AIROS Native Network's blog

Kevin Locke (Anishinabe/Lakota) got his start as a Native flutist with songs from a vinyl record titled "Sioux Favorites." From there, he learned to play flute from Elders who knew other traditional Native flute music.

Kevin was inspired by many artists growing up because his mother, Patricia Locke, worked with numerous Native American tribes to establish colleges, promote educational programs on reservations, and aid in the restoration of Native American culture and languages.

Kevin began recording traditional flute music in 1982 and has over a dozen albums of music and stories that he has recorded over the years. He learned the Hoop Dance from an Elder who taught him once in person and then followed up in the form of dreams after the Elder passed away. The Elder had told Kevin that he would travel to see many places and meet many people. Kevin has traveled to more than 80 countries and won the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Fellowship recognizes folk artists who have made an impact within their respective region.

Recently, New Media Specialist Eric Martin talked with Kevin about his upbringing, how he learned to dance the Hoop Dance style and his music.

Interview with Kevin | Kevin's Website | Myspace Page | Reverbnation Page | Subscribe to the Native Sounds Podcast

Jennifer is Oneida and Lakota. She was raised mostly in Wisconsin close to her Oneida culture. Jennifer's Oneida name is Wakoshi.yo and it translates to "a bird with colorful feathers," or "peacock." She participated in the traditional Oneida naming ceremony and was given her name from her grandmother. Jennifer incorporated her Oneida name in her artwork and named her website after it.

Jennifer became interested in classical music after hearing her parents listening to it. When she was young, she also learned how to create Oneida pottery and has since then mastered the craft. She also paints and creates sculptures. She is diverse in the arts and enjoys creating new pieces that reflect her life and culture.

Recently, Production Assistant Tobias Grant (Omaha) spoke with Jennifer. Tobias asked Jennifer about her Oneida culture, her documentary, and her experience as a performing artist.

Interview with Jennifer | Jennifer's Website | Facebook Page | MySpace Page | Twitter Page | Subscribe to the Native Sounds Podcast

Leanne Goose (Dene and Inuvialuit) is from the Northwest Territories of Canada. She grew up traveling with her father’s band and began her musical career at a young age. Leanne's voice mixes soft, sultry and soul into a sound like no one can. Her music can go from blues to rock to country. Leanne loves music and enjoys sharing it with an array of audiences.

Leanne has released two albums Anywhere in 2008 and Got You Covered in 2011. Both Albums have earned Leanne a number of nominations and notoriety. Leanne is an up-and-coming songwriter and the Native American music community has taken notice.

Recently, Production Assistant Tobias Grant (Omaha) talked with Leanne after her performance on Stage 49 during the Gathering of Nations Powwow. Tobias asked Leanne about her sound and experience as a Native musician.

Interview with Leanne | Leanne's Website | Facebook Page | Reverb Page | Twitter Page | Subscribe to the Native Sounds Podcast

Cody Blackbird is Eastern Band of Cherokee of North Carolina and Dakota. Cody is the youngest recipient for "Flutist of the Year" by the Native American Music Awards. He travels throughout the year performing and as a motivational speaker for Native American youth. Cody is a rising star in Indian Country and is experimenting with new things by way of flute songs. Cody collaborated with Frank Waln (Rosebud Sioux) of Nake Nula Waun on their song, “Hear my Cry." And, their song was nominated for "Best Hip-Hop Song" at the Indian Summer Music Awards.

Cody feels blessed that he can travel and share his music. Cody does not consume drugs or alcohol and lives by his traditional values. Recently, Production Assistant Tobias Grant (Omaha) talked with Cody after his performance on Powwow Alley during the Gathering of Nations Powwow.

Interview with Cody | Cody's Website | Reverb Page | Twitter Page | Subscribe to the Native Sounds Podcast

Victoria Blackie is Dineh/Navajo and she won "Debut Artist of the Year" from the Native American Music Awards in 2010. Victoria sings country music and her style is similar to country-music legend Patsy Cline. In 2002, Victoria performed at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Victoria started performing at the age of 8 and she continues to work toward her goal of breaking into the Nashville music scene. Victoria Blackie is a rising star and her first album Wanted Man has won various music awards.

Victoria has accomplished a lot of notoriety as an Independent recording artist and she is anticipating the release of her second album. Her second project pushed her as a song writer and hopes to continue her success as a recording artist.

Recently, Production Assistant Tobias Grant (Omaha) talked with Victoria after her performance on Stage 49 during the Gathering of Nations Powwow. Tobias asked Victoria about her music, her experience as a country music singer and her song: Remember America.

Interview with Victoria | Victorias's Website | Myspace Page | Twitter Page | Subscribe to the Native Sounds Podcast

Julie Cajune is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana. She holds a bachelor's in elementary education and a master's in bilingual education. Julie was the first to teach the Salish language in the school system on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. She is also the executive director of the Center for American Indian Policy and Applied Research of the Heartlines Project. She was profiled in UTNE Reader as one of “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World.”

