Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, this week we welcome back from Colusa, California Mr. Richie Ledreagle. His new album “Mile in My Moccasins” is out now.  A nice mix of California Indigenous Hip Hop.  He will be in our spotlight to tell us all about it.

Enjoy music from Richie Ledreagle, G Prescious, Liber Teran, Ozomatli, Morgan Toney, QVLN, Celeigh Cardinal, Nancy Sanchez, Mike Paul, Julian Taylor, Carsen Gray, Annie Humphrey, Alexix Lynn, Melody McArthur, Eagle & Hawk, 1915, Garrett T. Willie, Jim Jacobs, Annie Humphrey, Andrew Saltz, Alexis Lynn, Chantil Dukart, Melody McArthur, Eagle & Hawk, Garrett T Willie, Jim Jacobs, Pretendians Band, Love to Bleed, Stevie Salas, XIT, STOiK, Q052 and much much more.

Visit our website and find out all about us and our programs and visit our SAY Magazine Library with all our featured guests.

OUR INTERVIEW IS 30 MINUTES INTO THE PROGRAM

RICHIE LEDREAGLE IN OUR SAY MAGAZINE FEATURE (2016)

RICHIE LEDREAGLE – TRIBAL

CONTACT INFORMATION

EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: https://indigenouswarriorent.com
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@richieledreagle3581
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/richard.ragudo.737
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ledreagle/
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/richie-ledreagle
BOOKING: [email protected]m

RICHIE LEDREAGLE

ABOUT RICHIE

An artist-musician-activist since the early 90’s, Richie established himself as a unique artist, being of indigenous descent and having created his own niche in the industry. Recently, Richie re-established himself in the world of indigenous Hip-Hop and in particular California Indigenous Hip Hop. With the launch of Indigenous Warrior Enterprise came the Indigenous Warrior Clothing Line, Indigenous Warrior Album, tour and Indigenous Warrior Entertainment. Performances and appearances are geared toward community and culturally related events.

Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, on this show we welcome back from New Mexico, singer, songwriter and Hip Hop performer, G Precious is in the house. Her new album is out entitled “Life.” New hip hop beats from the Ohkay Owingeh Nation.

G Precious, Blue Flamez, Shawnee, Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas, Sultan Of String, Juan Carlos Medrano, Morgan Toney, Emma Stevens, Rayos Laser, Daniela Spalla, iskwe, Nina Hagen, 1915, Auroara Leigh, Hannah Burge, Chantil Dukart, Amanda Rheaume, MATCITIM, Sinematic, Injunity, Logan Staats, Carsen Gray, Hataalii, Jim Jacobs, The City Lines, The Spiritual Warriors, Low Budget Rock Star, Midnight Sparrows, Pretendians Band, Johnny Ray Jones, Murray Porter and much much more.

Look around our site to find out all about us and our programs and visit our SAY Magazine Library with all our featured guests.

OUR INTERVIEW IS 30 MINUTES INTO THE PROGRAM

G PRECIOUS IN OUR SAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

G PRECIOUS “RISE”

CONTACT INFORMATION

EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: (505) 927-945
WEBSITE: www.therealgprecious.com
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/gprecious
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/@GPrecious
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/brenatenciosjp
BOOKING: [email protected]

G PRECIOUS BIOGRAPHY

G Precious born Brenda M. Atencio was raised on the Indian Reservation of Ohkay Owingeh – Village of the Strong (formerly San Juan Pueblo) by her grandmother Gregorita T. Atencio. The 2nd of 8 children, she began creative writing at the young age of 6, identifying herself as BMA Chill – part of a group known as Chill, Funky, Ice which included her cousin Jay Funky and her little brother GMT Ice. BMA Chill continued writing as a means to deal with the dynamics of life – alcoholism, drugs, depression, suicide, and abuse.

At the age of 12, BMA Chill became G Precious. With the deaths of her aunts Sandy and Rose, her older brother Ivan, and her grandmother, it proved difficult for G Precious to deal with their deaths as these were people who all had an influence on her life and were a part of her main support system growing up. Their deaths sparked a new flame pushing G Precious to return to the recording studio, complete and release her first album titled, “On My Shoulders.” This was the heartbreaking, long awaited debut album from G Precious, a Native American woman and upcoming Hip Hop, Pop, R&B Artist; she put her life, her heart, her family, her struggles, the courageous hope and healing process into this album.

