Shoshona Kish of the Juno Award-winning group Digging Roots enhances her five-foot-three-inch frame with some great shoes and boots. In CBC Aboriginal's ongoing series Accessory to Music, Kish talks about some of her favourites.
It feels kind of strange to talk about shoes when there is so much going on in the world: climate change, child poverty, pipelines, war – and so the list of substantial and worthwhile topical discussions goes on and on. I care about these things more than shoes. Really. It just so happens that I also care a little about my footwear. Shoes won’t solve the problems of the world, but small pleasures matter and I admit it, I do get a little joy in a great pair of shoes or boots.
In my line of work I always want to put my best foot forward, so to speak. I wouldn’t say that I have a diva-worthy collection of shoes, but I do have a few choices in my closet.
My favorites, by far, right now are my black suede Manitobah Mukluks (photo number three above). They are the one pair I never go to a gig or trip without. If I don’t wear them onstage, I have them in the green room to slip into right after the show. They’re the most comfortable and versatile pair I own.
A close second are my Michael Kors black suede and patent leather platform pumps. (I’m not sure if I have the right shoe lingo down, but that’s my best description.) They are my "go-to" pair of heels right now. They give me about six or so inches of height with the platform, and I can dance all night in them. They are badass and comfortable and that’s the perfect combination.
Comfort is key. I’m just not down with walking around uncomfortable, or, worse, walking onstage feeling like I’m going to topple over. For a clumsy girl like me, heels are probably a terrible idea, but the right pair can be almost as good as flats.
I have a red pair of Fluevogs that I have had for years, and they look and feel as good as the day I bought them. I won’t just buy footwear for aesthetics, they have to be made well and feel good. So I don’t make frequent investments [for] new pairs. I hold out for the ones that are just right and then I wear them for a long time.
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