RPM Podcast #013: "Motherhood"

In Episode 13, RPM looks at Indigenous motherhood and music.

Many nations around Turtle Island have references in their oral traditions and prophecies about the important role of the 7th Generation. This concept refers to the 7th Generation to be born after contact with European settlers and how we must live our lives in a sustainable way making sure the earth is sustainable for 7 generations to come. The people with the most direct connection to the next 7th generations are, of course, our mothers.

Episode #013 of the RPM Podcast hosted by Ostwelve explores three Indigenous mothers who happen to also be active musicians. Lakota Jones (Mohawk, Cherokee, Lakota) credits her children as her biggest supporters. Inez (Sto:lo) went on tour and was surprised to see that some communities were uncomfortable with her breastfeeding her son. Eekwol (Muskoday First Nation) shares stories about how music helped her heal from post-partum depression. All three women are learning how to juggle their careers with their new found commitment to raising the next generation.

DOWNLOAD: RPM Podcast #013: “Motherhood”

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The RPM podcast is produced & engineered by the amazing Paolo Pietropaolo.

Photo illustration created by the talented Joi Arcand with Achomawi Mother & Child by Edward S. Curtis.

Vincent Schilling's Book "Native Musicians in The Groove"

Vincent Schilling's book Native Musicians In The Groove focuses on the lives and accomplishments of Indigenous musicians.

St. Regis Mohawk music journalist Vincent Schilling is the host of Native Trailblazers - one of the most listened to Indigenous focused radio shows in Indian Country - and writer of a related series of books. The second book from that series, Native Americans In The Groove, pays homage to the Indigenous musicians he has come in contact with over the years.

Growing up in California, Vincent's love of literature and writing started at an early age in the library reading books when he wasn't playing at the beach. His path in media began at San Francisco State University where he studied broadcasting, theatre and science. Later he would be prompted by his loving wife to explore his talent for writing, and with the challenge of making a sustainable career as a writer, Vincent began his path in book writing.

His first publishing venture was to be an author of children s books until his publishing company approached him with the idea of writing about Indigenous people in the United States and Canada, which he was thrilled to do instead. The Native Trailblazers book series consists of five books that focus on Native women, men, athletes, activists and musicians.

Native Musicians In The Groove takes a look at the lives and accomplishments of ten Indigenous music artists: Crystal Shawanda, Gabriel Ayala, Leela Gilday, Michael Bucher, Blackfire, Shane Yellowbird, Mary Youngblood, Four Rivers Drum, Mato Nanji and Jamie Coon. The book was a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in 2010.

In addition to being an author and journalist (he's a regular contributor to Indian Country Today Media Network) Vincent is the manager of Cherokee singer-songwriter Michael Bucher, and host of the Native Trailblazers podcast on BlogTalkRadio - weekly in-depth and topical interviews with inspiring people from our community and where you can hear the RPM Download of the Week during the show every Friday at 7pm EST.

Get your copy of Native Musicians In The Groove from Native Voices: www.nativevoicesbooks.com/catalog/2.

RPM YouTube Playlist - "Revitalization"

Here's an RPM YouTube playlist to accompany our last podcast that focused on Indigenous language revitalization.

Staying in the theme of our last RPM podcast, we've compiled a playlist of Indigenous videos that are in the realm of language revitalization.

To view this playlist in YouTube click this link: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL166EDD1F62B2484D 

Playlist:

Intro Kashtin - Tshinanu (Our People) Radmilla Cody - A Beautiful Dawn Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson - A Call to the Ancestors Robbie Robertson featuring Ulali - Mahk Jchi (Heart Beat Drum Song) Wab Kinew - Anishinabemowin Word of the Day - Ninagam Wab Kinew - Anishinabemowin Word of the Day - Ketenagamonan Wab Kinew - Anishinabemowin Word of the Day - Nagamok! Wab Kinew - Anishinabemowin Word of the Day - Diwe'igan Outro

RPM Podcast #011: "Music is the Medicine"

In our 11th episode, we talk with one of the hardest working musicians on Turtle Island - Mohawk blues-rocker Derek Miller.

On previous episodes of the RPM podcast, we’ve heard from a wide variety of musicians from all kinds of different genres from hip-hop to country, from blues to electronica to new traditional. They’re all proud creators of what we at RPM like to call Indigenous Music Culture.