     Since the release of “On My Shoulders” G Precious has released several additional albums titled: 

• Hip Hop & Hotdogs Vol. 1 
• Abomination 
• Walk On Water – Evolution 
• ECLECTIC 
• Bow & Arrow Songs of Ohkay Owingeh (Traditional Album)
• The Forgotten (featuring Grammy Award Winner Macy Gray)
• LIFE

G Precious has been recognized, nominated and won several Music Awards spanning across the United States and World 

• Indian Summer Music Award (Nominations 2016, 2017)
• New Mexico Music Award Winner (Multiple Wins) 
• Native American Music Award Winner (2023)
• Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Award (Nominee 2023)
• International Indigenous Hip Hop Award (Nominee 2023)

Her music is played on various radio stations and streaming services across the USA and Worldwide to include local stations – Singing Wire (UNM), Moccasin Wire (KTAO) and KUYI Hopi Radio out in Hopi, AZ.​

G Precious has proven that no matter the life you’ve lived, the struggles you’ve faced, with determination and positive thoughts nothing can stop you.

Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, on this show we welcome from Six Nations of The Grand River, Ontario, country musician Jim Jacobs.  He currently holds the title for “Country Album of the Year” at this year’s SIMMA awards.  His new album is out and is entitled “That’s the way it Goes.” Indigenous County at its best. 

Enjoy music from Jim Jacobs, Ryan LittleEagle, Tom Frear, Ed Koban, Leanne Goose, Shawnee Kish, Jessican Hernandez and the Deltas, Aysanabee, Samantha Crain, Trent Agecoutay, Dustin Harder, Los Amigos Invisibles, Logan Staats, Devon Sants, 1915, Joyslam, Novalima, iskwe, Nina Hagen, G Precious, Richie Ledreagle, Levi Platero, Qacung, Latin Playboys, Eagle & Hawk, Cary Morin and much much more.

Look around our site to find out all about us and our programs and visit our SAY Magazine Library with all our featured guests.

OUR INTERVIEW IS 30 MINUTES INTO THE PROGRAM

JIM JACOBS IN OUR SAY MAGAZINE FEATURE (2023)

JIM JACOBS IN OUR SAY MAGAZINE FEATURE (2017)

JIM JACOBS – OVER FOR GOOD

CONTACT INFORMATION

EMAIL: [email protected]
TEXT/PHONE: 615-400-6822
WEBSITE: jimjacobsmusic.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jim.jacobs.946954
INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jimjacobs5757
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/track/4TzrUodBcudrT0deAzj2T6?si=hMj4NoepREKiNv2WYhIFKg
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@jimjacobs9149
BOOKING: [email protected]

JIM JACOBS BIOGRAPHY

Jim Jacobs was born in the small town of Hagersville Ontario and raised in Smoothtown on the Six Nations of The Grand River. Jim grew up on his Grandparents Beef Cattle/ Cash Crop farm working as a team with his family throughout his childhood and teenage years listening to Country Legends George Jones, Merle Haggard, Waylon, Willie, and Conway just to name a few and learning their songs on the guitar along the way. No matter where he went there was always one of these guys on the radio. Jim was also heavily into sports playing Lacrosse, Hockey, and Football to which he decided to pursue football eventually getting a scholarship to Missouri Valley College and also playing a little Semi-pro. After injuries restricted him from playing further he returned home. Jim soon took up he’s love of writing and performing Country songs in the styles of the legends he always looked up to and being the dreamer he is eventually made a move to Nashville TN. While in Nashville Jim worked tirelessly in construction and transportation to earn a living learning some hard life lessons along the way performing occasionally at a few open mics and playing guitar for another artist. 

After a few years in Nashville, Jim met Mr. Robby Turner who would soon become one of his closest friends and began assisting him with other artists in the studio. 

