Sebastian Gaskin isn’t just creating songs to fill playlists—his music is a reflection of his journey, identity, and the stories he feels compelled to tell. What began as a way to cope with life’s challenges has now evolved into a career where he uses his voice to address deeper societal issues. From his cultural heritage to the message he wants to share, Gaskin intends to make the most of art and skills.
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Where it all started
“I first started writing songs when I was 12 or 13,” he recalls. His recent single, “Brown Man”, released just ahead of Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is a powerful example of this evolution. “Before this song, I intentionally left parts of my identity out of my music,” Sebastian admits. “I didn’t want to be pigeonholed as just an Indigenous artist.” But after George Floyd’s murder, he felt a responsibility to address his experiences as a person of colour navigating a world not built for him.
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“Why should I change the way I walk or smile just to feel safe?”
Sebastian gaskin on fitting in
“I found myself adjusting how I walked, how I carried myself, just to seem less threatening,” he says. “At a certain point, I had to ask—why am I doing this? Why should I have to change how I exist in the world?”
The power of storytelling
With “Brown Man,” Sebastian wanted to spark a conversation. “I released it right before Truth and Reconciliation Day to open eyes,” he explained. “It was important for me to challenge how people perceive others based on appearances.” Through his lyrics, he reflects on personal moments—like the unconscious adjustments he makes in public to avoid being misjudged.
Gaskin’s music isn’t just entertainment—it’s an invitation to reflect and empathize. His approach to music has always been intentional. While some artists create based on trends or commercial appeal, Sebastian focuses on storytelling. “Every little moment in life can become a lyric,” he says. “From an Uber driver skipping a yellow light to a personal struggle—it all has meaning.”
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The creative process and career challenges
Songwriting has always been a form of self-expression for Sebastian, but it wasn’t until 2017 that he fully committed to honing his craft. “I wrote a song every day for a year,” he says. “That process completely changed how I view songwriting and made me fall even more in love with it.” His writing process has evolved over time. While he once wrote out of necessity, he now takes a more structured approach. “These days, I schedule writing sessions with friends, sometimes over multiple days,” he explains. “The goal is to come out of those sessions with six or seven solid songs.”
“If a kid sees me and thinks, ‘Hey, I can do that,’ then I’ve done my job.”
SEbastian gaskin on inspiring the next generation of artists
But despite his success, Sebastian faces a unique challenge: having too much music. “I have so many songs I want to put out, but I have to be business-minded about it,” he says. “Timing is everything in this industry.” This balance between artistic passion and industry strategy is something every musician faces, but Sebastian takes it in stride. “At times, I just want to leak all my music,” he jokes. “But at the end of the day, this is a business.”
Finding purpose in mentorship
As he looks ahead, Sebastian’s ambitions go beyond personal success. He’s passionate about lifting up others from his community. “I want to do mentorships,” he shares. “There were so many people who helped me when I started, and I want to pay it forward.” His goal isn’t just to climb higher on the charts but to inspire the next generation of Indigenous artists. For Sebastian, representation matters. “People like me weren’t meant to succeed in this industry,” he states bluntly. “We were placed on reservations, kept out of the cities, out of the mainstream. But here I am, making music, touring the world.”
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Looking forward
Sebastian is currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming album on February 21st. “There’s different types of love on there—romantic, familial—it’s love encompassed in an album,” he reveals. The project represents not only a culmination of his artistic journey but also a deeper understanding of who he is.
When asked what advice he wishes he had received at the start of his career, his response is simple: “Perseverance trumps all.” His journey is proof of that. From writing a song every day for a year to finding his voice in music that speaks to identity, resilience, and truth, Sebastian has built a career rooted in authenticity.
“I hope this album connects with people, that it helps them heal the way these songs have helped me,” he says. “And of course, I wouldn’t mind a billion streams,” he adds with a laugh. As Sebastian prepares to take his music to more stages and new audiences, one thing is clear—his journey is just getting started.
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Feature image by Norman Wong
