Dead Feather is a multi-disciplinary creative entirely in his own lane. This Mvskoke-Creek artist recently released his ambitious eight-track project Cate Heleswv (Red Medicine) Vol. 1, and now we’re introducing you to this record via stand-out single ‘Red Poem’. Although this spoken word piece was originally written back in the mid-00s, it feels vitally present during this era of increasing division and hate.
At its core, ‘Red Poem’ follows the awakening of a young Native American artist, one that comes through the pains of loss and displacement alongside the reclamation of identity and self-discovery. It’s unflinchingly honest, carving out a window into Dead Feather‘s soul. Not only does he draw on his ancestors’ desire for truth and justice, but he has also been inspired by a wider legacy of political and revolutionary figures like Malcolm X, Leonard Peltier and Bob Marley.
It was recorded at Remote Studios in Wellston, Oklahoma, with collaborators Adam Stanley and Isaac Nelson (members of Stanley Hotel), who added layers of smokey rock textures; the result is a refined balance between soul-rock grit and poetic spirituality. The vintage-inflected instrumentation soundtracks Dead Feather‘s poignant spoken-word performance, one that’s grounded in innate rhythms. As a deaf artist, he’s found unique ways to connect with music, including embracing silence as medium of resistance. Evidently, ‘Red Poem’ runs deep with meaning, rooted both in the past and the present. This goes beyond social commentary and is transformed into a statement of personal intent.
You can listen to ‘Red Poem’ in our Outsiders Club playlist.
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