allisondev.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Allison Devereaux is the host of Afternoon Drive in London, Ont. She's been with CBC News for a decade, reporting from Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Winnipeg and Halifax. Reach her with story ideas: allison.devereaux@cbc.ca