Issue 126 – Mamarudegyal MTHC, Janet Panic Ryan LittleEagle
HOLISTIC & HEALTH ISSUE

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MAMARUDEGYAL MTHC


JANIC PANIC


RYAN LITTLEEAGLE


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Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, this week we welcome from Gallop, New Mexico, Tom Bee into the Spotlight. He’s the creator of the Native Rock and Roll band XIT. Two time GRAMMY winning producer and entrepreneur. Since 1970 he has produced 14 albums under his belt.
Enjoy music from XIT, Chris Ferree, Mike Bern, The Spiritual Warriors, Tha Yoties, Link Wray, QVLN, Eagle & Hawk, The Mavericks, Pura Fe, Cary Morin, Jim Boyd, Sherman Alexie, Celeigh Cardinal, John Trudell, Freightrain, Shelley Morningsong, STOiK, Jah’kota, Plex, Drezus, Itz Lil Lee, Keith Secola, Garret T. Willie, Crystal Shawanda, Old Soul Rebel, Levi Platero, Blue Mountain Tribe and 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.
Adopted at birth, Tom Bee was born and raised in the reservation border town of Gallup, New Mexico. Best known as founder and featured artist with the popular 1970s music group XIT, Bee’s composition “(We’ve Got) Blue Skies” was recorded by Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 on their worldwide hit album “Maybe Tomorrow.” This led to an artist, writer, and producer contract with Motown Records. While under contract with Motown, XIT released two widely acclaimed albums entitled “Plight of the Redman” and “Silent Warrior.” A single from the latter album entitled “Reservation of Education” went on to become a top 5 selling record in France and other European countries in 1973. The political overtones of Bee’s lyrics kept them from ever achieving superstar status in the United States, but the group developed a cult status in America and Europe, which has allowed their music to survive for the last thirty years.
In fact, one major newspaper once wrote, “These guys are to the Indians like the Beatles were to the White folks.” Amid a legion of loyal fans throughout the world, their live stage presentations drew comparisons by the media to the raw energy of the Rolling Stones. While at Motown, Bee also wrote and produced the title song “Joyful Jukebox Music” for Michael Jackson’s Swan Song album on the label. He also worked with Smokey Robinson on his first solo album “Smokey.” In 1979, one of his compositions “Red Hot” was a top Billboard dance hit by Taka Boom (Chaka Khan’s sister), and in 1985, U.K. Rockabilly sensation Shakin’ Stevens recorded Bee’s “Don’t Be Two Faced” on his highly successful album, “The Bop Won’t Stop.”
Through the years Bee’s compositions have appeared on numerous other albums and special projects as well. In 1989, Bee formed Sound of America Records (SOAR), in the garage of his home. In 1995, Bee formed yet another company, SOAR Distribution LTD for the sole purpose of providing his clients with one-stop music from other independent labels and artists also producing Native American music. In 1999, SOAR purchased all three buildings that they had been leasing since 1991 to house their labels, publishing, and studio operations. SOAR was also enlisted as the exclusive Native American distributor for the Robbie Robertson records “Music for the Native Americans” and “Contact From the Underworld of Redboy,” on Capitol Records, and the multi-million seller “Sacred Spirit” on Virgin Records.
SOAR comprises three publishing companies and five different labels; SOAR, Natural Visions, Warrior, Dakotah, and Red Sea. SOAR now has over 300 quality titles of both contemporary and traditional music. Bee has said all along that SOAR was not the first company to record Native American music, but they were the first to take it to the next level. SOAR was, however, the first company to release traditional Native American music on compact disc. He was once quoted as saying “we took Native American music out of the trading posts and into the streets.” SOAR’s motto has always been “Quality titles, not quantity of titles.”
Bee’s radical efforts over a ten-year period helped in persuading NARAS to finally create a Native American Folk category in the Grammy’s. Besides numerous gold albums, Bee has received many awards, including the Eagle Spirit in 1994 from the American Film Institute in San Francisco and The Will Sampson Award in 1996 from the First Americans in the Arts. In 1998, Bee received the Producer of the Year Award from the First Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMMY’s). The following year he received the NAMMY’s Lifetime Achievement Award (1999). In 2001, Bee received a Grammy as Producer for Best Native American Music Album in the category’s inaugural year.
