04.13.09 - Indigenous Creates Scholarship Program to Benefit American Indian College Fund Students
Denver, Colo. - Indigenous has created a scholarship program to be run by the American Indian College Fund. Under the program, the band has designated their scholarship to benefit students attending three tribal colleges in their home state of South Dakota.
Mato Nanji of Indigenous had this to say about the new Indigenous scholarship fund, "I am honored to help establish the Indigenous Scholarship Fund with the AICF. My wife and children mean the world to me, and they have helped me most to appreciate the importance of creating hope and opportunity for young American Indian people. Education is the first step in helping American Indian people reach their goals and I am happy to play a role that supports and inspires people to be the best that they can be."
Mato is the lead singer and founder of the band. He established Indigenous in 1990. The band is acclaimed for its amazing live shows along with Mato Nanji's incredible vocal prowess and out-of-this-world guitar solos.
The scholarships will support qualified American Indian students by providing financial resources to encourage them to complete a college degree. Fifty-one percent of American Indian students living in reservation communities live below the national poverty line, according to the U.S. Census. Reservations typically have much higher unemployment rates as well, making a college education, books, and transportation costs difficult to afford. Yet, with an education, tribal college graduations can build a better life for themselves, their families, and make valuable contributions to their communities, spurring economic development.
"The generosity of Mato and Indigenous will help five American Indian college students pursue their dreams," said Richard B. Williams, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. "As a Native himself, Mato understands the challenges American Indian people face. His generosity also embodies the values of Native people, and serves as a role model to other Natives. By helping the American Indian College Fund to educate the mind and spirit, Mato and Indigenous are making a difference in Native communities and our nation."
About the American Indian College Fund:
With its credo "Educating the Mind and Spirit," the Denver-based American Indian College Fund is the nation's largest provider of private scholarships for American Indian students, providing more than 4,000 scholarships annually for students seeking to better their lives and communities through education at the nation's 32 accredited tribal colleges and universities. For more information about the American Indian College Fund or to make a donation, visit www.collegefund.org.
Mato Nanji of Indigenous had this to say about the new Indigenous scholarship fund, "I am honored to help establish the Indigenous Scholarship Fund with the AICF. My wife and children mean the world to me, and they have helped me most to appreciate the importance of creating hope and opportunity for young American Indian people. Education is the first step in helping American Indian people reach their goals and I am happy to play a role that supports and inspires people to be the best that they can be."
Mato is the lead singer and founder of the band. He established Indigenous in 1990. The band is acclaimed for its amazing live shows along with Mato Nanji's incredible vocal prowess and out-of-this-world guitar solos.
The scholarships will support qualified American Indian students by providing financial resources to encourage them to complete a college degree. Fifty-one percent of American Indian students living in reservation communities live below the national poverty line, according to the U.S. Census. Reservations typically have much higher unemployment rates as well, making a college education, books, and transportation costs difficult to afford. Yet, with an education, tribal college graduations can build a better life for themselves, their families, and make valuable contributions to their communities, spurring economic development.
"The generosity of Mato and Indigenous will help five American Indian college students pursue their dreams," said Richard B. Williams, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. "As a Native himself, Mato understands the challenges American Indian people face. His generosity also embodies the values of Native people, and serves as a role model to other Natives. By helping the American Indian College Fund to educate the mind and spirit, Mato and Indigenous are making a difference in Native communities and our nation."
About the American Indian College Fund:
With its credo "Educating the Mind and Spirit," the Denver-based American Indian College Fund is the nation's largest provider of private scholarships for American Indian students, providing more than 4,000 scholarships annually for students seeking to better their lives and communities through education at the nation's 32 accredited tribal colleges and universities. For more information about the American Indian College Fund or to make a donation, visit www.collegefund.org.
09.16.08 - Experience Hendrix 2008 Tribute Tour begins 19 date nationwide tour with October 15th kick-off show in Hampton Beach, NH
The critically acclaimed Experience Hendrix Tour returns this October and November with a 19-date nationwide tour that kicks-off October 15th in Hampton Beach, NH.
