What's in a Stereotype?

Last week I had the good fortune to attend and perform at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque. The media said over 150,000 people were expected to attend. Seeing all those people in ordinary clothes, in tribal regalia and western wear brought home the diversity of native peoples and the creativity and talent. Living in southern New Mexico I don’t really get to spend much time with Indian people and the few that are here I have friendships with. It isn’t like other parts of New Mexico where there are pueblos and reservations and an abundant community. When I lived in Albuquerque I was very involved with Native health issues and met many an “urban” Indian. The Native American flute festivals are mostly non-natives though they have borrowed heavily from romanticized ideas about spirituality, art, etc. Being in the Pit when over 3,000 dancers in full regalia entered the floor with the powerful drumming and singing made some experiences recently seem like Indian Lite. Not to be to dismissive, but you know when you are in the presence of authenticity and it comes from the heart and from a shared language or culture free of superficiality. Exploring my own murky Indian ancestry has made me even more deeply respectful of the self-reliance and reverence for the natural rhythm of creation. I get it.

Browsing the hundreds of vendors is pretty awesome…well I imagine it would be with money that is. I ran into my friend flutemaker Butch Hall and we had a short visit which was wonderful. I send people to his website all the time for his affordable, nice flutes. I heard some awesome music, saw amazing tribal dress, was moved by the drumming (not the drum-circle variety mind you), and hopefully offered something to the atmosphere. My set was ok but the Hang can be a challenge to mic live. I kept getting a horrible low feedback that had the poor sound guys scratching their heads. Not one but two trash trucks came to empty the dumpsters during my set and a 35mph wind came wanting to play my flutes along with me. Sigh… I just had to laugh when the trash trucks came thinking ok I guess I need some humility right? It’s all good. I met some nice people and sold some CD’s thankfully. Earlier in the week I had played at the Tamaya Resort on the Santa Ana Pueblo. Talk about swank. It was like five miles from the road situated above the Rio Grande. As the sunset lit up the Sandia Mountains me and the other locals all looked and nodded knowingly. We know how special this place is. Our ancestors have been here centuries. It is in our blood, skin and bones. I hope that my music reflects that. Indian people call non-Indians who dress and act Indian “Wanabees.” Not a nice term but you know one when you see one. I’ve never wanted to be anyone other than more of who I am. Walking around the Gathering with all those Indians I felt at home but reserved, respectful. It isn’t a zoo and seeing people with cameras just inches from dancers faces I felt sympathy and regard for the patience the dancers had. I’m comfortable in my own skin and know that is a formidable asset. When I smell the ever present Sage and Sweetgrass at flute festivals as ubiquitious as patchouli and a Grateful Dead show I have that patience too. When people throw around the word “Spirit” like it is some cosmic jukebox that “just plays through me” I may silently groan but wish them well nonetheless. Spirituality is such a personal issue and there is a reason it is called a spiritual “practice.” I hope when I play and present concerts that I do some small part in shedding the stereotypes that all Native People are either something out of Dances With Wolves or worse. What I saw at the Gathering just solidifies the idea in my mind that Indians are vibrant, creative, forward thinking and very much alive, thankfully.

I was playing my Hang and Flute on the UNM campus in this cement sculpture called Center of the Universe just to see what the acoustics were like. A guy came up to me and we started talking. He said he is a music producer and wanted to know where I was playing. I said at the Gathering of Nations and he said, “That’s a really odd clash isn’t it? A Swiss instrument at a Native festival?” I said that they are both innovative cultures and pointed out that hip-hop, the bass guitar and keyboards are exactly Indian but were all there too. That is just to point out that preconceptions can run deep and I see them as a chance to inform. It is interesting that while I was playing a homeless guy offered me his sweater and another one in a wheelchair stopped and listened and clapped. Either they thought I was homeless or they could feel my openness. Either way both were real acts of generosity from people who seemingly have little—seemingly.

Be Well
Randy

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Gathering of Nations and Thoughts About Spring Gigs

I hope this post finds everyone well. Spring in southern New Mexico means wind and more wind. Trees are greening up and I’ve learned that Mesquite trees will always tell you when it is safe to plant your garden. I’ve been busy with a few gigs, trying to get to recording, writing and building a sound isolation booth. The Taizé service I was part of was very beautiful and reflective. It still amazes me that I am playing the Hang and Native American flutes and singing in part of a ceremony. Using my music in these ways is so different that concerts or other gigs, but every day I affirm that “I perform my music in perfect ways, for wonderful people and for perfect pay.” So who am I to argue?