Mayor Martin Chavez, of the City of Albuquerque, proclaimed July 27, 2002 to be “Tom Bee Day,” in recognition of Bee’s accomplishments within the music industry as a recording artist, songwriter, record producer and multi-award winner. On February 8, 2003, Bee received the Lifetime Achievement Award from First Americans In The Arts in Beverly Hills, Ca. Most recently, on February 19, 2003, in New York City, Bee received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Four Directions Entertainment. Recent achievements include a 2004 Grammy nomination for his album “Reveal His Glory.” Bee won a Grammy for producing the 2004 Grammy winning record “Flying Free” by Black Eagle.
Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, today we welcome back from Sechelt, BC, Janet Panic is in the house. Her new album out entitled “A Mighty Rip Through the Page of My Life.” Singing us Indigenous Folk, just the way we love it.
Enjoy music from Janet Panic, Celeigh Cardinal, Ozomatli, Kinky, Jalmy, Joey Stylez, Joel Wood, DJ krayzkree, Dancin Dave, Anyi, Soleil Launiere, Anachnid, Shylah Ray Sunshine, Kwiat, Joey Nowyuk, Digging Roots, Dan L’initie, Blackbird, Quiltman PaulStar, Def-i, Ariano, Q052, Xit, Stevie Salas, MATCITIM, The Johnnys, Kevin Guteirrez, Blue Moon Marquee, Boogey the Beat, Piqsiq, Aysanbee, Qacung, Airjazz and 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.
EMAIL: janet[email protected]
WEBSITE: http://www.janetpanic.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/janetpanicmusic
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mspanic/
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/janet-panic
BANDCAMP: https://janetpanic.bandcamp.com/album/a-mighty-rip-through-the-page-of-my-life
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/@JanetPanic
BOOKING: janet[email protected]
anet Panic is a Bohemian-Métis folk-pop artist. Based in Sechelt, BC, she is an award-winning singer-songwriter, with more than four solo albums under her belt and multiple TV appearances on major Canadian networks. In the past years, her captivating solo and band performances have been seen on six telecasts on three different Canadian national networks: Global, CTV and APTN. She was nominated for a 2011 Canadian Folk Music Award as well as an Aboriginal People’s Choice Award in 2011, and her 2011 release, Samples, garnered her Best Folk Album at the 2012 APCMAs and a Nomination in the 2013 Juno awards.
Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, today we welcome from Vancouver, British Columbia. Mamarudegyal. Singer, Producer and Entrepreneur. She has just released her new album out entitled “ABREACTION.” A nice soothing mix of Indigenous Neo Soul and R&B.
On this show, enjoy music from Mamrudegyal MTHC, Shylah Ray Sunshine, Stolen Identity, Tribalistas, One Way Sky, Hataalii, Logan Staats, Digging Roots, Aysanabee, Ray Zaragoza, Irv Lyons Jr, Indigenous, Garret T. Willie, Crystal Shawanda, Blackbird, QuiltMan, Mike Bern, Ryan LittleEagle, Tom Frear, Chris Ferree, Eagle & Hawk, The Halluci Nation, John Trudell, Joy Harjo, Pure Fe, Martha Redbone, Marx Cassity, Kwiat, Janet Panic, Silla, Rise, Tanya Tagaq and 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.
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: https://rudegang.wixsite.com/mamaempress
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Mamarudegyal
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mamarudegyal/
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/mamarudegyal
BANDCAMP: https://mamarudegyal.bandcamp.com/album/mrg-ep
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@Mamarudegyal
BOOKING: [email protected]
Diana Hellson, AKA Mamarudegyal MTHC (MRG), is an Afro-Indigenous interdisciplinary artist and music industry professional working primarily in the Hip Hop and Film, based in Vancouver, BC. Born in Calgary, AB Diana is a proud member of the Siksika Nation where she played several of her early shows
performing covers.
At 3, Diana was already expressing an interest in Dancing, Singing and Performing, subsequently spending her childhood and youth exploring her many creative endeavours. Her mother Charlene Hellson was an active member of the indigenous arts community, often bringing Diana to Indigenous arts events.
Charlene supported Diana through struggles in school, often enrolling her in arts training such as Film, Animation, Dance, and Music. Together they participated in “The Vagina Monologues” with Michelle Thrush, Stacey Da Silva and Tantoo Cardinal. During her time as a Hip Hop Dance Teacher at the local YMCA Indigenous Drop ins (2012), Diana connected with Indigenous Rapper Lil Smokey and became his backup dancer with two friends, and would join him in opening for Tech N9ne and
Winnipeg’s Most.