It was in 2011 Jim got the worst news of his life as his Mother diagnosed with Cancer. Without hesitation Jim left Music City and moved home to help with anything his Mom needed. After winning a few battles over a couple years the disease had taken over and sadly Mrs. Isabel Jacobs had passed. 

Having been raised to never give up and always try his best by his parents and family, he decided it was time to start his own project and put all his time and energy into writing about the life lessons he learned, making many trips back to Nashville over the years to record with his friend Robby Turner on the Turner-Up Recording Label. 

Jim has always believed things happen for a reason, and that things happen when they are supposed to happen, and it is NOW! 

Doing his part in Keeping Country Country with a New Traditional Country sound, Jim has already been getting airplay in the USA and Canada and charting in the top 5 in Australia & UK and number 2 & 3 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown for the first 2 singles “ Over For Good” and “Good Ole Country Boy”and Also winning his first award at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards taking home the Country Album of the year! 

Jim Jacobs is definitely breathing new life into a genre that’s become so repetitive that you can’t tell who’s who!  If you haven’t heard him yet you’re sure missing out

Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, this week we welcome back after 6 long years, we welcome back from Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Carsen Gray. Singer, songwriter, her new album is out this week and we get to help with the release, it’s entitled “Misadventures,” a nice acoustic pop mix.

Enjoy music from Carsen Gray, Shylah Ray Sunshine, Hataalii, Qacung, Irv Lyons Jr, Graeme Jonez, MATCITIM, Joyslam, Samantha Crain, Robert Mirabal, QVLN, The Halluci Nation, Jurassic 5, 2 Minute Break, Pretendians Band, Paul Star, Xit, The Northstars, Juan Luis Guerra, Aterciopelados, Whilk & Misky, Nortec: Bostich + Fussible, G Precious, Fedarro, Migize Nodin, Regan Tucker, Logan Staats, Julian Taylor and Darren Geffre.

Look around our site to find out all about us and our programs and visit our SAY Magazine Library with all our featured guests.

OUR INTERVIEW IS 30 MINUTES INTO THE PROGRAM

CARSEN GRAY IN OUR SAY MAGAZINE FEATURE (2023)

CARSEN GRAY IN OUR SAY MAGAZINE FEATURE (2017)

CARSEN GRAY – MISADVENTURES (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

CONTACT INFORMATION

EMAIL: [email protected]
TEXT/PHONE: 639-998-0056
WEBSITE: www.CarsenGray.com
FACEBOOK: www.Facebook.com/realcarsengray
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/iamcarsengray
BOOKING: [email protected]

CARSEN GRAY BIOGRAPHY

50 miles off the coast of mainland British Columbia, you’ll find Haida Gwaii. This collection of islands serves as home to just shy of 5,000 residents who all contribute to its quiet magic. Seemingly removed from the rest of the world, yet intrinsically connected to its rawest essence, Carsen Gray calls this place home. Born of Haida Indigenous and mixed descent, the award-winning singer and songwriter commutes the peace of her surroundings into a soulful sound spiked with pop universality and a twist of local spirit.

Growing up in Haida Gwaii, Carsen’s mother recognized her talent early on. During a trip to Ontario at nine-years-old, she recorded for the first time. Immediately, mom called her uncle Bobby Taylor who not only fronted Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers, but also famously discovered, mentored, and produced The Jackson 5’s 1969 debut, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, and the follow-up, ABC. Under Bobby’s wing, she performed around Vancouver. Among her fondest memories, he often sat down with her at the piano for hours on end, fostering her passion for gospel and soul.

Inspired by Motown icons as well as Céline Dion, Mariah Carey, and Alicia Keys, she cultivated a signature style of her own steeped in singer-songwriter tradition.

Turning heads, Carsen’s 2017 self-titled debut earned “Best New Artist” at SiriusXM’s Indigenous Music Awards, while 2018’s “Wanna See You” with JUNO Award-nominated DJ Shub received “Best Radio Single.” Along the way, she performed on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and at JunoFest. During 2020, her single “Sah ‘Laana” and its intimate accompanying music video caught the attention of Nettwerk Music Group, and she signed to the label. Her music has received high praise from media outlets like COMPLEX, Exclaim!, PopWrapped, and Cowboys & Indians Magazine who named Carsen a “Next Native American Star.”