A huge part of what inspired RPM in the first place was Derek Miller - namely his story as told in the documentary film Music is the Medicine. So it's about time we get to know him a little better.

Our host Ostwelve talks with Derek about his musical journey, from listening to his mom's records on Six Nations reserve, to recently winning the APCMAs for Best Male Entertainer and Best Songwriter of the Year, to what Derek calls the metaphysical nature of music.

We'll also kick back and listen to some of that sweet medicine he makes with his guitar.

DOWNLOAD: RPM Podcast #011: "Music is the Medicine"

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Audio clip from the documentary film Music is the Medicine used with permission from MIM Productions Inc. For more information on the film, visit musicisthemedicine.ca.

The RPM podcast is produced & engineered by the amazing Paolo Pietropaolo.

Photo illustration created by the talented Joi Arcand.

RPM YouTube Playlist - Singer Songwriters

The rice to your salmon dish of RPM Podcasts, here's an accompanying playlist of Indigenous singer songwriters.

As per usual to our RPM Podcast series, we love to include an RPM YouTube Playlist as well. Here we've selected only a FEW of the amazing singer songwriters Turtle Island has to offer.

Vancougar - Distance Jason Burnstick - Home Tonight at the 2010 Aboriginal People's Choice Awards Kait Angus - The Color Scheme Kinnie Starr - Another's Gone Christa Couture- Scared, Too Buffy Sainte-Marie - Universal Soldier (LIVE)

RPM Podcast #008: "Singer-Songwriters"

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.

DOWNLOAD: RPM Podcast #008: "Singer-Songwriters"

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The RPM podcast is produced & engineered by the amazing Paolo Pietropaolo.

Photo illustration created by the talented Joi Arcand.

Manifesto Festival 2011 Indigenous Showcase

This year marked the first Indigenous hip-hop Showcase at Toronto's Manifesto Festival 2011. Here are some great videos from the event.

Manifesto Festival 2011 brought Toronto, Ontario, eleven days of hip-hop events that stretched across the great metropolis. This year also inaugurated a special showcase involving some of Canada's elite Indigenous hip-hop artists in an event entitled, Origins: The Firekeepers.

Artists included Plex, Kinnie Star, Q-Rock, 2oolman & Sese, J-R.E.Z., and Red Slam Collective with DJ Ariel, all hitting the stage at The Great Hall in Toronto.

Here are a couple of excellent live videos from the event:

Kinnie Starr Speaks About Aboriginal Women and Hip-Hop at Manifesto Festival 2011

Rabble.ca's The F Word caught up with genre-busting Mohawk artist Kinnie Starr backstage at the 2011 Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture.

Manifesto Community Projects is a non-profit, grasroots organization working to unite and celebrate Toronto's diverse arts community. This year they presented a showcase of six Ontario-based Indigenous artists, including Kinnie, in Origins: The Firekeepers. Kinnie is always one to engage in provocative, honest and intelligent conversation and this interview with The F Word's Ellie Gordon-Moershel, about Kinnie's position in today's hip-hop culture and her participation in Manifesto's Indigenous showcase, is a worthwhile listen.

Stream it from Rabble.ca: "Manifesto Festival repping for women and aboriginal people involved in the hip-hop scene" [mp3]

RPM YouTube Playlist - Native Hip-Hop

As always, accompanying our RPM Podcast #007 is a YouTube playlist from our channel. This week we bring to you some Indigenous hip-hop music videos. Boom.

Red Cloud featuring Pigeon John - Tapatio Lakota Jonez - Movin' On (LIVE) Hellnback - Keep It Movin' Mils & Eekwol featuring Luckyiam - The Gauntlet Samian featuring Florent Vollant - Tshinanu War Party - All For One Conway K - The Flow Joey Stylez - Living Proof

Got some music videos you're digging these days? Comment below and let us know...or hit us up at: info@rpm.fm 

RPM Podcast #007: "Native Hip-Hop"

Hip-hop is one of the most popular musical genres in Indian Country. In our seventh episode, we explore why the art of hip-hop is such a strong force in Indigenous music culture.

Our host Ostwelve talks with the one and only RedCloud from Huichol Nation about the shift from Indigenous 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.

You'll also hear beats from Cree/Dene artist No-1.

DOWNLOAD: RPM Podcast #007: "Native Hip-Hop"

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The RPM podcast is produced & engineered by the amazing Paolo Pietropaolo.

Photo illustration created by the talented Joi Arcand.

