Earth Day Hurt cover from Keith Secola

Here is a cover of Trent Reznor's Hurt that Keith made himself for you the fans. Bless our beautiful Mother today and every day.

https://youtu.be/bdE2rNzL6IA

If you would like to be a part of a Keith Secola video click here.

Still Time to Submit Photos for Got Land? Video

Looking for a great Earth Day activity? If you haven't yet submitted a photo for the You Got Land? video, there is still time. This is a chance to bring some attention to a place you love, a place that is threatened, or has already found itself chopped up for corporate greed. Favorite hiking trail, proposed damn or mine site, sacrilegious real-estate development, government building or monument... get creative! Photos can be submitted to thendnkar@gmail.com 

Oh, and tune in here at the NDN Kar tomorrow for a very special Earth Day surprise from the man at the wheel, Mr. Keith Secola himself!

 Here are some great some gorgeous pics sent in by Jessica Foster and Marsha Winters of the Kootenay Columbia. Jessica writes: Sinixt Land and Kootenay Columbia River. You see Teck in the background. 

The Sinixt people on the north side of the border were once deemed extinct by our government. Until the local people could prove their DNA when a sacred burial ground was being dug up for a roadway. 

The Kootenay Columbia has been dammed up in several places devastating the Sinixt people along the river in particular the Coleville tribe.

Want to get involved? Here's how:

  1.   Make a poster with the words 
        “Got Land? Thank an NDN” on it.

  2.   Take a picture of yourself holding it:

a.       at a rally

b.      your favourite place in nature

c.       an ecological war zone (i.e. tar sands, Mount Polley,
         dam sites, etc)

d.      steps of a government building

e.      any place that speaks to you  on Turtle Island

  3.   email it to us at  thendnkar@gmail.com

  4.   Please only send photos that belong to you and
        you have permission to use.

  5.   We ask for no profanity, as we would like to make
         this video in a good way for the children and elders too.

  6.   Feel free to substitute “Thank an Inuk” for all of you far
          Northerners out there. Settler allies are welcome to 
          participate, also.

We will do our best to include every submission we receive, but cannot guarantee usage of all images submitted. Inclusion will be based on creativity and how big the statement you make is.

Got Land? Thank an NDN -- More Pics

If you haven't yet sent in your pictures for Keith's You Got Land? video it isn't too late. Here's some of the latest submissions, sent in from Sherri Rinkel-MacKay from Bragg Creek in Southern Alberta, Canada, taken on her vacation. Picturesque, quirky, and thought provoking. It looked like Sherri had so much fun...we just had to share all of these with you! Email your own to thendnkar@gmail.com
.

Valley Of Fire State Park

Moapa Paiute sacred territory

Pacific Beach in San Diego

A big thank you to Sherri and to everyone who has submitted a picture for the video!

Want to get involved? Here's how:

  1.   Make a poster with the words 
        “Got Land? Thank an NDN” on it.

  2.   Take a picture of yourself holding it:

a.       at a rally

b.      your favourite place in nature

c.       an ecological war zone (i.e. tar sands, Mount Polley,
         dam sites, etc)

d.      steps of a government building

e.      any place that speaks to you  on Turtle Island

  3.   email it to us at  thendnkar@gmail.com

  4.   Please only send photos that belong to you and
        you have permission to use.

  5.   We ask for no profanity, as we would like to make
         this video in a good way for the children and elders too.

  6.   Feel free to substitute “Thank an Inuk” for all of you far
          Northerners out there. Settler allies are welcome to 
          participate, also.

We will do our best to include every submission we receive, but cannot guarantee usage of all images submitted. Inclusion will be based on creativity and how big the statement you make is.

Christmas Time

I was with my kola (friend), Elwin Braveheart from Kyle, SD. We were throwing rocks into the night. One of the rocks I threw kissed some barbed wire on its downward flight. It flashed brilliantly in the distant darkness. It was magic on an enchanting evening. It took me years to understand that songs can travel on a flash of light. . 

It was Christmas, Christmas morning, it was early in the morning, it was below freezing, here comes the Santa Claus, Ho, ho, ho, ho, hey, heyda.    

I heard this song in Laguna, NM in 1983. Todd Jiron sang it on a hand drum— an ancient beat with a contemporary figure.  It was the kind of song that needed to be shared with children.

