Indigenous Artist

Evan Syliboy grew up playing guitar on Millbrook First Nation, NS. Son of renowned Mi’kmaw painter Alan Syliboy, creative expression was a constant. Mi’kmaw guitarists Willie Dunn, Ben Simon and Don Ross had a profound influence. Syliboy began studying jazz in his late teens, exploring the harmony of post-bop pianists such as McCoy Tyner and Bill Evans. Foundational experiences with Jerry Granelli and Tim Crofts solidified a great love for improvised music. With later influences from bands like Lilys and Slowdive came lush soundscapes, layers of fuzz and delay, culminating in a sound spanning introspective contemplation to all out noise-rock freakouts. He has composed for documentary films, as well as underscore for CBC during the 2023 North American Indigenous Games. Primarily an improvising musician, Syliboy has participated in many projects with Upstream Music Association and Breaking Circus. Syliboy’s composed and performed with Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers since 2016. Their 2024 album Marks on the Ground was nominated for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the 2025 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Syliboy resides with his family on Cole Harbour Reserve in the traditional Mi’kmaw territory of Kjipuktuk (Halifax), NS.

INDIGENOUS ANCESTRY

First Nations

SELF-IDENTIFICATION

Mi'kmaq