Maten is an Innu musical group from Mani-Utenam, on the north shore of Quebec. Comprised of Samuel Pinette, Matthieu McKenzie, and Kim Fontaine, the band sings songs in their native language, Innu. With a discography of four albums, their songs focus on the future while remaining grounded in realism and highlighting the challenges of their community. Their latest album, Utenat (“The Big City”), brings alternative folk-rock sounds, rooted in their Innu heritage and pride.
Since the group was founded in 1999, MATEN has produced four albums, including their self-titled album in 2017 and their new album Utenat (“The Big City”), which was released last year. Their mission is to promote the Innu language through their songs. They love to express their pride through music. Veterans in their field, they serve as guides for today’s young Indigenous artists. This new album marks a revolutionary step in the musicians’ careers, representing a “MATEN 2.0.”
Mani-Utenam, or “Mary’s Village,” has been a federal territory since 1948. The community is rooted in the families associated with the Mishta-shipu (“Moisie River”). Just sixteen kilometers from Sept-Îles, this village is the birthplace of the group MATEN. This land is where their cultural roots grew, and the band has drawn on their homeland as a source of inspiration for many of their songs.
On October 26, 2024, the Centre culturel Frontenac, CEPEO, and Réseau Ontario are pleased to present the band MATEN at the Le Sésame theater. Before the show, I decided to listen to some of their songs so I could share my thoughts with you. Their music deeply reflects their cultural heritage, and all the songs are sung in their native Innu language.
The two songs I enjoyed the most are Nitepuatauat and Eshpish Nishtuapamitan.
Nitepuatauat, created in collaboration with the band Black Bear, is a song from their latest album, Utenat (“The Big City”). The song opens with strong drumbeats, possibly echoing the heartbeat of their culture. The music then flows into a calm atmosphere before the introduction of electric instruments halfway through. The instruments blend with Indigenous chants, creating a nice mix of pop and traditional songs.
Eshpish Nishtuapamitan is a softer song, featuring instruments like the acoustic guitar and drum. This song puts more emphasis on the lyrics and gives me a slight feeling of nostalgia as I listen. The bassline really drew me into this piece.
In conclusion, I hope my review has piqued your interest in forming your own opinions on their music and in seeing MATEN perform live!
Don’t miss our upcoming interview with Matthieu McKenzie, which will soon be on our website!
—Elie Hueglin