Throughout 2021, she assembled her debut EP Each Moment (2022), with her husband, primary collaborator, and producer Joey Stylez. After their kids fell asleep, they often recorded late into the night. “The driving force is gratitude,” she explains. “At this point in my life, I’m in a really good place… I thought about all of the things I’m grateful for and what I’ve been blessed with for my family, for the life I’ve built, and the creative space I have. Being home in Haida Gwaii, I had the opportunity to create at a Zen pace. We’re all born with a God-given gift. I believe I found mine with music. The project is reflective, because I’m talking about God, my partner, love, and home.”

In 2022, Carsen followed Each Moment with the Notes to Self EP, a six-song collection that touches on mental health and self-love through lush acoustics, sparse arrangements, and angelic vocals. According to Carsen, “Giving my listeners something that resonates deeply or gives a sense of hope and peace is always the focus when creating my music.” Since then, Carsen has been busy working on new music, set for release later this year.

CARSEN GRAY IN THE PRESS…

“Her soulful voice crosses the genres of R&B, Pop and Folk—she’s proven that she isn’t limiting herself into any specific box. Her musical talents are tied together with the spirit of her culture and community…”

— COMPLEX

“…just unaffected talent and refreshing earnestness… the best soul-rebooting forest bathing with similarly healing musical accompaniment…”

— Cowboys & Indians Magazine

“Dreamy with echoes, this song creates sounds and a message that’ll make you believe could reach someone who has departed from this earth.  Sung with gratitude, lovely and cathartic.”

 – Americana Highways

“There are some artists in the world that can just soothe you, need it be through their voice, their music or a combination of both. Carsen Gray is one such artist.”

— PopWrapped

“…uplifting and organic songwriting style…”

— Dusty Organ

Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, this week we welcome Producer, Composer and performer, Mauro Martins de Oliveira into our spotlight.  He is the creator of the music-video project Love To Bleed.  Their new album is out entitled “Last Of My Kind,” a new mix a Indigenous Rock from Round Mountain, California. 

Enjoy music from Love to Bleed, Crown Lands, Stevie Salas, Link Wray & His Ray Men, Adrian Sutherland, 1915, Aysanabee, Liber Teran, Azucar Moreno, Latin Vibe, Prentendiands Band, The Bloodshots, Joyslam, Nahko And Medicine For The People, Joey Nowyuk, Soleil Launiere, Kanen, Shylah Ray Sunshine, Stolen Identity, Fiebre Amarilla, B-Side Players, Graeme Jonez, Old Soul Rebel, Shawn Michael Perry, Electic Religious and much much more. 

Look around our site to find out all about us and our programs and visit our SAY Magazine Library with all our featured guests.

OUR INTERVIEW IS 30 MINUTES INTO THE PROGRAM

LOVE TO BLEED IN OUR SAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

“OPEN YOUR EYES” BY LOVE TO BLEED

CONTACT INFORMATION

EMAIL: [email protected]
TEXT: 530-356-7343
WEBSITE: https://lovetobleed.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lovetobleed?mibextid=LQQJ4d
INSTAGRAM: ttps://instagram.com/love_to_bleed_music?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
BANDCAMP: https://lovetobleed.bandcamp.com/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@lovetobleed4609
BOOKING: [email protected]

LOVE TO BLEED BAND BIOGRAPHY

Mauro Martins de Oliveira is the creator and producer of the music and music-video project Love To Bleed. The name itself reflects a lifelong commitment to putting love first and wearing the heart on the sleeve, not just in personal relationships, but also with Mauro’s lifelong commitment to activism and being a father of four. Love To Bleed’s diverse lyrics reflect a vulnerable and exposed human engaging and navigating the broad and complex topics of the awakening global citizen, risking and suffering the consequences.

