RPM Radio #003

Sister Says - "The Only Way" by RPMfm

The Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island have been dancing and drumming for generations upon generations, but in the 21st century there is a new expression of that dancing and drumming spirit. In our tenth episode, the powwow has been plugged in. Our host Ostwelve asks three artists about their use and creation of electronic music. A Tribe Called Red - the Ottawa-based DJ collective of NDN (Nipissing First Nation), Bear Witness (Cayuga) and Shub (Cayuga) - describe what they're doing in the clubs as a cultural continuence from the powwow, and that the two are not that far apart after all. Using small digital electronics, Cree electro-cellist Cris Derksen can make her cello can sound like a bass, a drum, or even seagulls. Hear how she's creating a new palette for the usually classical instrument and how being a musician is like being a jeweler. Nicholas Galanin, aka Indian Nick, a Tlingit/Aleut visual artist and musician from Stika Alaska, likens contemporary Indigenous electronic music to our history as strong adaptive communities and cultures and finds the mixing of electronic with other forms of music comes naturally. Yes ladies and gentlemen, this revolution has been electrified.

Original Xit - "Ballad of Chili Yazzie" by RPMfm

Shaun Anderson - "All That is Here is Me" by RPMfm

Chris Bose - "Words Are the Devil" by RPMfm

In episode nine, RPM turns up the volume on Indigenous rock music, from metal to punk. Our host Ostwelve talks with Cree/Dene vocalist and guitarist Veronica Johnny from the rock and roll couple The Johnnys about it never being too late to live your dream, and just what can be accomplished when you focus on your career; Ojibwe Wayne Restoule - who rocks guitars, keyboards and vocals in progressive rock band Weaselhead - describes how the stories from the band's family and community came through to create their concept album A Residential School Story, and vocalist and bass player Loren Anthony from the Navajo metal band Bloodline links the warrior in his bloodline to the music he makes today.

Michael Bucher - Don't Forget About me

Discotays are a duo from NM/UT located on Navajo reservation and make lo-fi, no-wave, postpunk music .

Post-rock Experimental

DJ emit_rapture aka Anthony Dorian (Cree) in Calgary, AB

KASP and Savage Family in collaboration of the Savage Warrior project.

In our eighth episode, the great oral tradition of our Indigenous cultures thrives in 21st century song. Here on the west coast, our traditional songs are like a cry, a prayer, or a declaration of intent. In our modern songs, storytelling also plays an important part in the expression of Indigenous people. Ostwelve talks with three singer-songwriters about their personal journeys and what they share through song. Cree artist Eden Fineday recalls when she learned it’s in her blood – that her desire to write music comes from a long line of storytellers in her clan. Cree singer-songwriter and sideman Jason Burnstick describes the surge of energy he feels when connecting through music, and Mohawk/Cree musician Kait Angus who, after growing up not seeing Indigenous role models in music, talks about becoming an artist that young girls in Native communities could look up to.

Laura Ortman - "Blessed By You" by RPMfm

Hip-hop is one of the most popular musical genres in Indian Country. In out seventh episode, we explore why the art of hip-hop has such a strong force in Indigenous music culture. Our host Ostwelve talks with the one and only RedCloud from *** Nation about the shift from Indigneous artists being the "native version" of other artists to standing out as originals. Forerunner in the growing movement of women in hip-hop, Cherokee/Mohawk MC Lakota Jonez weighs in on claiming her place in a male dominated scene. And Cree artist DJ Creeasian draws parallels from b-boy/hip-hop culture to traditional dance, the drum, our elders and our storytelling culture.

Excerpt from Piles of Cougar Pelts is part of a track is that it was recorded live in Santa Fe in the Summer of '11 . From a future release of "songs" composed by PostCommodity

Cindy Paul - "Now He Can Fancydance" by RPMfm

Glad as Knives - "Tears of Fire" by RPMfm

Genevieve Fisher - "Some Letter That You Wrote Me" by RPMfm

White Fire Reed - "The Round Universe" by RPMfm