Diana would continue to develop her interdisciplinary repertoire by joining Black Theatre company “Elipsis Tree” and training in Krump Dance with Empirical Freedom Family, where she was given the name “Mamarudegyal” by Oliver Reyes (Reignmaker). Her first shows billed as Mamarudegyal came in 2013, introducing her to Psych Ward Kidz’ who brought her along to perform their song
“Dark Secrets.”
Relocating to Vancouver, BC in 2014, Mamarudegyal added the “MTHC” and hit the ground running, playing her first show at Surrey’s “Olympia” only 15 days after landing. MRG would perform at the legendary venue weekly, solidifying her place in the community, witnessing early performances by artists like Snak The Ripper and Merkules. Settling in to the music ecosystem, MRG begun to notice and call out disparities permeating the music ecosystem, creating boundaries for artists from marginalized communities. In response, MRG created a company that could act as a resource for those very artists; Diana has made significant waves in the music industry since founding Rudegang Entertainment in 2014.
2017 brought the win of two Fraser Valley Music Awards and the following year, she continued her winning streak by securing 1st place in Vancouver’s Shindig Battle of the Bands against 26 Vancouver bands. She capped this off by destroying the competition at Battle of the Iron Mic, taking home a win against 3 other Vancouver Hip Hop artists.
Supporting and facilitating the funding, production and release of projects for other musicians from 2017 to 2023, Diana found herself suddenly in the role of Music Executive. Simultaneously, Diana was dedicating more time to her work as filmmaker, producing music videos and documentaries including The Foundation: Indigenous Hip Hop in Canada (2018). Commissioned by the Weltkulturen Museum
of Frankfurt, Germany, Diana created the short documentary “Let Them Speak” (2020).
Mamarudegyal MTHC had a great year in 2021, being featured in Complex Canada Magazine and CBC Music’s “Beyond the Six”, and headlining night two of “Giiwewich” International Indigenous Music Summit’s Virtual Showcase. After a long wait, Mamarudegyal MTHC released her Music Video for “Pogo”, Directed by Matt Leaf (Dakota Bear, Drezus “Circles”, K-Os “the Dog is Mine”, and More) in
October 2023. January 2024 brought the release of MRG’s LP “ABREACTION”, funded by First Peoples Cultural Council.
Much of Diana’s work involves dismantling colonial filters that create these disparities, thus stirring up controversy and discussion over the years, causing her to become a target for Incels and Racists online. Despite the discomfort, MRG held strong on her views of the issue at hand and the solutions she saw possible, and after being noticed by music industry professionals for her progressive work, MRG began consulting, paneling and jurying for arts organizations like ArtStarts, FPCC,
Music Publishers Canada, CreativeBC, City of Vancouver, and even The Junos in 2022 when she became the 3rd Executive Producer for the International
Indigenous Hip Hop Awards. The same year, she attended the A E West program hosted by Canada’s Music Incubator, spending five weeks at the National Music Centre in Calgary, AB, to hone her skills and expand her knowledge.
Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, this week we welcome from Rapid City South Dakota, Ryan LittleEagle is in the house. Singer, songwriter and storyteller. His 5th album is out entitled “Native Americana,” Indigenous country folk tunes at it best. Visit Ryan on his homepage at www.ryanlittleeaglemusic.com.
Enjoy music from Ryan LittleEagle, Tom Frear, Don Amero, Janet Panic, Diogo Strausz, Voxmana, Natalia Clavier, Bomba Estereo, Dan L’intie, Gary Small & the Coyote Bros, Joey Pringle, Indian City, nehiyawak, Mike Paul, Graeme Jonez, Garret T. Willie, QVLN, Pretendians Band, Xit, Blue Mountain Tribe, Love to Bleed, Nathan Cunningham, Mike Bern, Dustin Harder, One Way Sky, Phyllis Sinclair, Berk Jodoin, Brian Hedges and 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.
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: https://www.ryanlittleeaglemusic.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RyanLittleEaglemusic/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/littleeagle_music/
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/indigenous-in-music/ryan-littleeagle
BANDCAMP: https://ryanlittleeaglemusic.bandcamp.com/track/remember-me-tashunka-witko
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/dreamwalkereagle
TICTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanlittleeagle
BOOKING: [email protected]
Ryan LittleEagle, a traveling Indigenous singer-songwriter and musician, weaves together the traditional and the contemporary, the ancestral and the modern, into the vast tapestry of American music. A product of Canyon Lake, Texas, Ryan’s journey traverses the heartlands of America, from the open plains of the Midwest to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Yet, his spirit finds itself at home outside the Black Hills of South Dakota, where the echoes of his ancestors resonate through the prairie.