The 2008 Experience Hendrix Tour follows on the heels of successful mini tours in 2004 and 2007; this time featuring an expanded natiownide tour schedule and artist line-up the features the likes Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf), Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Brad Whitford (Aerosmith), Doyle Bramhall II, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji (Indigenous), Chris Layton (Double Trouble) and special guests at selected locations including Cesar Rojas and David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), Bernard Allison, Robby Krieger (The Doors) and many more.
The 2008 Experience Hendrix Tour follows on the heels of successful mini tours in 2004 and 2007; this time featuring an expanded natiownide tour schedule and artist line-up the features the likes Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf), Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Brad Whitford (Aerosmith), Doyle Bramhall II, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji (Indigenous), Chris Layton (Double Trouble) and special guests at selected locations including Cesar Rojas and David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), Bernard Allison, Robby Krieger (The Doors) and many more.
09.04.08 - Indigenous Jam
08.15.08 - Broken Lands - Song Lyrics
As promised we have posted all of the lyrics from the new Broken Lands CD. You can view all lyrics here.
08.14.08 - Free Music
08.01.08 - Mato Nanji Pays Homage To His Native American Heritage On New Recording
Guitar virtuoso/singer/songwriter Mato Nanji returns as Indigenous with his sophomore Vanguard release, Broken Lands, on August 19th. With Broken Lands, Mato Nanji (which means "Standing Bear" as translated from the Nakota dialect) articulates an intensely personal record that pays tribute to his Native American heritage. The twelve songs written by Mato and his wife, Leah hold special meaning with lyrics that speak straight from the heart. Leah Nanji also provides background vocals. The title, Broken Lands, is pulled from the lyrics of "Place I Know", a song about the reality of life on the reservation.
Raised as a member of the Nakota Sioux Nation on the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Mato first came to musical prominence when he formed Indigenous with his brother, sister and cousin. In 1998, they released their debut, Things We Do, which received wide, mass reception and included the Top 10 smash hit "Now That You're Gone" and the Top 20 rock singles "Things We Do" and "Got To Tell You." Indigenous continued their radio success with 2000's Circle, which included the triumphs of "Little Time" and "Rest Of My Days." After three successful albums, the siblings went their separate ways, and Mato forged ahead as the face of Indigenous releasing his Vanguard debut, Chasing The Sun. Chasing The Sun's fiery blues prowess solidified Mato as one of blues-rock's most exciting talents.
While his debut album focused purely on guitar ingenuity and Chasing The Sun made the natural evolution toward lyrical substance, Broken Lands displays the culmination of maturity both sonically and lyrically. This new recording marks an augmentation of the Blues into Roots, World and Americana territories, by incorporating native percussion, slide, lap steel and acoustic guitars, and through the creative partnership formed with producer/mixer Jamie Candiloro (Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, REM).
Raised as a member of the Nakota Sioux Nation on the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Mato first came to musical prominence when he formed Indigenous with his brother, sister and cousin. In 1998, they released their debut, Things We Do, which received wide, mass reception and included the Top 10 smash hit "Now That You're Gone" and the Top 20 rock singles "Things We Do" and "Got To Tell You." Indigenous continued their radio success with 2000's Circle, which included the triumphs of "Little Time" and "Rest Of My Days." After three successful albums, the siblings went their separate ways, and Mato forged ahead as the face of Indigenous releasing his Vanguard debut, Chasing The Sun. Chasing The Sun's fiery blues prowess solidified Mato as one of blues-rock's most exciting talents.
While his debut album focused purely on guitar ingenuity and Chasing The Sun made the natural evolution toward lyrical substance, Broken Lands displays the culmination of maturity both sonically and lyrically. This new recording marks an augmentation of the Blues into Roots, World and Americana territories, by incorporating native percussion, slide, lap steel and acoustic guitars, and through the creative partnership formed with producer/mixer Jamie Candiloro (Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, REM).