Medicine by Lauren Mann and Johnny Aitken

On June 21, 2024, on National Indigenous People’s Day, Lauren Mann will be releasing her new single, “Medicine”. Lauren co-wrote this song over five years with her friend Johnny Aitken. The song focusses on truth, healing, and reconciliation. Johnny is a First Nation 2spirit multi-disciplinary artist. This collaboration was intentional, it was an opportunity for a member of the Settler community to create a piece of art with an Indigenous community member with the hope of helping heal from past injustices and to heighten awareness on Indigenous issues throughout Canada.

Lauren and Johnny wrote the song by getting together on SḴŦAḴ (Mayne Island) and SDȺY¸ES (Pender Island), going for walks in different parts of the island and having lengthy conversations about reconciliation, truth and healing, and lived experiences. In the process of writing this song, a friendship was formed, strengthened, and trust was cultivated and nourished. Slowing down and taking their time permitted space for subtle nuances to appear within the lyrics. The song was produced by Adam Iredale-Gray (Aerialists, Fish and Bird) at Fiddlehead Studio on Mayne Island, BC and Toronto, ON.

All proceeds from this track will be donated to The Orange Shirt Society.

Tracklist

1.	Lauren Mann and Johnny Aitken - Medicine	4:13

Lyrics

Verse 1
Children buried in the dirt
Stolen orange shirts
What magic number will give them worth

Verse 2
Trees are falling to the ground
Even when endangered species found
When one hits the forest floor do we hear the sound

Verse 3
Another woman disappeared
Families living their worst fear
Will we say her name instead of ignoring the tears

Chorus
Where is the medicine
Where is the medicine
When the sacred lands are scoured
Where is the medicine

Bridge
Mothers, fathers, sons and daughters
Calling two spirits, all our relations

Verse 4
Where is the medicine, where is the medicine
All our relations calling
Scattered seeds are growing
Walking, fumbling hand in hand
Healing the land

Chorus
Where is the medicine
Where is the medicine
When the sacred lands are scoured
Where is the medicine
Where is the medicine
When the sacred lands are scoured
Where is the medicine
(Repeat)

Credits

released June 21, 2024
Written by Lauren Mann and Johnny Aitken
Recorded at Fiddlehead Studios (Mayne Island, BC and Toronto, ON)
Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Adam Iredale-Gray
Photography by Kenta Kikuchi
Artwork by Yoko Kikuchi

Lauren Mann plays rhodes, piano, and sings
Johnny Aikten plays heartbeat drum
Adam Iredale-Gray plays fiddle, bass and acoustic guitar, percussion

Publicity: Mavis Harris, Nice Marmot PR, mavis@nicemarmotpr.com
Booking/Management: hello@laurenmannmusic.com

Supported by CRD Grant in Aid and private donations.

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