Next week I’ll be in Albuquerque. One gig is a good old-fashioned working type where I’m playing for the annual meeting of a national heating equipment association at a swank resort on Santa Ana Pueblo. The other is at the Gathering of Nations International Powwow. I’m honored to be a part of that and will just do what I do and maybe have some resonance leading to greater things. The Gathering of Nations is remarkable and the awe when the Grand Entry comes in is something I look forward to. I am performing on Stage-49 Saturday, April 25th at 11:20AM. Again with my Hang, such a new instrument in the midst of tradition. People ask me all the time if it is a Native American instrument or a traditional one and I have to again relay the story of its origin, where it is from, how I got mine etc., etc. Instruments were being created by the first peoples all the time and exchanged often. Innovation is nothing new but you have to take a lot of ribbing and slack-jawed questions when you are doing something completely new to people. Of course playing the Native American flute for people who are hearing or seeing it live for the first time is thrilling and an honor. I feel like an ambassador for the flute most of the time.

Being a person who suffers from Arthritis flare ups can be tiring. When it happens at the same time a bout of depression happens it can be a challenge to find any good that I am doing in the world. I’m not whining and don’t really want any sympathy. These are just the realities of my situation and I know I’m not alone in my experience. For a while this spring I’ve had times where I feel completely useless when I feel I’m not getting anywhere and am always chasing gigs and I see other players who are better at ingratiating themselves and being downright aggressive pursuing gigs, festivals and teaching workshops. I finally had a dream where my late dogs came to me and really gave me a talking to in their own way. I got their message. Battling severe depression is not like having the blues in any way. Not having insurance I rely mostly on herbal supplements. Sometimes they aren’t enough. One wonderful and caring friend and fan even asked me if I they had done something wrong because I had not been as warm and friendly. It is hard to explain that it is “me” who has the problem and finding the energy to constantly create and give means I need to shut down and recharge sometime. With Arthritis I really can’t hike or be in nature which has always been my tonic. I had to work really hard to remind myself that I need do absolutely nothing more than what I am doing right now and believe it is exactly right for me and for everyone else. Mining that level of emotion and truth can be hard a person. History is rich with examples.

In May I’ll be heading up to perform at the Zion flute and drum festival in St. George, UT. On the way I’ll do a show in Tucson with some wonderful musicians, Martin Klabunde and Stephen Cumberworth. We will present a show May 13th at a little casita called The Ranch 3742 N. Edith Boulevard, Tucson, AZ, 85718 at 7:30PM. We are going under the name “Trio Corona” and it should be fun. Martin is an excellent African drummer and Stephen a talented flutist. More info on my website or MySpace calendar. I’m always looking for more gigs so if you would like to host a house concert, a show at your community theatre or center or even your church please contact me.

Randy

Taizé Service, Meditation and Thoughts

This time of the year I always find myself in a contemplative and somber mood. It could be the 60mph spring winds, the years of attending a Catholic school and being an altar boy well in to my late teens or the fact that it always gets cloudy on Good Friday. It can’t be coincidence that Christians, Jews, Pagans and ancient Greeks all mark this time of year with some sort of ceremony or service. On some calendars it is the beginning of the New Year. Easter always falls on the Sunday nearest the full Moon following the Vernal equinox. Whatever the significance I find myself combining two areas of my life this season; music and service. I will take part in a Taizé service at a local place of worship. Taizé is a type of service that “emphasizes silence, light, and above all the meditative weaving together of prayer and music.” It was started by a monk, Brother Roger, during WWII in Burgundy, France. He offered refuge to Jews and later German POW’s and began an inclusive ceremony with the other monks. Brother Roger would pray in the woods as to not bother his non-Christian guests. That alone is remarkable.

Taizé services have become popular all over Europe and the US for their simple concept of meditation, silence and the music. Candlelight is the only light used along with some inclusive prayers and chants. Tonight, I will be the music. Going back and forth between Native American flutes, the Hang and singing I will be able to use my tools and talents in a way that is exactly like I had been searching for. I had approached the music director of the church several months ago saying I wanted to have some sort of music and meditation hour where people could come and go and that there would be no applause or performance per se. He forgets that I mentioned that when he, I and the new minister met to discuss this Taizé service. Point is that it seems the consciousness and intent attracted what would be best for everyone, and I’m really grateful. Check my Calendar if you want more information.

Being a professional musician involves so much more than chasing recognition and awards. Making a living means doing commissioned pieces, Busking, getting paid for individual downloads or listens on Rhapsody sometimes .06 at a time. It adds up. I’m learning to expand completely my own idea of what success means and understand that my opportunities are unlimited—something I actually affirm every day. So one week I’m playing a Taizé service (and getting paid), later this month I’m playing the annual meeting of an Industrial Heating Equipment association at a resort in Albuquerque, three days later the Gathering of Nations Powwow and at least three albums worth of music to record, release and promote. But, for tonight, I will gather all the skills and magic that has led up to now and uses my music in the truest way I know to bring comfort, healing and peace.

Happy Easter, Passover, New Year or however you mark this season.
Randy

Here is a video of an unrecorded song Hello Daddy. Soon to come....