Christmas Time Video

                                 

https://youtu.be/cj13s2mjLkI

Christmas Time has two parts, one slow and one fast. I wrote the music on the piano in the key of the C (the people’s key).  It is one of the best instruments to have. It teaches pitch to singers, passing chords to musicians, melody to songwriters, and harmony to choirboys. I play it like I do guitar. The piano has been a major inspiration for me. I have written a number of songs on it, including those from the Rock Opera, Seeds. 

Christmas Time needed some chords, a storyline and a melody. I filled the lyrics with as many metaphors that bring about positive thoughts as possible. The symbol of Santa Claus is the spirit of Love, a dream of angels, peace on Earth, being good all year long, singing in a church mouse’s choir band. 

We recorded Christmas Time in two evenings at recording engineer Christian Leefeldt’s studio in Tempe, AZ. Our former drummer lived in the space before and we had been practicing there for years, so we were very comfortable.

The night before, we practiced the song with a slow tempo all the way through, but the next day, I heard something different and suggested we speed up the second part. It took a couple hours of trying to communicate my wishes with the drummer.  You can hear us disagreeing on the outtakes. It’s hilarious.  “Well, tell me what you want me to play Paul, or I won’t play at all,” kind of thing. We eventually did get it together. We tracked the instruments, bass and drum the first night.  

On the next evening we recorded the vocals for Christmas Time. You can hear two fantastic female vocalists on it. Martha Redbone, an accomplished studio vocalist and live performer from Brooklyn, NY, who just happened to be in AZ. Martha and her husband Aaron came down from Sedona to Tempe for the recording. Aaron laid down a track, as well. He’s a jazz pianist. Happy Frejo is the other female vocalist.  She was living in Arizona at the time.

Even though the song has Native crossroads influences, the sound of the band is all Tempe, AZ.  Jangly guitars, melancholy melodies, and tight rhythms are trademarkx of the bands that came out of the Mill Ave (Tempe) scene in the 90’s. Tempe is a college town and one popular band to come from it was the Gin Blossoms. Doug Hopkins was a songwriter in the band and he was a friend of mine. Sadly, he committed suicide. One time he jumped a train in Tempe and couldn’t jump off until Tucson, one hundred miles later. He got off right next to the Congress Hotel and Bar, a haunted site, but that’s another story. I remember sharing songs with him and others after hours at the Hollywood Alley. One good thing about some of the music spots in Tempe is that they only want original music. You couldn’t get a gig playing just covers. When a town supports songwriters like that, it creates a more artistic local music scene and that is what was happening, we were writing our own songs. Jason Kay (drums), Charles Bond (Guitar/vocals) Jimmy Vickers (Bass) are Arizona musicians on the track.

When we finished recording Christmas Time, I took a break from the studio to catch some air. I remembered the song in its original form. I liked how the two came together to create a new song. Transformation took place and alchemy ran its course. The muse works in mysterious ways.  When spirits enter a room they sing, Ho, ho, ho, ho, hey, heyda.  Now I understand the flash of light.

To all the Children of the Earth, Merry Christmas, we Love You.

Two New Interviews with Keith Secola on A Conversation With Dawn Karima

Listen to two new interviews on A Conversation With Dawn Karima. Keith talks about the creative process, song writing, and inspiration, and shares a few songs. 

http://talktainmentradio.com/shows/archivedpodcasts/conversationwithdawnkarimapodcasts.html

Something Special We Just Had to Share

Here at the NDN Kar we received an extra special submission for Keith’s You Got Land? video. So, we just had to share. 

These beautiful pictures come from Dr. Dawn Karima who is Creek/Cherokee from the Qualla Boundary Reservation in the Great Smoky Mountains. Did we mention she’s a Native American Music Award Winner?  She is also a professor, and prominent NDN Country journalist, a documentarian, an author, a motivational speaker, a Miss American Indian Beauty, a Powwow dancer, and the list goes on and on. Wow! We feel honored here. 

You can check out Dr. Dawn Karima’s ethereal music and full bio at www.reverbnation.com/honeydawnkarima 

and her radio show at http://www.talktainmentradio.com/shows/archivedpodcasts/conversationwithdawnkarimapodcasts.html . 

