Northern Lights is RBMA Radio’s Local Spotlight show broadcasting forward-thinking, new Canadian music, the show focuses on uncovering new talent, with artist features, guest interviews and DJ sets, creating a place where artists can debut new music on a regular basis. Listeners can expect new music that can be raw, unproven, and mind-expanding – produced and hosted by filmmaker / former MTV News correspondent Johnny Hockin. Northern Lights focuses on diversity of genre and point of view.

spotlighting artists that don’t have a voice on mainstream radio, operate as DIY projects, or simply push the envelope of Canadian music. Artists and topics that will be explored this year include: River Tiber and his varied influences, Montreal’s Marie Davidson and local Toronto hip hop crew BEVSTMODE.

The show will also catch up with afro-futurist DJ and friend of Arcade Fire Pierre Kwenders and his new group Abakos.

Abakos (Pierre Kwenders & Ngabonziza Kiroko of Dear Denizen)

An abakos was a modified Chinese Mao suit made standard in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1970s as part of the country’s efforts to fight colonial European influence. It’s from these political and Congolese roots that Congolese-Canadian Artists Pierre Kwenders and Ngabonziza Kiroko joined forces under the name Abakos to create genre-defying electronic pop songs. They are both fixtures in the Montreal scene that surrounds the cross-cultural Moonshine parties, and they join Northern Lights to share their music and an exclusive DJ set.

Updated tracklist:

Abakos – New Constellation (Moonshine)
Abakos – Thieves (Moonshine)
Shabazz Palaces – Dawn in Luxor (Sub Pop)
Abakos – Money To Burn (Moonshine)

Pierre Kwenders Guest Mix
Babalu Aye (Moyuba Dub) – Kiko Navarro & Dj Fudje Feat. Dono (Yoruba Records)
Naughty Dance (Original Mix) – Dj Fortee Feat. Cindy (House Afrika)
Never Been Kind – Silyvi Feat. Toshi (United Music Records)
Let Me Down – Aero Manyelo Feat. Themby V Khumalo (Herbal 3)
Beautiful (N’Dinga Gaba Mix) – Jaidena Veda Feat. Josh Milan (Global Diplomacy )
Sinnerman (Nikko Alonzo Remix) – Nina Simone (White label)
Los Puebos (Pablo Fierro Remix) – Pino Arduini & Javier Bollag (DFTD)
Tun Tun – Oscar G Feat. Oba Frank Lords (Vida Records)
Feeling Misick (Ariane’s Rework) – Anane, Arnaud D Feat. Ade Alafia (Nulu)