August 3, 2022
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whatsupyukon.com
FROM PARIS WITH LOVE
freelance with
Manus Hopkins
Manus Hopkins is a Toronto-based musician and music journalist, originally from Whitehorse.
Paris Pick, one of the Yukon’s most-recognized and mostcelebrated musical artists, is leaving the Yukon with a send-off concert taking place August 12
I
t’s official. After nearly a decade in the Yukon, Paris Pick is moving away—first to pursue music school and then to continue the trajectory of her career as an artist. It’s bittersweet: Pick came to Whitehorse from Port Hardy, B.C., at age 18, and within a few years had become one of the most-recognized and mostcelebrated artists in the territory, amassing national recognition and even beginning to break into the overseas market. But now, at age 27, Pick is ready to take on the world—and the world had better be ready for her. “Moving up here was an inspiration,” Pick said, looking back on her humble beginnings just before heading back into Jordy Walker’s studio to continue tracking vocals for her next release. “I started playing music the way I do now because of the community.” Pick’s love for the local music and arts community was born the
PHOTOS: Paris Pick
With Paris Pick and the Pricks, Pick has released two albums: 2018’s Feeling Love and 2021’s Hope for the Best night she saw her first-ever concert in Whitehorse, which was a show featuring Soda Pony and Diyet van Lieshout. She remembers the latter bringing her to tears, and she knew right then
that she wanted to play music. It’s interesting to hear Pick put herself back in her old shoes, as an unknown young woman who had started a new adventure in a strange place, not knowing what
to expect. Anyone who knows the musicians of the Yukon knows who Pick is. With full-length albums, award nominations, national tours and international showcases under her belt, she’s also staged her own DIY festival, Greasefest, for the past few years, while helping local venues with bookings, teaching youth rock bands at summer camps, and acting as a mentor to many of the Yukon’s younger upand-coming artists. “It’s gonna be pretty emotional leaving,” she admitted. “But I’m also very excited and I know Whitehorse isn’t going anywhere. So I’ll be back.” Pick is packing up at the end of the summer and is driving down to Nelson, B.C., where she’ll be pursuing a two-year diploma at Selkirk College. The decision to pursue music school was more like a revelation to Pick, which came when she was reflecting on what she wanted to do with her life while on vacation in Mexico last winter. “I want to play music until I die,” she said. “I’m already almost there.” Furthering her education in music seemed like the natural next step for Pick, who is a selftaught musician who wants to better understand the theoretical aspects of creating and performing music. It’s not the qualification or the piece of paper that’s important to Pick; it’s all about expanding her understanding of music. “I’m not giving myself any expectations, but definitely just want to get more knowledge,”
she said. Landing on Selkirk College wasn’t a difficult decision, either, as several of Pick’s fellow prominent, local music-scene members are graduates of that program, including Selina Heyligers-Hare, Elijah Bekk and some of the members of Major Funk. “Everyone knows Selena Heyligers-Hare, who was probably my biggest inspiration living here in the Yukon,” said Pick. Just seeing another female musician—she’s totally badass. And when she came back from school, we all saw a level-up in her playing and performance.” Pick’s main act, for the past several years, has been her eponymous band, Paris Pick and the Pricks. Though she’s able to hire musicians on a touch-andgo basis, often putting together a group for whichever showcase or tour she has coming up, she’s had other long-serving members and some who have left to pursue other goals but have returned, at one point or another, too. Once she gets down to Nelson, she already has a plan to put together the newest iteration of the Pricks. “I pretty much have a version of my band ready to go for when I get down there, because my old guitar player, Zach Pelland, lives in Cranbrook, which is just two hours away; and my old drummer, Lee Campese, is in Ymir,” said Pick. “So, I pretty much have everything I need when I get down there. And I’m sure, in school, I’ll cont’d on page 27 ...
Jubilee Thursdays at Taylor House Come to Taylor House, 412 Main Street, in Whitehorse, Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm all through July and August for Jubilee Thursdays. Come celebrate Queen Elizabeth II, have some refreshments, and tour our Museum and The Royal Family in the Yukon exhibition. 867 334-7117
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The Commissioner of Yukon will be in attendance, except on Thursday, July 28.
Jeudis du jubilé à la maison Taylor Venez à la maison Taylor, au 412, rue Main, à Whitehorse, les jeudis de 13 h à 16 h en juillet et août pour les jeudis du jubilé. Célébrez la reine Elizabeth II, venez prendre une collation et visitez notre musée et l’exposition La Famille royale au Yukon. La commissaire du Yukon sera présente, sauf le jeudi 28 juillet.
