Interview Xam Eitsirhc

Meet Xam Eitsirhc, aka "The Snake Oil Poet," a Métis spoken word artist. Explore his journey through addiction, homelessness, and the vibrant fusion of poetry and music.

1. Can you share the inspiration behind the name "The Snake Oil Poet"? What does it signify for you as an artist?

At first I used to just go by me name, Xam Eitsirhc. But as you's could well imagine, no one could pronounce it (haha).
By's the by, it's pronounced as- "Scam" "ITE-sir-IK.” At that time there were a few spoken word artists/poets that had atag line to their name (The Punk Poet & so's forth). I figured that would make it much easier for folks to pronounce &subsequently find me work.
I love history & growing up in the West, I had always had an affinity for the "old" West & the snake oil salesman personafits me well... strange tinctures, esoteric knowledge, ostracized & living on the fringe of society, but still well received...more examples of the contradictions in me life.
2. Your collection, "Poets Road – The Wurdz," spans three albums with diverse themes. Can you elaborate on the overarching narrative or message you aimed to convey through this autobiographical poetry collection?

The (continuously ineptly named) "Poets Road Trilogy" consists of 4 pieces at the moment, 3 CD's ("Poets Road," "Poets Road II- Delusions of Grandeur" & "Poets Road III- Wrong Side ovda Trax") and one book ("Poets Road- The Wurdz"), which is intended as a companion guide for the CD's. I think the underlying message can best be summed up with an exscript from one of me poems titled after a Buddhist Chant, "Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō"- "And I’s sure you notice How the mud of a river Produces the bloom of the lotus How shit can deliver With beauty in symbiosis"
3. As a poet and spoken word artist of Métis descent, how does your cultural background influence your creative process and the themes explored in your work?

Being Métis influences me thoroughly. Being a member of the Métis Nation adds “community” to me life, a sense of belonging to something no matter where I might be. Retreating out on the land and feeling your blood based connection to it is a much needed balance to me life without which I find disturbing.
In particular me track “Porcupyne Hillz” from me first album (“Poets Road”) is all about being on Métis & Blackfoot land in Treaty 7 Territory with many local cultural areas mentioned by name.
4. Having performed locally, nationally, and internationally, including in the UK, how do you perceive the reception of spoken word poetry in different cultural settings?

I find that quite interesting actually, the differences betwixt countries. And even the distinction separating the regions within them countries is vast, even more so’s between venues in a largely populated city, what is trending in one place and not so’s much in the other. So a hefty population don’t hurt none, just more opportunity that way. But it’s still best to tailor me set list for each show and audience, as overall I find that poetry & spoken word is experiencing a resurgence all over the world.
5. Your latest collection has been published through Friesen Press. Can you tell us about your experience with the publishing process and how it has impacted your artistic journey?

Long (Haha). It’s a very lengthy process that requires reading & re-reading your own work, I’m sure you can imagine how that feels (Haha). But I loved learning the whole procedure and merging it with me own “odd” ways that Friesen Press afforded me the luxury of. As far as impacting on me artistic journey… there are limitations when attempting to break an idea free from it’s internal place of birth to a real world tangibility.

6. The testimonials you've received praise the authenticity and visceral nature of your poetry. How do you approach the balance between personal experience and artistic expression in your work?

Well, in a way I guess I don't. Cause in a way I see them shape each other and become the same thing... the personal experience is the artistic expression and vice versa. Going deeper, I feel every experience is an expression... expressed in the way one lives the experience… and then just as important as the experience itself is the reflection of it… the attempt to understand and decipher the meaning and re-tell it in some form, if only just to yourself. In that way they become intertwined.
I’ll warn ya though… through me own experience… t’is a recipe for madness (Haha).
7. Your music samples have a diverse range, from bluesy bases to punk and classical influences. How do you navigate between these genres, and how does the musical accompaniment complement your spoken word poetry?