Mauro was born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and moved to the United States at age three. Later in life, he would re-turn to his Native land while attempting to re-connect with his cardiologist father and the culture he left behind. Mauro was classically trained at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with the same professors his concert pianist mother was studying with. Although his first band in the fifth grade, called The Stingrays, was where he first composed rock music, it was in the In the seventh grade he began to experience spontaneous composition while sitting at the piano. He had taken the techniques and versatility ingrained through classical training and then began to compose music in many genres. Some of that went into perform-ing in Northeast Ohio with several bands Mauro formed throughout his teenage years. With fellow band-mates, Mauro began learning music production and one recording studio after the other was created. One in particular, The Underground, was a hotbed for the northeast Ohio music scene where he teamed up with drummer Tim Houseman to produce and record the area’s talent. Interestingly, years later Tim and Mauro would work together
in Love To Bleed with Tim Recording tracks remotely from his Georgia drum studio.

Mauro went on to further his music production skills at Kent State University and then Lakeland College, also in Ohio. When 20 years of age, while attending Lakeland, he composed for classical piano, string ensembles, march-ing band, and theatre and he danced in the school’s modern dance company. Outside of school he was writing, recording and performing rock and roll. Also while at Lakeland college, the humanities director asked Mauro to apply his production knowledge to the creation of the schools first music production course. He was also teach-ing master classes for his mother’s gifted piano students where he taught them improvisation and useful music theory.
When he finished school, Mauro headed west and based out of Los Angeles where he produced several albums for himself as well as other bands in his own “Studio Lightfield”. While there he was approached by the incoming presidential inauguration committee for Bill Clinton. He composed and recorded the opening ceremony for Clinton’s Inaugural, called the Bells Of Hope. Similarly he was approached by producers working with the 50th anniversary of the United Nations that was taking place in San Francisco. Mauro penned and co-produced the song “21st Century Child” for the children’s choir performing at the event.

During those years Mauro learned of his Native roots and became involved in Native American social
justice issues, began attending local sweat lodges and soon found himself sun dancing with Martin High Bear. Inspired by ceremony, Mauro formed the non-profit organization SOL Communications (Signal of Love) which he runs to this day. SOL began the largest and most successful supply line to the resisting Elders on the Navajo nation, known as the Big Mountain resistance. Today, SOL continues work at Big Mountain and all over the Navajo and Hopi nation by supplying winter firewood, potable water, food and other vital supplies to Elders in the region. SOL also rescues raptors like eagles, hawks, falcons, owls in the northern California region and regularly takes the state of California and local timber companies to court over forest clear-cutting in the region. Other Native-led projects of SOL is the Medicine Lake Defense project and the restoration and teaching of the Achomawi language which was most certainly headed for extinction.

Today Mauro is proficient in music video production, editing and other multi-media skills. He routinely composes and records for his Love To Bleed project, working with Northern California musicians mainly. Mauro has a Spiritual foundation based around music and he considers composing and recording as therapy, companion-ship, and a never-ending flow of consciousness and knowledge. He continues to write symphony and classical pieces from “a need” and also for his grand-daughter (like lullabies etc). He has composed and recorded over a thousand piano pieces and many diverse compositions influenced by music from all over the world. His newest release from Love To Bleed, “Last Of My Kind”, certainly reflects that.

“WOW, epic! Very Spirited. The vocals sound like Bowie, really good!”
-Fritz Heede
Film / Cinema Composer

Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, on this show we welcome from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Pretendians Band, founding members Thomas and Christine, lead singer and drummer, will be in the house.  One of Minnesota’s finest rock bands.  They’re new album is out and it’s called “Stories From the Fire,” a nice mix of Indigenous Rock.  Enjoy music by Pretendians Band, Xit, Blue Mountain Tribe, Aysanabee, Morgan Toney, Bluedog, Johnny Ray Jones, Latin Vibe, Thunderhand Joe and the Medicine Show, Wolfsheart, Jose Feliciano, Hataalii, Graeme Jonez, Janet Panic, Soleil Launiere, Adrian Sutherland, Carsen Gray, Zoe, Yogui, Obie P, Shawnee Kish, Locos Por Juana, B-Side Players, Love to Bleed, Wayne Lavallee, Tom Bee and much much more.

Look around our site to find out all about us and our programs and visit our SAY Magazine Library with all our featured guests.

