“Fool Under Water” LP - Ila Barker (2022)
“To be a Fool Under Water is to dive in head first and give your whole heart to something or someone that isn’t deserving of it, and before you know it you’re drowning yourself.” - Ila Barker
Fool Under Water was recorded and mixed at No Fun Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba with engineer-producers Sierra Noble and Rusty Robot. Final mixes from J Riley Hill. Special thanks to session musicians Cody Iwasiuk (drums), John Mark Baron (bass), Sebastian Gaskin (lead guitar), and Hera (background vocals). Mastered by John Paul Peters at Private Ear Recording.
“25” Single - Ila Barker (2022)
“‘25’ is an anthem to those ready to move onto better things. It's a moment to sit with your thoughts, reflect on what you’ve been through, say “enough” and move on. There are many times in life where we can feel totally helpless and like something or someone has its claws dug deep into us. This song is a moment to say “I’m not yours anymore” and take back your power.” - Ila Barker
The music video for “25”, directed by Patrick Shannon of InnoNative Productions, was exclusively premiered on Entertainment Tonight Canada on August 25, 2022, and has since amassed 55.5k views on YouTube.
“Intuition” Single - Ila Barker (2022)
“There have been moments in my journey where my intuition has whispered and moments she’s screamed, but she’s never steered me wrong. It’s tough to decipher the difference between our heart and our mind, but our gut never lies. I like to think of my intuition as generations of ancestors, of my grandmothers, helping me along my way and pulling me back on my path whenever I start to lose my way.” - Ila Barker
“Intuition” charted on the Indigenous Music Countdown for 11 weeks straight, reaching the #1 spot in September of 2022
“Intuition” appeared in a commercial for Travel Manitoba, highlighting the cultures and art of Indigenous peoples in Manitoba.
Ila was also nominated and received honourary mention for the 2023 SOCAN Foundation's TD Indigenous Songwriter Award.
Let Go - Ila Barker & Milan André (2020)
“Truth is, letting go is something to practice. It is a choice to believe that true happiness, success, and achievement are not things we will one day find but rather understanding that it’s about the journey not the destination. It’s about finding joy in the now, and not the one day. If we spend all our time focusing on what could be “down the road”, then we will never have the opportunity to fall in love with the moments of silver linings that exist in all situations. Let Go is a reminder to bring awareness to your breath, to the sound of of your feet as they walk on the ground and what dipping your toes in the water for the first time feels like. For it is in these moments that a quiet whisper of honesty can present itself and change everything.” - Ila Barker
“Let Go” was written and recorded with Montreal based artist Milan André Boronell.
Ila Barker EP (2013)
Ila Barker’s debut self-titled release garnered radio play and streams internationally. Songs “If the Sun Burns Out” and “Home” both charted on the National Indigenous Music Countdown, climbing all the way to hit the number #1 spot.