Inspired by storytellers like Johnny Cash, George Strait and Jason Isbell, he carved a niche in the realm of Country and Americana music, blending the sounds of his Native heritage with tales of the human experience. For over 15 years, he has roamed the roads, sharing his soul-stirring compositions with audiences across the nation, playing hundreds of shows yearly.
Sharing stages with legends of Native music, Ryan has garnered accolades and awards, including the prestigious Native American Music Awards and the Canadian Indigenous Music Awards. Additionally, his musical prowess was recognized by the Taino Tribal Nation for his representation of the community through his music.
With five studio albums to his name, including his recent debut singer-songwriter album Native Americana, LittleEagle’s musical legacy continues to evolve, resonating with audiences far and wide. His latest single, “Til I’m Gone“; epitomizes his enduring commitment to his style of storytelling and melody.
Beyond the musical stage, LittleEagle’s role as a cultural educator and traditional dancer underscores his reverence for his heritage. He strives to continue to raise awareness of Indigenous issues, championing the voices of his people with grace and dignity.
In essence, Ryan LittleEagle stands as more than a musician: he is an ambassador of his community, a custodian of tradition, and a bridge between worlds. Through his music, he invites us to embrace the richness of culture through the power of storytelling and song.
Since its founding in 1981 and first residency period in 1983, Ucross has grown into a vital and relevant resource for artists of all backgrounds and disciplines, who come to Ucross from all over the United States and the world. The uninterrupted time and space we offer is increasingly rare, and the connections built within our community are of great importance to artists. We are honored that our artist residency program plays a dynamic, invaluable role in the creative life of our country.
Ucross strives to provide a respectful, comfortable, and productive environment, freeing artists from the pressures and distractions of daily life. Each year, we provide residencies to approximately 115 individuals. Residencies range from two weeks to six weeks in length. At any one time, there are up to ten individuals in residence, typically four writers, four visual artists, and two composers.
Ucross provides each artist with living accommodations, meals, work space, and uninterrupted time so that the artists can focus on their creative process. Lunch and dinners are prepared Monday to Friday by a professional chef with ample provisions on hand for breakfasts and weekends. Lunches are delivered to individual studios; group dinners take place at 6 p.m. Towels and all linens are provided, as is weekly housekeeping for bedrooms. There is cell phone service and wireless internet throughout residency facilities. Residents are responsible for providing their own working materials and for their travel to Sheridan, Wyoming. There is no charge for a residency. The residency program is open to visual artists, writers, composers, choreographers, interdisciplinary artists, performance artists, and collaborative teams. Applicants must exhibit professional standing in their field; both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
Learn more about the dedicated Fellowships for Native American Visual Artists and Writers:
https://www.ucrossfoundation.org/native-american-fellowships.htmlThere are two residency sessions each year.The open call for applications for Spring 2025 (February through early June) opened May 1, 2024, with a deadline of July 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. MT.
The open call for applications for Fall 2025 (August through early December) will open November 1, 2024,
with a deadline of January 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MT.
Learn more: https://www.ucrossfoundation.org/residency-program.html
Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, this week we welcome from the Treaty 5 Territory, Manitoba. Rhonda Head is in the house. Award winning singer, songwriter, and performer. She has just released her four album, entitled “Waniska.” Read all Rhonda on her homepage at https://www.rhondahead.com.
Enjoy music from Rhonda Head, Bomba Estereo, Soleil Launiere, Stolen Identity, Quantum Tangle, Nahko and Medicine For The People, QVLN, Morgan Toney, Emma Stevens, VOXMANA, Natalia Clavier, Celeigh Cardinal, Melody McArthur, Electic Religious, Elastic Bond, Graeme Jonez, Os Mutantes, Anachinid, Kawehi, Indian City, The Jerry Cans, The Mavericks, Ryan LittleEagle, Marx Cassity, MAMARUDEGYAL MTHC, B-Side Players, Digging Roots 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.