Then be sure to head out and take your own pic for us for the You Got Land? video. Submissions are still open, so keep them coming! For all of you on the south side of the border, what better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than to THANK AN NDN! And for all of you on the north side, where are some Burnaby Mountain pics???? We'd love some Burnaby Mountain pics! Sending good vibes to all you warriors out there.

Here's how you can be a part of the You Got Land? video:

1.   Make a poster with the words 
        “Got Land? Thank an NDN” on it.

  2.   Take a picture of yourself holding it:

a.       at a rally

b.      your favourite place in nature

c.       an ecological war zone (i.e. tar sands, Mount Polley,
         dam sites, etc)

d.      steps of a government building

e.      any place that speaks to you  on Turtle Island

  3.   email it to us at  thendnkar@gmail.com

  4.   Please only send photos that belong to you and
        you have permission to use.

  5.   We ask for no profanity, as we would like to make  
         this video in a good way for the children and elders too.

  6.   Feel free to substitute “Thank an Inuk” for all of you far
          Northerners out there. Settler allies are welcome to 
          participate, also.

We will do our best to include every submission we receive, but cannot guarantee usage of all images submitted. Inclusion will be based on creativity and how big the statement you make is.

This Thanksgiving Thank an NDN

Keith Secola (NDN without land) standing in the removed section of the town of Parkville, MN. Behind him is where the neighborhood he grew up in used to be. It has also been removed to make way for expanding mining operations. Whole communities throughout the Mesabi and Vermillion portions of the Iron Range of Minnesota have been dismantled to make way for mineral extraction. The modern history of Turtle Island is the history of the removal of people from the land for the benefit of big business and resource extraction: It is both the history of the blood of NDNs removed through brutal, constant, and ongoing acts of genocide, and ironically it is also the history of settlers and colonizers who largely arrived on Turtle Island soaked in the sweat and tears of their own exploitation, and removed from their own homelands. Acknowledging the truth of our past will help lead us all to a better future. So, You got land? …Thank an NDN. And then let us unite against systemic greed for the sake of a better way for the next seven generations. (photograph by James Paavala 2011)

If you would like to appear in Keith's video for YOU GOT LAND? here's how:  http://www.thendnkar.blogspot.ca/2014/11/appear-in-keith-secola-music-video_4.html

First Submission for the Video!

And... we have received our first submission for Keith's You Got Land Video! We're pretty excited here in the NDN Kar! Thank you Erin Browne! You look fabulous, and the scenery is stunning. Thank you also to all of you who have been spreading the word about this grassroots project. 

If you would like to appear in the video for Keith's You Got Land? here's your chance:

1.   Make a poster with the words 
        “Got Land? Thank an NDN” on it.

  2.   Take a picture of yourself holding it:

a.       at a rally

b.      your favourite place in nature

c.       an ecological war zone (i.e. tar sands, Mount Polley,
         dam sites, etc)

d.      steps of a government building

e.      any place that speaks to you  on Turtle Island

  3.   email it to us at  thendnkar@gmail.com

  4.   Please only send photos that belong to you and
        you have permission to use.

  5.   We ask for no profanity, as we would like to make
         this video in a good way for the children and elders too.

  6.   Feel free to substitute “Thank an Inuk” for all of you far
          Northerners out there. Settler allies are welcome to 
          participate, also.

We will do our best to include every submission we receive, but cannot guarantee usage of all images submitted. Inclusion will be based on creativity and how big the statement you make is.

Appear in a Keith Secola Music Video

Want to be in a music video for 
Keith Secola’s song 

YOU GOT LAND? 

  

Here’s your chance:

  1.   Make a poster with the words 
        “Got Land? Thank an NDN” on it.

  2.   Take a picture of yourself holding it:

a.       at a rally

b.      your favourite place in nature

c.       an ecological war zone (i.e. tar sands, Mount Polley,  
         dam sites, etc)

d.      steps of a government building

e.      any place that speaks to you  on Turtle Island

  3.   email it to us at  thendnkar@gmail.com

  4.   Please only send photos that belong to you and
        you have permission to use.

  5.   We ask for no profanity, as we would like to make  
         this video in a good way for the children and elders too.

  6.   Feel free to substitute “Thank an Inuk” for all of you far
          Northerners out there. Settler allies are welcome to 
          participate, also.

