INTERVIEW: Alternative Rock from Dead Feather

Coming out of Edmond in Oklahoma, Dead Feather is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative work brings together art, music and storytelling in service of cultural preservation. His practice is based in the exploration of assimilation and its impact on the Mvskoke-Creek people, channeling themes of conflicted spirituality, cultural isolation and the lived experience of being born almost entirely deaf.

Through paintings, poetry, masks inspired by forgotten Mvskoke deities, dolls designed to teach conversational Mvskoke and short films, Dead Feather creates a body of work that’s at once educational and profoundly personal. His latest chapter is a musical one; an album project titled Cate Heleswv (Red Medicine) Vol. 1, a record that stitches together mythology, rock and roll and the vital importance of cultural survival.

The creation of the album came after setbacks; initially seeking support to stage a play educating audiences about various Mvskoke deities, Dead Feather struggled to secure backing but in that disappointment, he turned inward and began teaching himself chords and basic song structures, gradually piecing together material that would later form his album. That determination led him to collaboration, meeting Adam Stanley and Issac Nelson of the band Stanley Hotel, whose engineering and musical contributions helped shape the songs at Remote Studios in Wellston, Oklahoma.

Bringing us the perfect taste of his latest endeavour, he shares the single titled “Corn Woman (Mother Woman),” lifted from the LP, a song which distils his artistic mission into a grooving alternative rock outing. Thematically based on the story of Uvce, or Corn Woman, the mother of Fayetu, the hunting deity who guided the Mvskoke on their journey into the New World after arriving on turtle’s back and whose father was Hvse, the Sun, the track brings mythology into modern sound.

Using his music as a vessel for reviving stories lost to the processes of colonisation and assimilation, by bringing these contexts into the contemporary space of rock music, Dead Feather ensures they remain alive and accessible for new generations. Flowing with bright guitar chords and the soft patter of percussion, the track jumps with punching rhythms, slick guitar grooves and Elizabeth Swindell’s warm sax and horn textures.

With restrained vocal leads and soulful backing vocalisations, the track delivers an engaging rock n’ roll jam that’s equally enjoyable and meaningful. It’s an epic outing from an incredible wider project from an artist making a truly worthwhile contribution to the artistic and cultural spheres. With Cate Heleswv (Red Medicine) Vol. 1, Dead Feather demonstrates that mythology, when given the space to breathe in modern mediums, becomes a living, developing entity.

We caught up with Dead Feather to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “Corn Woman (Mother Woman)” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Dead Feather below.

Hey Dead Feather, how’s things?

Hi there. Things are going wonderful. Another day, another blessing. Thank you.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

My earliest memory of making music is probably me being around 4 years old and banging on a small plastic drumset I got as a gift, probably from my grandparents, I can’t remember. But I do remember my uncles always rocking out and partying as a child. Rock n roll music has always been a solid memory for me. Maybe because I was apparently babysat by members of Lynyrd Skynyrd according to my mother and aunt. We lived right on the corner of some of the band mates in Florida. But of course, I have no memory of that.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

As far as my musical inspiration for this album/project, I was inspired by quite a few bands. My musical tastes are all over the place. I suppose I was trying to be nostalgic of my youth, but The Black Crowes, The Doors, Lenny Kravitz and Leonard Cohen play a big role in the inspiration for creating the album. But generally, the 80’s glam band era really inspired the aesthetic as well. Think Andy Mccoy or the Suicide Twins.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

I draw inspiration from reading my library of Native American history books especially any where I come across anything relating to Mvskoke-Creek deities and folklore. The Dead Feather Concept deals heavily in spirituality. Being so far removed from my culture and traditions due to the civilization process and assimilation, it’s always nice to find bits and pieces of my culture to incorporate into the Dead Feather concept. It allows me to teach myself as well as anyone interested in the art. Also, being generally grateful for each day. That’s pretty inspiring in itself.

What’s been your highlight for the year so far?

The highlight of my year so far is finally getting this project pressed onto vinyl format. The album Cate Heleswv (Red Medicine) is an extended canvas to the Dead Feather concept in audio form. It was intended to be listened to while viewing the Dead Feather concept/universe. It’s a very limited run, but I think that’s what makes it stand out. Approaching the album/EP as an art project or audio canvas.

What do you love about your local music scene?

I’m not too familiar with my local music scene, so I can’t give an opinion. But I will say Adam Stanley and Issac Nelson of Stanley Hotel did an amazing job with the instrumentation and audio engineering on this album. The hornwork of Elizabeth Swindell and backing vocals of Elexa Dawson, Rose, Carli and Cameron were most excellent. I’m generally appreciative of their gifts and talents.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

I would say the perfect setting for listening to this album is probably during a smoke sesh with your friends or by yourself if you just want to think and chill in solitude. I’ve been told it would work in the woods on a hiking trip as well.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I’m self taught so, evolution is always happening. Being deaf, I obviously can’t hear high pitches, so I just taught myself to strum chords over and over then learned song structures of my favorite bands. I eventually just pieced together a series of songs and called it an album. Kind of like painting. You work with the colors you have.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

I don’t know know if my dream artists would bother to collaborate with me, but Lenny Kravitz or The Black Crowes would probably be on the list.

How did you find making your new single “Corn Woman (Mother Woman)”?

Making Corn Woman was interesting. I didn’t intend for it to sound the way it does, but the folks at Remote Studios insisted I speak the words. They sped up the song and amped it up as well. But I enjoy the outcome. It’s all a part of collaborating. Considering the spiritual nature of the song, I enjoy keeping Mvskoke-Creek deities and stories alive through creative expression, in this case, Rock n Roll.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

The general message is being comfortable with your spirituality and being educated on your culture and history. Once you begin to take care of yourself, you can begin to take care and help others. Always be kind to one another.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Unfortunately, I haven’t been listening to a lot of music lately. I’ve been focused on the new EP/album.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

The main thing I want people to get out of the music? I suppose it’s that you can combine education with art and creativity. Learning doesn’t have to be boring. Also, to take care of the planet and each other. Nothing too extravagant.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

3 artists to headline a dream festival? The Black Crowes, Lenny Kravitz and Aerosmith right in my backyard. Only because I walk everywhere and have never owned a vehicle. Convenice, I suppose.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

I’ve been creating art for 15 plus years. I suppose I would say don’t stop. Keep going. Learn everything you can. But, the important thing is, don’t stop. And of course, ENJOY what you are doing. If you don’t enjoy your work, it will show.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of the year?

For the rest of the year, I don’t know what I have planned. There’s 3 more Volumes to Cate Heleswv (Red Medicine) so, we’ll see what happens. In the meantime, I’m just enjoying sharing the current album.

Listen to Corn Woman (Mother Woman) below