A Siksika Nation musician, organizer, and community leader based in Alberta, Carlin Black Rabbit moves between the stage and public service. Known for being behind the drums for long-running Siksika punk band No More Moments and other bands like Iron Tusk and 1876, Black Rabbit has built a career rooted in heavy music and community connection.
Offstage, he has served on the Siksika Band Council and as chair of the Siksika Board of Education, advocating for youth and strengthening educational initiatives. He also served as the Siksika chief and council for three consecutive terms, as one of the youngest councillors in the community. Black Rabbit works as a community broker, creating partnerships, including collaborations with Sled Island, to open doors for Indigenous artists. Whether through music, policy, or grassroots organizing, his focus remains the same: building tangible opportunities for the next generation.
- “When I organized Moments Fest, I wanted to bring programming to my community because there was a big gap, you know, teenagers not having accessibility or affordability to attend concerts in the city was a big factor. So I’m kind of like looking out for the youth that like punk rock brings something to the community that’s in their backyard, as opposed to hitchhiking to Calgary or trying to save up money when there’s like other real social costs out there that we have to worry about, like food or rent or whatever. Our number one rule is that if you want to come to the festival, and can’t afford it. Still come, and we’ll make sure you get in. We don’t want to turn anyone away. We celebrate our 10th year this upcoming summer.”
- “I’ve always been drawn to the beat of the drum. And, it’s kind of a full circle for me because I’m actually playing an instrument that my people had for centuries. So I feel like it all ties together in some way, like percussion and the beat…it goes back to the heartbeat, and I feel like it has this really cool connection to being an original person of the land. Yeah, now that I speak it out loud, I see all the connections. I’ve been playing since I was like 13, I’m 33 now, so like 20 years. I love a lot of death metal and hardcore, but I also love shoegaze and dream pop. I’ve really been drawn towards like old folk and country as of late. So it really just depends on how I’m feeling. I could never imagine my life without music. If I wasn’t doing it, I don’t know, maybe I would be a wrestler or something. Yeah, I love wrestling, but I suck at sports.”
- “I’m hooked on The Palomino. I’ve been going there for the past 15 years. The pulled pork or the brisket is my go-to. I love playing shows at the Palomino too, because I’ve realized intimate shows are the best. When you’re not so distant from the crowd, I think you’re more locked in as a musician. I love just being in a crowded room, seeing all your friends, or meeting new friends. I love Dickens too; my first job was actually at Dickens. When I was 18, I used to be a door guy there. And The BLOX, I have been loving it there. Also, Loophole Cafe is such a great space. Loophole kind of reminds me of the early shows I used to do on the reserve. We used to just have a room where we host shows, with a vibe similar to Loophole, and I love the coffee there. I usually go for their Americano.”
- “I think that being punk is about taking care of one another. It’s about really being aware of yourself and doing what’s right when no one’s looking.” —GL