I just really like music… sounds. All types and “so called” genres. Me influences stem from the music and words that I grew up with & heard as a young’in that “moved” me, physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. I feel very comfortable in the different styles and easily slide betwixt them.
I feel musical accompaniment deepens the experience so’s much more. As music creates an emotional response alone, when added with emotional words the two can symbiotically pull the listener along prompting, even dictating response on multiple levels.
And of course, having immensely talented musicians to back ya up don’t do no harm (Haha).
8. Your journey involves overcoming challenges like homelessness, addiction, and a unique stint as "The Impaler" in a traveling sideshow. How have these life experiences shaped the content and tone of your poetry?

Completely & thoroughly! All the shit I went through, every little thing in one’s life… whether voluntarily or kicking & screaming, good and bad it becomes that person, their ethos, ideology & general philosophy of the world and their place amongst. It shapes them, makes them who they are. And… I am me poetry.
9. In "Poets Road III - Wrong Side ovda Trax," you mention facing hardships that constitute the human condition. Could you delve into the specific themes and experiences you explore in this particular album?

Of course, there is a lot of reminiscing on that album. Coming to terms with past experiences once thought buried, unrequited love, the loneliness of out living eras & friends and posing questions to irony. Things we all may experience & react differently to, but things we all know… the human condition.
10. Your book, "Poets Road - The Wurdz," serves as a companion guide to the CD trilogy. How does the written format add to or differ from the auditory experience of your poetry?

Well I think with only written word it asks for & requires more centralized concentration… less passivity from it’s audience, one has to want to be there, whereas music has the gift of grabbing folks subconsciously. When added together I think they complement well and help to “round out the story.”

11. Having shared the stage with legendary figures like "The Kinks" and Dr. John Cooper Clarke, how have these collaborations influenced your artistic growth and perspective?

For me it showed acknowledgement & acceptance of me work producing a renewed vigor to be heard. And that me perspective, although slightly “bent” is viable. Keep on keeping on.
12. Your performances include a mix of festival circuits, from "South Country Fair" to exclusive shows like "Poetrology." How do you adapt your performances to suit different audiences and settings?

There was a time when I would do any and all shows that would take me just to survive and keep going. In doing so I gained a lot of insight into the different performance arts & the styles that lay within them. I like to think me performances are pretty versatile from that knowledge, easily swinging from a more vaudevillian/cabaret setting to a music oriented show at the neighborhood watering hole or a “bare bones” straight poetry/spoken word show at the corner bookstore.
13. Your work has been compared to a mix of iconic artists like Lou Reed, Tom Waits, and Leonard Cohen. How do you feel about these comparisons, and which artists have had a significant impact on your artistic style?

Very, very honored, as I am a huge fan of all three of them amazing artists. All of which have had an influence upon me, but I would say I have a special affinity for Lou Reed and I would also add William S. Burroughs. I’ve noticed many a parallel betwixt all three of our lives.
14. The letter mentions overcoming a heroin habit and being clean for the last 8 years. How has this journey of recovery impacted your creative process, and do you explore themes of addiction and recovery in your poetry?

It’s actually been 10 years now. Kicking the habit made me creative process explode to life. When I was an “active” or “practicing” addict life was so busy, looking to score, looking for money to score or just being so high I could only nod out somewhere, which of course was the desired effect. There just wasn’t enough time in the day for me creative process to appear… at least consciously.
Me poetry is all about addiction and the outcome, perhaps sometimes esoterically, but as it’s in me… it’s in everything I do, but only in so’s far as I have experienced it… for me. I don’t begrudge anyone’s path in life, what works for some will kill others.

15. Looking ahead, you mention having more poetry collections ready for publication. Can you provide a glimpse into the themes or directions these upcoming collections might explore?

I am presently in the midst of recording the 5th instalment in the (as I said- the continuously ineptly named) “Poets Road Trilogy,” a 4th CD, simply titled “IV” –referring to both the Roman numeral 4 and “intravenous.”
I reckon there is a lot of searching on that album so’s far. Again working through loss and then attempting to find onesnew place in a new world, in an old town.

The Snake Oil Poet| Metis Artist Xam Eitsirhc Western Canada

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