Six Indigenous Music Video Blogs To Check Out

Here's a list of six Indigenous music Video Blogs available on the web for your viewing pleasure.

Video blogs or 'v-logs' have been around for a few years and as the popularity of video platforms like YouTube and Vimeo grow, artists and regular people alike have this medium of v-logging to express themselves.

More and more indigenous music artists are making v-log entries for their networks and video channels. Artists such as Wab Kinew, Inez, Kinnie Starr, Don Amero, Kasp and now JB The First Lady are all using this new form of media to keep content fresh and express themselves in a digital format.

Wab Kinew chooses to use his v-log for an experience of cultural education with his "Anishinaabemowin Word of the Day" series on his YouTube channel entitled anishinabemowin.

Inez's v-log brings you updates from on the road and also some family moments at home on her YouTube v-log series InezTV on her channel InezMusic.

Kinnie Starr's series of v-logs is more based on comedy with her "The Hardest Part About Being On Tour" series of videos, which are about the stresses of being a touring musician on her YouTube channel MusicKinnieStarr.

Don Amero's v-logs are more informational to his fan base with personal updates and promotion as well as his newest addition, a version of the MTV show Cribs, where he showcases his own digs in a fun video on his YouTube channel Donamero.

Kasp has one of the more populated v-log series covering promotions and news from on the road featured on his YouTube channel named kiqwilly.

And the latest Indigenous musician to hit us up with a v-log is JB The First Lady with her series debut entitled "Bathroom Diaries". In her first instalments she introduces her v-log series and features her friend Crystal J for a beatbox backed cover of an India Arie track on her YouTube channel jbthefirstlady.

Don Amero's Crib:

Got a V-log you want to share with us?  Or do you know of an Indigenous music v-log you love? Comment below and share! 

Indigenous Live Music Picks - September 8-11

It's another full weekend of live Indigenous music, powwows, festivals and award shows, including the first ever RPM Presents show!

Derek Miller September 8-10 - Catch Mohawk blues man Friday September 8th at Knights of Columbus Hall, Kahnawake, QC, Saturday at Brass Horse Bar & Grill, Akwesasne, NY and Sunday at Ohsweken Fair, Six Nations, ON. More info: derekmiller.ca

Samantha Crain September 8 - Samantha's last Oklahoma City gig of the year takes place at Saint's, in the Plaza District. More info: facebook.com

Navajo Nation Fair September 5-11 - The 65th Annual Fair will see about 15,000 visitors a day to Window Rock, AZ, for live music, rodeo, carnival and more Event info: navajonationfair.com

Indian Summer Festival September 9-11 - The 25th annual festival and the Indian Summer Music Awards includes live performances from Eagle and Hawk, Brulé, Wayne Lavallee, Jimmy Lee Young, T-Hawk, Johnathan Ward and a lot more. Full lineup and schedule: indiansummer.org

Akwesane Powwow September 10-11 - Gates open at 10am at the A'nowara'ko:wa Arena on Cornwall Island, ON. More info: akwesasnepowwow.com

Rockin' The District September 9 - Winnipeg's Most joins the lineup at this one day/all day music festival in Old Market Square, Winnipeg, MB. More info: rockinthedistrict.com

Sagkeeng Powwow Saturday 10-11 - Grand entry is at 11am and 6pm, host drum is Sagkeeng Community Drum and Traditional Drums with co-host Whitefish Bay Singers. Sagkeeng Powwow Grounds, MB. More info: facebook.com

New Forms Festival September 9-11 - A Tribe Called Red will be rocking the Waldorf in Vancouver, BC, as part of the Saturday night lineup. Full lineup:  newformsfestival.com

Drum/Prayer Circle for Eli PaintedCrow and Turtle Women Rising September 10 - Bring your drum to Peralta Hacienda Historical Park in Oakland, CA, from 12-4pm. More info: facebook.com

Electric Powwow September 10 - While A Tribe Called Red is kicking it in Vancouver, DJs Budda Blaze and Magnificent will take their place at the monthly electric powwow, Babylon Nightclub, Ottawa, ON. More info: facebook.com

RPM Presents: Ryan McMahon/Clarence Two Toes with Special Guests September 11 - RPM's own Ostwelve hosts the first "RPM Presents" event in Vancouver, BC, with Ryan McMahon, Clarence Two Toes, and some very special musical guests. More info: facebook.com