We will do our best to include every submission we receive, but cannot guarantee usage of all images submitted. Inclusion will be based on creativity and how big the statement you make is.

Here’s a link to a video for YOU GOT LAND? Keith himself made for the fans this summer. (Pictures submitted will go toward making the new "official" video.)

ICTMN Interview: Keith Secola: On Stage With Indigo Girls, Singing Brutal Truths

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/08/27/keith-secola-stage-indigo-girls-singing-brutal-truths-156611

Click image to go to interview

Woman of the Moon

Thank you so much to everyone who has helped with the Ultimate Underground Album! This is going to be an amazing project. As a thank you, Keith is offering the rough cut of Woman of the Moon as a bonus perk for any contribution, but you only have until 11:59 pm PT. After that you will have to wait until the album comes out and the finished version is available. Again, thank you all for getting behind Keith! http://igg.me/at/keithsecolasalbum

                              Woman of the Moon

Summer Tour Dates Announced

And don't forget to be a part of the Ultimate Underground Album: http://igg.me/at/keithsecolasalbum

Update: the Ultimate Underground Album

34% of the way there with 34 days to go... the grassroots Marginals have raised $1,340 toward the making of the Ultimate Underground Album. 

And for those of you who want to know how to get your copy of Keith's new song You Got Land? we'll email you an MP3 of it for any contribution over $5. 
http://igg.me/at/keithsecolasalbum

TBT Guitars I Have Carried: Pete Seeger

It is my ritual of honoring artists by carrying their guitar after the show.

I got to carry Pete Seeger’s guitar after a show I did with him in New York. After the gig, I walked him to his car with his wife, and carried his guitar. He told me that had not heard my sound since the New Port Folk Festival. He was on a little hill between the two stages. Bob Dylan was on one stage. A Native singer on the other. It was a very high compliment. He liked my version of Woody’s song This Land very much.

check out Keith's upcoming Ultimate Underground Album at http://igg.me/at/keithsecolasalbum

Keith and the Wild Band of Indians singing This Land

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhqYkOB97n4

Peter Seeger singing This Land

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFBgKnXbqt8

Woody Guthrie singing This Land

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxiMrvDbq3s

Get Your Own Copy of YOU GOT LAND?

Since you all seem to like You Got Land? so much Keith is making the MP3 available to all you Marginal Creatures out there ahead of the album release. Go to http://igg.me/at/keithsecolasalbum and for a $5 contribution toward the Ultimate Underground Album it's all yours!

And we would also like to acknowledge Jeff Menard from Pine Creek FN, Manitoba for inspiring with the slogan you all know and love: Got Land? Thank and Indian.

Keith Secola's Video for the Fans... You Got Land?

Keith has been hard at work this weekend making you all a video. And wow! It is amazing! If you like this song and want to hear it on an album, you can be a part of Keith's Ultimate Underground Album by checking out http://igg.me/at/keithsecolasalbum 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw-6tG45YrQ&feature=youtu.be

A F* the System Friday New Song and Help Keith Make the Ultimate Underground Album starts.... NOW!

Keith is the original indie artist, having released six albums under his own label, Akina Records. It has allowed him to develop into a unique and eclectic musician with a sound all his own. But working at the grassroots has held him back at times from realizing his full artistic vision. We think artists as seasoned as Keith should have no barriers when it comes to making good music and we're helping Keith take it to the people by giving you all a chance to be a part of making the Ultimate Underground Album! So, pass the hat (and drop in a little change if you can spare it) and let's get Keith rock n rolling on this new project! 

click here

http://igg.me/at/keithsecolasalbum

It is going to be unlike anything he has done to date. Keith is going to offer a deluxe version with outtakes, acoustic versions, and all sorts of goodies... and he's pressing vinyl!

In return for your support, Keith is offering up all kinds of perks: autographed merchandise, box sets, personally guided hiking trips, and he'll even play your house party!

Check it out! And share, share, share. If you share this blog, or the Indiegogo and add #thendnkar to it, we'll enter your name to win a copy of Keith's album Life is Grand.

Keith Secola's Ultimate Underground Album

The New Song: You Got Land?

Here is a song that comes from way down in the deep deep grassroots of NDN Country.