Seattle-based Indigenous funk/jazz band Khu.éex’ is an ensemble full of storytellers and their stories carry a punch. They are back with another double album titled, “Red Cedar in the Hour of Chaos.” They carry on their unique P Funk-inspired sound and blend it with hip-hop, doom metal and psychedelia, all while drawing from Tlingit, Haida, and other Native roots.

Earth Surface People (Photo: Cheyenne Weston/@greezy.lens)

Another band, this one from the Southwest, weaves Diné stories and concepts into their just-released album filled with neo-soul and jazz influences. “Yáágo Dootliźh” is the second album from the Indigenous soul collective Earth Surface People.

We’ll talk with members of both these groups about the power of Native storytelling through music.

GUESTS

Preston Singletary (Tlingit), co-founder of Khu.éex’, musician, and glass artist

Sondra Segundo (Haida), lead female vocalist for Khu.éex’, author, and educator

Dakota Yazzie (Diné), leader of Earth Surface People

Break 1 Music: We Pray (song) Khu.eex (artist), Red Cedar in the Hour of Chaos (album)

Break 2 Music: Seeing Two (song) Deerlady (band) Greatest Hits (album)