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: https://www.rhondahead.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/opaskwayak
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/rhondavhead/
LINKEDIN: linkedin.com/in/rhonda-head-tcp-evc-71b29624
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/tansi_1001
BANDCAMP: https://bandcamp.com/shiggy315
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/@RhondaHead315
TICTOK: @rhondavhead
BOOKING: [email protected]
Seventeen-time international award-winning Mezzo-Soprano vocalist, Rhonda Head is from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba.
Rhonda will be releasing her fourth full-length album on September 9, 2023, Waniska. Rhonda’s album is emotional and spiritual and it also brought great joy. The album is about loss and finding happiness again – Waniska means to rise up or awaken in the Cree Language. This album is dedicated to my late brother Chris.
Rhonda won a GOLD LIT Talent Music Award – Best Music Video – Island Dreams 2023, a PLATINUM LIT Talent Music Award – Best Female Vocalist – Music is The Medicine 2023 and an International Music Award CLOUZINE – Best Native American Song- Music is the Medicine 2023 Fall since releasing WANISKA.
Rhonda won a 2022 LIT Talent Music award for her song Kisakhitin I Love You for Best Collaboration Music Rhonda won a 2022 LIT Talent award for her single 500 Years for Best Social Impact Song and for Kisahkihitin I Love You for Best Collaboration. She also won a 2022 One World Music Award for her single 500 Years, and a Global Music award for Coming Home for Best Protest Song. She is the official recipient of Global Music Awards for a pair of her most celebrated songs. Judged by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning artists, Head’s impactful anthem, 500 Years, received a Bronze Medal in the Protest Music category. The lyrics share her emotional journey, moving through the pain of being an intergenerational Residential School Survivor.
“The song dives into the pain of that experience, for me and for all of my people that have endured ‘500 years of pain’,” shared Head. “But the song also shows our incredible resilience and how we are finally coming together, all of humanity, to love and to be kind to one another, despite our differences and our past.”
Recorded with the Prague Orchestra, Head’s fan-favorite Kisahkihitin I Love You, also landed a Bronze Medal in the Contemporary Classical category. This recognition adds to her lengthy list of milestones including singing at New York’s Carnegie Hall (2016) and Lincoln Center (2014), judging the GRAMMY Awards regional roots category and attending the Los Angeles Award Show (2020), and sitting at a Board Member at Canada’s largest rights management organization,SOCAN.
“Rhonda shines with her fans and also as a leader in the North American music industry,” says JUNO Award-winning rock icon and band leader of Eagle & Hawk, Vince Fontaine. “Rhonda has trained and performed internationally. Her lyrics touch the soul. She is an intergenerational Residential School Survivor. She is an inspiration in so many ways and continues to be a voice and a beacon.” Nominations
Kisahkitin I Love You – 2022 LIT Talent Award – Best Collaration
500 Years – 2022 LIT Talent Award – Best Social Impact Song
Coming Home – Global Music Award 2022 for Best Protest Song
500 Years – One World Music Award for Best Vocal Single 2022
Fallings Not Goodbye Global Music Award – Pop 2022
Kisahkihitin I love You (with Prague Orchestra) Global Music Award – Best Contemporary Classical 2021
500 Years – Global Music Award – Best Protest Song 2021
Kisahkihitin I Love You – Nominated for GMA Gospel Award 2020
2019 Women of Inspiration Award winner – Indigenous Leadership Award
Kisahkihitan – Nominated for Indian Summer Music Award – Best Spiritual 2019
500 Years – Global Music Award for Protest Music 2019
Kisahkihitan – 2017 Global Music Award Bronze Medal Winner
Kisahkihitan – Nominated for two Native American Music Awards – Best Female & Best Gospel/Inspirational 2017
Kisahkihitan – Won Indigenous Music Award for Best Inuit, Indigenous Language or Francophone Album 2017
Nikumoon – Nominated for the Native American music Awards in Salamanca NY for Best Female and Best Gospel/Inspirational Nov 14, 2014
Nikumoon – Nominated for the Covenant Awards in Vancouver BC for Aboriginal Song of the Year Nov 13, 2014
Nikumoon – Won Best Spiritual Award Indian Summer Music Award in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – 2014
Nikumoon – Won the Best Canadian Indigenous Artist West Coast Native American Music Awards, Los Angeles, CA August 2014
Proud Century – Compilation CD honouring Veterans 2014
Kayas – Won the Best World – Native American Music Awards 2011
Her book Mezzo-Soprano – Memoirs of a Rez Girl got a 5 Star review from Red Headed Book Lover – Mezzo Soprano: Memoirs of a Rez Girl is a poignant, moving, unique, and inspirational memoir that will take readers on a thought-provoking journey while entertaining them at the same time! Mezzo Soprano: Memoirs of a Rez Girl is written by author Rhonda Head and Head throughout Mezzo Soprano: Memoirs of a Rez Girl will take her readers on a journey through her life. The journey the reader will encounter is incredible as well as eye-opening and her story will make you feel a host of different emotions from start to finish! That is why I already recommend this lovely book, however, if you need more convincing then continue to read to learn more!
Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K. On this show we welcome from the Osage Nation, Marx Cassity is in the house. Singer, Songwriter and performer, their new album is out, entitled “2 Sacred.” A nice mix of “Acoustic Soul Rock.” Read all about them at https://marxcassity.com.
Enjoy music from Marx Cassity, Brianna Lea Pruett, Natalia Clavier, Aysanabee, Raye Zaragoza, Ryan LittleEagle, Tom Frear Caleigh Cardinal, Sebastian Gaskin, PaulStar, Mike Bern, The Jerry Cans, The Johnnys, Stevie Salas, The Bloodshots, Jota Quest, Q052, David Strickland, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Jalmy, Rhonda Head, Kwiat, Shon Denay, Big Skoon, Chantil Dukart, Jamie Coon, Mamarudegyal MTHC, B-Side Players, Shauit, Sly Mestokosho, Blackbird, Garret T. Willie, Ed Koban, 1915 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.
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: https://marxcassity.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/marxcassitymusic/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/osagemarx/
BANDCAMP: https://marxcassity.bandcamp.com/album/2sacred-marx-cassity
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/marx-cassity/sets/2sacred-full-album-marx-cassity2023
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/@marxcassity
BOOKING: [email protected]
Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer artist Marx Cassity (Osage/Kaw) delivers inspired synth-driven electronic rock songs with Native nuances, that speak to overcoming hardship through resilience, in connection to nature, humor, love, compassion, spirituality, and heritage. Guided by spirit, ancestors, and on a mission to help people embrace their identity, Cassity is constantly exploring and evolving as an artist and a person. Called “a songwriter to be reckoned with” by No Depression, they’ve recently added an X to their given name Marca, in honor of gender diversity which has existed throughout all of history.
Cassity is an enrolled citizen of the Osage Nation, with Kaw, Saponi, Susquehannock, as well as French, Scottish-Irish, Irish, English, and German heritage. They are named for their Osage Congressman grandfather Mark Freeman, Jr. and grew up on the Osage reservation on the land of their great-grandmother, original allottee Grace Lessert Freeman who taught them a love of playing piano. Drawn to the instrument from a very young age, they ended up studying classical piano all the way to college, playing french horn in their high school band, while surviving closeted queerness in the bible belt in the era of the AIDS Crisis by spinning vinyl records of artists such as Queen, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics, David Bowie, and Prince.
Happily labeled a tomboy in the 1970s, Cassity ran around barefoot in the dirt, recording the sounds of thunder on a cassette tape recorder. However, coming out as queer in the late 1980s didn’t go as well, leading them to drop out of music school to become a nurse in the AIDS crisis, and ultimately a trauma therapist specializing in Native and 2SLGBTQ+ resilience.
During the pandemic lockdown, Cassity was working as a trauma therapist for Native American and LGBTQ+ clients when they read that 33% of Native American LGBTQ+ youth attempted suicide in 2020. While initially stunned by that number, it ended up serving as inspiration for their forthcoming album 2Sacred. Having been one of those youth, Marx wanted to share their story to help people feel less alone and more confident in authentically expressing who they are. “After hearing that disturbing statistic, my mission for creating this project was born: If I can make art that even one queer or trans person hears, or sees, and they stay alive and love themselves and their identity more because of it, mission accomplished.”
The result is Cassity’s fourth studio album, 2Sacred a collection of 10 songs. The album was funded by two Native American non-profits , the NDN Collective Radical Imagination grant, as well as the Osage Nation Foundation artist grant. The album explores themes of what it means to be Two-Spirit – a LGBTQ+ person with Native American heritage – and one who has learned to love and accept themselves and pursue art as an act of devotion and decolonization. For this highly vulnerable material Marx Cassity was grateful and proud to work with Wolf Carr for vocal production at The Hallowed Halls Studio alongside engineer Justin Phelps who created an environment of safety and groundedness, both as solid allies to a Native American/ Indigiqueer artist.
Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, this week we welcome back from Toronto, Ontario, Veronica Johnny is in the house. Songwriter, performer and the lead singer in her band “The Johnnys.” They have just released a new remix of tunes from their classic album “Leathers and Feathers,” Bringing us some High Energy Indigenous Rock n roll featuring Stevie Salas and Kevin Gutierrez.
Enjoy music from The Johnnys, Stevie Salas, Kevin Gutierrez, Midnight Sparrows, Levi Platero, Indigenous, Sebastian Gaskin, Old Soul Rebel, Ozomatli, Joey Nowyuk, Joyslam, Banda Black Rio, Jalmy, Joey Stylez, Melody McArthur, Phyllis Sinclair, Rhonda Head, Injunuity, Robert Mirabal, Indian City, La Ley, Leonard Sumner, Hataalii, Janet Panic, Mamarudegyal, Stolen Identity, Blackbird, The Bloodshots and 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.
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: https://www.thejohnnys.com
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/@thejohnnysrock
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thejohnnysofficial
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/quentincondo052/
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/thejohnnys/im-electric-the-johnnys
BANDCAMP: https://thejohnnysrock.bandcamp.com/track/motorcycle-mama
BOOKING: [email protected]
The Johnnys are an Ontario-based duo that deliver three-minute original songs of jet-fuelled
rock’n’roll, with cheeky lyrics and anthemic choruses! The duo performs with a full band.
Veronica’s culture and heritage is reflected in Indigenous influences on topics of the
environment, social justice, and political change. Veronica is a proud member of the Athabasca
Chipewyan First Nation.
Dave and Veronica Johnny (The Johnnys) have been crossing cultural boundaries by blending
traditional Indigenous values and language with high voltage chords and thumping melodies.
Their four independently released albums were all nominated for national music awards. Their
all-Cree single, Nisakihtan Kiya Kisoskatowin (I love your heat) was on the Indigenous Music
Countdown for 11 weeks and reached the Top 10.
Released in December 2023, The Johnnys’ 5th album – Leathers and Feathers (Salas/Gutierrez
Remixes) – was produced by world-renowned guitarist Stevie Salas (with engineer Kevin
Gutierrez). The EP features original cover art by Dave, who creates images under the name
Part Raven.
The album showcases a climate emergency song called Frog in a Pot (Salas/Gutierrez Remix)
which is reflective of the forest fire evacuations of Veronica’s home communities in the NWT &
northern Alberta, this last summer. “It’s getting hot!” The song also reached Top 10 in Canada
and streaming on The IndigiVerse and Sirius XM! @thejohnnysofficial
Welcome to Indigenous in Music with Larry K, this week we welcome back from Mi’kmaq Nation, Quebec. Q052 is in the house. He’s been staying busy, he has 3 albums out, “ImagiNation,” the “Calm” and “The Storm.” Indigenous Rock Hip Hop at it’s best.
Enjoy music from Q052, David Strickland, JB the First Lady, Ana Tijoux, Carsen Gray, Samantha Crain, Rhonda Head, Aysanabee, Ray Zaragoza, Garret T. Willie, Indian City, Gina Loring, Beny Esguerra, VILDA, Soleil Launiere, Graeme Jonez, The Johnnys, Stevie Salas, Kevin Gutierrez, Melody McArthur, Marx Cassity, Tracy Bone, Mitchell Mikoons, Trent Agecoutay, Twin Flames, Centavrvs, Nancy Sanchez, Locos Por Juana, XAXO, B-Side Players, Dan L’initie, Def-i, Marie Font, Artson, Quese IMC, Supaman,Prolific The Rapper 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.
EMAIL: [email protected]
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@q-0522
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Q.052.REZ/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/quentincondo052/
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/q052
BANDCAMP: https://q052.bandcamp.com/album/the-storm
BOOKING: [email protected]
Quentin Condo aka Q052, is a Mi’kmaq Hip Hop Artist from the Community of Gesgapegiag, in the Gaspésie. His lyrics constantly challenge the Canadian Government about the Indian Act, territorial destruction from resource exploitation, the hidden agenda surrounding the Truth & Reconciliation process and the many levels of the Canadian Genocide. A strong advocate for Indigenous youth and women fighting alongside his brothers and sisters, he hopes that his truthful music will inspire systemic change.