Word Vancouver in Conversation with Russell Wallace

We at Word Vancouver are excited to have Russell Wallace as the Indigenous curator for our online 2020 festival! Tune in to the festival from September 19-27 for some amazing readings and panels from Tania Carter, Wanda Kehewin, Garry Thomas Morse, Tracey Kim Bonneau and more!

Now let’s get to know a little more about Russell:

Russell Wallace is a composer, producer and traditional singer from the Lil’wat Nation in B.C. His music has been part of a number of soundtracks (film and television) and theatre/dance productions. Wallace received a Leo Award for Best Musical Score for a documentary series, “1491: The Untold History of the Americas Before Columbus”. Wallace is one of the founding members of the Aboriginal Writers Collective West Coast and is an alumni of the UBC Creative Writing program. Wallace has written poetry, short fiction, theatre, and music theatre.

We spoke to Russell about his process, emerging artists and the importance of music and art at this time.

Who are your main musical influences?

There have been many who inspired me and have influenced my work so I will name just a few such as: Redbone, Steely Dan, Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson, Disco, House, Minimalism, and my mom of course, Flora Wallace.

What is your creative process like?

I tend to rely on improvisation in most of my creative output whether it is music, painting, writing, or film. I approach the work with an impulse that has no intentions and if I find something to focus on then that is where I find the intention and then the context. For a lot of things this is easy but for some things can be challenging. I am not a good paint improvisor yet.

What would you consider the most challenging aspect of composing music?

Most of my music is for something (film, theatre, dance). So in a sense it is collaborative. I am given a set of parameters to work with from a director/choreographer and if the communication is good the process can be great but it can become challenging when the communication is out of phase.

How has teaching informed your music?

I was kind of forced into teaching by my mother but I am glad she did that because I learned so much about how I process the learning experience. I am an oral learner and I think most of us are. Music scores can help but the flexibility of singing a song in a key that is in between the notes in western notation can make a difference in peoples comfort level in learning. Sometimes when I work with musicians who play on my composition I sing the part I want them to play or emulate.

Which local emerging artist excites you the most?

I am old and not connected to music as much as I want but I do enjoy artists like Edziu Loverin, Janine Island, and Vı Ely.

What are the biggest changes / uplifting moments you have experienced during the pandemic?

The biggest change in me has been me thinking about becoming an artist again. I have had to work in administration and toxic work environments to make a living but being poor and happy as an artist really makes a difference in my life right now. I self isolated long before it was cool anyway.

What is the importance of writing, music and art during this time?

Creativity is important for sure but living and dealing with a potentially dangerous disease can occupy our heart and brain more than we know. I always say, trust in the process that got you as an artist to where you are now and things will happen. Some times it can be slow but it is always there. Our bodies know what we need and sometimes all we need is a good apple fitter, a warm comfortable chair, and some inane television show.

You can follow Russell at:

Twitter @thewallruss