OUR INTERVIEW IS 30 MINUTES INTO THE PROGRAM

PRETENDIANS BAND IN OUR SAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

PRETENDIANS BAND “ART IS” MINNEAPOLIS PBS

Thomas Draskovic, Čhetán Ohítika (Brave Hawk) is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota, and is Húnkpapa Lakhóta and Wahpé Khúte Dakhóta. He is the lead vocalist of the all native band Pretendians. ART IS…, is a multi-media and events series aimed at bringing visibility to emerging and established artists in Minnesota. The program showcases artists work and gives artists an opportunity to share their inspiration in their own words.

CONTACT INFORMATION

EMAIL: [email protected]
TEXT: 612-800-1699
WEBSITE: www.pretendiansband.com
FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/pretendiansband
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pretendiansband
BANDCAMP: https://pretendians.bandcamp.com
BOOKING: [email protected]

PRETENDIANS BAND BIOGRAPHY

Pretendians Band is a 4-piece Native American rock band that calls Northeast Minneapolis,
Minnesota home. In their own words, “Despite the name of our band, we are not pretending a
thing.” The majority of the band represent the Oceti Ŝakowiŋ (7 Council Fires) of the Dakhota/Lakhota
Nation, hailing from and enrolled with the Standing Rock, Rosebud, and Crow Creek tribes of
South Dakota.

Most of the band’s songs have a societal and political viewpoint, told from a modern
Indigenous perspective, touching on topics about racial profiling to the Native homeless crisis in
Minneapolis, songs about their Dakota ancestors, and many modern Indigenous-centric topics.
Formed in 2014, Pretendians Band draws inspiration from a wide range of rock influences
and has crafted their unique brand of rock music by joining it with indigenous-centric lyrics, told
from a modern Indigenous perspective. The group has made a name for themselves by infusing
their music with a modern indigenous perspective, crafting a dynamic and energy-fueled brand
of conscious rock music.​

At the heart of Pretendians Band’s music is a commitment to celebrating their indigeneity,
history, and most importantly sharing and telling their viewpoint on the challenges and
opportunities presented by the modern world.  

Obstacles/Challenges
“The challenges that we face are unique to being a Native American band. It’s as if we have two
different audiences: We have our Native American/Indigenous audience that we adore, where
we play community events and Indigenous-centric shows. We want to be known to Native
audiences – Being able to bring people together using music as the medium is what we set out
to do. We adore our Native audience.“ Pretendians Band has seen rapid fan growth, especially over the past couple of years.

“The other side to that is that we also play around the Twin Cities metro area within our local
bar scene, which is mainly a Caucasian audience. Show after show and one by one we are
delivering our Native ancestry and message to as many people as we can. And they support us
and are showing up at our Native community shows. And we love it.”

What’s in a Name?
Another challenge that the band faces is the name of the band: Pretendians Band.

The word ‘pretendian’ as any Native/Indigenous person will tell you, is an offensive term.
People who are considered ‘pretendians’ are usually Caucasian folks, who appropriate and
poorly imitate Native culture by wearing headdresses, carrying tomahawks, infringing upon,
and abusing Native spiritual beliefs and falsely claiming to be of Native descent when they are
not. “As a Native American band, we speak out against the appropriation of our culture, of our
history, of our image. Our lyrics speak to that, and it becomes clear that we are against non-
genuine images of our culture.“

“The word ‘pretendian’ itself, brings up a lot of issues for Native people. It’s offensive to hear
about non-Native people trying to step into and to try to represent us when they have no
business being in that space to begin with.” So then, why did a group of actual Native American musicians name their band ‘Pretendians Band’? Initially, deciding to call the band ‘Pretendians Band’ was an inside joke and the mere thought of it was an absolutely stupidly funny idea to the members.
“Ask any band and they’ll almost always tell you that coming up with a band name is probably
one of the harder thing to do as a group.” “At first, we tossed around a bunch of different possible names.“ First, it was ‘Wagon Burners’. It was taken, so Nope. Then, it was ‘The Four Skins’. Stupid and DEFINITELY Nope! Then it was ‘The Dead Injuns’. “We were initially set on calling ourselves ‘The Dead Injuns’. But then our guitarist, Al Googled it to see if it was already in use, and yes – It was in use already by a group of “racist, southern rednecks”. So, nope!”….