Julie is the executive producer for Heart of the Bitterroot and also produced and directed the film Remembering the Songs. These projects were undertaken with the assistance of a generous grant awarded to her by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Julie says, “In all of this, I’m hoping to get young people to think about music in a different way, and maybe think about other traditions and learn about them. And for Indian kids, my hope is that they might get curious or involved in the music traditions of their own community.”

Recently, Production Assistant Tobias Grant (Omaha) talked with Julie about her background, her experience as an educator, as well as, her video and music projects.

Interview with Julie | CAIPAR website | Heart of the Bitterroot website

Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. Impichchaachaaha’ is a Chicksaw
name and it translates to “High Corn Crib” in English, it describes an elevated crib used to house the
family’s corn. Tate is very proud of his Chickasaw heritage and includes the family name in his works.

An award-winning composer, Jerod recently won an Emmy^® for The Science in Composing, a documentary about Jerod teaching composition to seven world-renowned research scientists. Their compositions culminated in a public performance at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art by members of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

Recently Production Assistant Tobias Grant (Omaha) spoke with Jerod about his Chickasaw name, composing his first work and his plans for this year.

Listen to the Interview | Jerod's Website | MySpace Page | Twitter Page

Musician Ras K'dee (Pomo Tribe of California) is from the San Francisco Bay area. He is also co-founder of S.N.A.G. Magazine--Seventh Native American Generation--a non-profit organization that aims to work with Native youth and their struggles. K'dee creates opportunities for Native youth to demonstrate their creative skills through various forms of art, music and New Media. S.N.A.G. Magazine also hosts cultural events to promote Native American awareness and culture. K'dee and S.N.A.G. Magazine publish an annual issue featuring all of the past year's events and all proceeds are saved to fund the next project.

One of S.N.A.G. Magazine's accomplishments is their bio-bus--an environmentally friendly bus that runs on bio-diesel.

K'dee is the lead vocalist for Audiopharmacy--an unsigned Hip Hop collective. They have performed in venues across the globe including Germany, Japan and along the West Coast of the United States. Their music is available on MySpace and is a blend of various musical styles. Recently, Production Assistant Tobias Grant (Omaha, Dakota, Cherokee & Dineh) talked with Ras K’dee about his Pomo heritage, S.N.A.G. Magazine and Audiopharmacy.

Interview with Ras K'dee | S.N.A.G. Website | Audiopharmacy Website | Audiopharmacy MySpace | Subscribe to the Native Sounds Podcast

Gabriel Ayala is a member of the Yaqui Tribe of Southern Arizona. He recently won a Nammy Award from the Native American Music Association for Artist of the Year. Gabriel also holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Arizona. His road to success was an outcome of Gabriel’s perseverance. One of Gabriel’s first instructors told him that playing classical guitar music would be too difficult for him, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream. Gabriel would go on to break Native American stereotypes and the glass ceiling for himself, as well as classical Native American guitarists. Gabriel feels that Native American musicians should be categorized outside of the Native American genre. He hopes to one day enter his music into the World Music category and be nominated for an American Music Award or a Grammy. Currently, he is independently recording and promoting his upcoming album.

At the 65th Annual Navajo Nation Fair, Gabriel Ayala was the Arena Director. Recently, Production Assistant Tobias Grant (Omaha/ Sisseton/Dineh/Cherokee) talked with Gabriel Ayala about his music, his passion for teaching and his future endeavors. For more information, visit Gabriel’s website and connect with him on Facebook and MySpace.

Interview with Gabriel | Gabriel's Website | FaceBook Page | MySpace Page | Twitter | Subscribe to the Native Sounds Podcast

Nake Nula Waun (Nah-Kay, New-Lah, Wah- OO) or NNW is a Rap/Hip-Hop group from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Central South Dakota. The name Nake Nula Waun is a traditional Lakota phrase which means “I am always ready, at all times, for anything.” This phrase was used to describe warriors before they went into battle. NNW members consist of Frank Waln, Thomas Schmidt (currently serving a bid in the Marines), Andre Easter and Kodi DeNoyer.

NNW started a buzz on the Reservation when they began performing at youth events; from there they started recording their music. In 2010, Frank Waln was awarded Best Producer by the Native American Music Awards for producing NNW’s first album titled “Scars and Bars.” He was the youngest person to win the Nammy Award. In 2011, NNW won another Nammy Award for Best Hip-Hop Recording on behalf of the same album.

NNW was motivated to compose their first album based on the group’s life experiences. In 2011, Baby Bash and Paul Wall visited the Rosebud Reservation to perform, NNW got the chance to share the stage with both Hip-Hop artists. NNW is gaining attention and continues to promote a substance free lifestyle. For more information about NNW, visit reverbnation.com/nakenulawaun. Production Assistant Tobias Grant (Omaha/Dakota/Dineh/Cherokee) talked with Frank about his group, his experience performing with Baby Bash and Paul Wall and NNW’s performance at the Native American Music Awards.

Interview with Frank | Subscribe to the Native Sounds Podcasts | NNW's Facebook Page | NNW's Reverbnation Page