Best Recording Companies for Native Music

[hoksila]

I know for a fact Red Rock has recently recorded some pretty good groups at Toronto International Pow Wow. They recorded Whitetail-Cree, and Snake Island, and I believe Whitetail's tape is already out, and Snake Island's tape will be out very soon.

[Red Rock Music]

Thanks, StraightdancerAZ

I appreciate your nice comments about my recordings and glad that you enjoy them. To respond to your post about the web site, we have one under construction. I may PM and give you a peak.

We have several new releases lined up for the spring and summer. Cree White Tail should be out within two weeks. I am also working with Snake Island to produce their first CD. This is really a great group and a great bunch of guys to work with. Also got a new gourd dance recording in the tank. It will feature many new compositions and a few old stand-bys. This should go over well in your neck of the woods.

Well, I think I've said enough for now.

Take Care,
Redrock

[The Rock]

I too would definitely like to see more Indian artists make it in the mainstream however running right to Arista is not the way it's gonna work.....too bad, but unfortunately business is business and in the genre of Native American Music we're stuck somewhat however doors are opening quite a bit....

The only problem with going to Arista first is they won't sign you without an idea that they're gonna make money......

So for starting out in this business, especially for contemporary artists you have to look at the independant labels quite a bit.

There are newer ones that are showing promise these days....

Makoche Records is an upstart recording company making waves in Flute Music and other not-so Indian mainstream types of traditional music, but they also work with other types of artists as well....

for Indian rappers there's a few companies to work with....Red Vinyl Records is operated by Litefoot (Indian in the Cupboard), but it's up to you if you want your name associated with someone who would play Nitewolf in Mortal Kombat II and brag about it.

Canyon's got a long history and good distribution....not too sure of the kind of deals they work out, but you gotta shop around.....

SOAR-blah!!!!! go there if no one else will sign you and you can't start your own label....that's about all they're good for.....

for pow-wow groups I'd say stay away from companies not operated by people who are regulars in the pow-wow world even if they've put out a few CD's in the past.....

These days depending on your region Arbor and Wacipi records do well with well known groups, especially in the northern US and Canada

if you're in the southwest I'd highly recommend Indian House. Good business practices and high quality recordings. The owner's a non-indian, but knows his stuff....unfortunately for a lot of newer groups he's a little old-school. Only records and releases groups that have some repoire with their own tribes and usually come from their own perspective reservations....however if you wanted to release independantly and just sell your stuff from pow-wow to pow-wow then I'd go to them for the recording and engineering and they'll also hook you up with CD and tape manufacturers and graphic designers.....

[The Rock]

I too would definitely like to see more Indian artists make it in the mainstream however running right to Arista is not the way it's gonna work.....too bad, but unfortunately business is business and in the genre of Native American Music we're stuck somewhat however doors are opening quite a bit....

The only problem with going to Arista first is they won't sign you without an idea that they're gonna make money......

So for starting out in this business, especially for contemporary artists you have to look at the independant labels quite a bit.

There are newer ones that are showing promise these days....

Makoche Records is an upstart recording company making waves in Flute Music and other not-so Indian mainstream types of traditional music, but they also work with other types of artists as well....

for Indian rappers there's a few companies to work with....Red Vinyl Records is operated by Litefoot (Indian in the Cupboard), but it's up to you if you want your name associated with someone who would play Nitewolf in Mortal Kombat II and brag about it.

Canyon's got a long history and good distribution....not too sure of the kind of deals they work out, but you gotta shop around.....

SOAR-blah!!!!! go there if no one else will sign you and you can't start your own label....that's about all they're good for.....

for pow-wow groups I'd say stay away from companies not operated by people who are regulars in the pow-wow world even if they've put out a few CD's in the past.....

These days depending on your region Arbor and Wacipi records do well with well known groups, especially in the northern US and Canada

if you're in the southwest I'd highly recommend Indian House. Good business practices and high quality recordings. The owner's a non-indian, but knows his stuff....unfortunately for a lot of newer groups he's a little old-school. Only records and releases groups that have some repoire with their own tribes and usually come from their own perspective reservations....however if you wanted to release independantly and just sell your stuff from pow-wow to pow-wow then I'd go to them for the recording and engineering and they'll also hook you up with CD and tape manufacturers and graphic designers.....

[Smokin' Ace]

I have heard from a few companies so far, guys. But one of my frens who has a rock and roll group in Texas just informed me he will be signing tomorrow morning with a major label - CBS/ITI or something like that!! Says that he will be touring soon, too.

Name of his group is Endangered Species - you can check out his music at www.esrocks.com.

Things are looking up, peeps!!

Go

[Smokin' Ace]

Great advice everyone!! And Black Wolf it is my dream that one day, we all will be flooded with great music that just happens to be sung by Natives. That would be a glorious day.

[BlackWolf00]

Hello All!! I am almost 17 years old and i know right much about music. I play guitar, bass guitar, i sing, and i even play a little bit of drums. Arista records would be a very good record company to be signed to. With Arista these young singers would get the recognition that they deserve with the Native American community and it would open new doors for their success and even put them in the public eye a little bit so maybe Native music could get to be mainstream. Wouldnt that be sweet if someone was driving down the road bumpin Native music instead of that too much bass rap crap?!?!?

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BlackWolf00

[gahzundteit]

Who has Red Rock ever recorded? Where are they based out of? As for Arbor they do have some of the freshest talent in their line up.

[Vicki]

I have some really good tapes from Indian House,Canyon Records,Sweet Grass,Sunshine,and SOAR.

[BrownHornet]

By far the best recording company is Indian House out of Taos, N.M. Tony Isaacs does the sweetest recordings of anyone. If you listen to them you will know what I am talking about. His albums are not distorted with all sorts of effects and synthesis. He records quality groups that dont need the "magic" of reverb and compression. After all, if youre not worth your weight in salt you shouldnt be recording anyway.

Now as for the next best...Canyon Records has some pretty good stuff out but also some crap as well.

Now in the running is Red Rock Music! Im sure you will be hearing more about this company over the next few months.

Sweetgrass is all right

Arbor....hmmmm...let me be quiet

Sunshine.....Worst professional recordings I own

Wachip and Turtle Island....same boat as Sunshine and its sinking.


Brown Hornet

[just hangin']

There is also Sweetgrass Records in Saskatchewan.... they've recorded quite a few drum groups....It's owned or managed by Ted Whitecalf. I think they're based in Saskatoon, Sk.

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just hangin'

[n8tivechick]

i have heard that Corn, Beans, and Squash records are really good. They have recorded ULALI and the Smoke Signals cd's
-Kelli

[Smokin' Ace]

Thanks, Hola!! I appreciate that. Actually, I had heard some mighty good things from Arbor records, and when I sent them an e-mail a while back, they responded promptly. That was impressive!!

[Hola]

Hola!!!!!!

Heys guys! I think Arbor Records is the best out there. They have some great groups on their label now. I'm out!

[Smokin' Ace]

Promise!!