ep5 Cris Derksen does her job

Almost Famous Enough

ep5 Cris Derksen does her job
released February 20, 2025
1:41:08

In this episode, Glen Erickson interviews Cris Derksen, an accomplished two-spirit, Juno-nominated artist from Treaty 8 Territory in Northern Alberta. The conversation delves into Cris’s unique life journey, blending a Mennonite and Cree heritage, and creating a distinctive career as both an artist and musician. Known for combining classical music with traditional Indigenous sounds using her electronic-fused cello, Cris shares insights from her experiences, including how she turned down Cirque du Soleil to focus on her own music. She discusses her work with symphonies, her involvement in diverse creative projects such as scoring for National Geographic, and developing the original work ‘Orchestral Powwow’. Cris’s story is one of resilience, optimism, and breaking norms within the music industry, all while maintaining a strong sense of her heritage and identity. This episode is rich with lessons in self-confidence, perseverance, and the importance of community in artistic endeavors.

Guest website: https://www.crisderksen.com/
Guest Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/cris_derksen
Guest Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYw7C-YCx_LTvsoIYLirtUw

hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson

Almost Famous Enough website: https://www.almostfamousenough.com
AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough
Almost Famous Enough Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480

Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.

00:00 Introduction to Cris Derksen

00:37 Cris Derksen Background and Heritage

02:40 Early Musical Influences and Upbringing

05:19 Navigating Identity and Racism

16:23 Discovering the Cello and Musical Journey

18:02 Challenges and Determination in Music Education

24:12 Busking and Early Career Struggles

26:55 Touring with Tanya Tagaq

31:03 Composing and Performing with Orchestras

39:38 Blending Classical and Indigenous Music

52:18 Navigating the Music Industry Independently

52:29 Building a Team for Success

53:27 The Importance of Relationships in the Music Business

54:40 Embracing Tokenism and Diverse Opportunities

55:51 Challenges and Lessons in Touring

56:49 Finding Balance and Avoiding Burnout

57:43 Leadership Roles and Industry Involvement

59:14 The Power of Self-Awareness and Authenticity

01:06:32 The Move to Toronto and Its Impact

01:09:23 Personal Life and Career Highlights

01:14:56 Advocacy and Community Building in Classical Music

01:17:23 Reflections on Positivity and Resilience

01:19:55 Current Projects and Future Plans

01:22:26 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

01:27:05 Post-Fame with Alexi

Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Conversation with Cris Derksen (00:02:40)

3. Post-Fame with Alexi (01:27:05)