“Then someone said, “Hey, wouldn’t it be funny if we called the band ‘pretendians’?” It was so
stupidly funny and inane at the time. And at that time we weren’t playing out much, so we
didn’t have any audience whatsoever, let alone an awesome Native audience that we have
now.” After many heated conversations about it amongst the members of the group, it was definitely
a conversation worth having.

“There seems to be many misunderstanding about how you express yourself as an indigenous
person. What or who is considered a ‘pretendian’? How do we judge who is or who is not a
pretendian? Do we base those judgements on our preconceived notions of white colonists? Or
of our own people?”

“Pretendians Band is here because we are not pretending anything. We are living our truth as
Indigenous people based on our life experiences and by telling our own stories, which may not
fit into the common ignorant narrative put forth by people who may not want the truth; those
same people who tried to exterminate us.”

What’s in a name? Names aren’t the end-all-be-all. At the end of the day what is important is
knowing and understanding what something is and what it represents, not what its label is.
Pretendians Band is certainly not pretending to be Indians. They are the real deal.
“After all is said and done, we have been well received within our Native community. We
absolutely adore our Native audience. We are asked to play at many Native-based shows in
Minnesota and beyond. In August of 2022 we performed at a Native American music festival
called Tribalpalooza in Yakima, Washington. Our music is played regularly on Native radio
programs locally and across the country. Our music has been nominated for the Native
American Music Awards several times. We were even featured in a local TPT television short
called ‘Art Is’.”​ Check them out and see for yourself! Pretendians Band just released their second album called ‘Stories from the Fire’. Their music can be found on all streaming platforms.

Pretendians Band is:
Thomas Draskovic – Lyricist, Singer, Rhythm Guitar
Al Grande – Lead Guitar
Jilleo Candyhands – Bass
Christine Bartyzal – Drummer

Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, this week we welcome back from the Leech Lake Indian Nation, in Minnesota.  Annie Humphrey will be in our spotlight. Her new album has just been released entitled “The Light in my Bones.” A mix of new folk from Nortern Minnesota. 

Enjoy music from Annie Humphrey, Samantha Crain, Hataalii, Dan Linitie, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Nancy Sanchez, Joey Nowyuk, Ed Koban, Ryan LittleEagle, Love to Bleed, Nortec Collective, Cary Morin, Pura Fe, Jim Jacobs, Logan Staats, Darren Geffre, Esther Pennell, Julian Taylor, Shon Denay, Dawn Avery, Chantil Dukart, Aysanabee, Angel Baribeau, Qacung and much much more.

Visit our website and find out all about us and our programs and visit our SAY Magazine Library with all our featured guests.

OUR INTERVIEW IS 30 MINUTES INTO THE PROGRAM

ANNIE IN OUR SAY MAGAZINE FEATURE (2017)

ANNIE HUMPHREY – SPIRIT HORSES

CONTACT INFORMATION

EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: https://www.anniehumphreymusic.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/anniehumphreymusic
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/zaasaakwe
BANDCAMP: https://anniehumphreymusic.bandcamp.com
BOOKING: [email protected]

ANNIE HUMPHREY

ABOUT ANNIE

Growing up on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota, Annie lived in a home filled with voices made of thunder and nothing could stop it.  Her parents were brilliant people individually.  Her father, a singer and musician and her mother an artist and poet.  Together they made sadness.  Each of her parents taught Annie the beautiful things they knew.  They showed her that she carried their gifts in her hands too.  This is how creating art and music came about for her.  This is  what saved her.  This is how she lives now.

Things my dad taught me:

skin a deer, set net, clean fish, make maple syrup, harvest wild rice, play basketball, ride motorcycle, go without if you can’t afford it, play guitar

Things my mom taught me:

draw, paint, sew, write, laugh, wonder, forgive

Annie has 4 children and 2 grandsons.  She has a handsome, Indian, horseman husband.  They inspire her spirit and her art.