Week in Pop: xCephasx, Krystle Warren, QOQO ROBOQS

Post Author: Sjimon Gompers

Indian Agent

Getting woke with Alaska’s Indian Agent; press photo courtesy of the group.

Introducing Alaska’s Indian Agent, comprised of Yéil Ya-Tseen [Nicholas Galanin], OCnotes [Otis Calvin III], and Zak Dylan Wass who offer a listen to the lead off song, “Life keeps on spinning” that celebrates a natural order of liberated life outside the colonial framework. Found off their album Meditations in The Key of Red available October 13 through HomeSkillet Records; the trio takes back the moniker historically designated as a governing settlers post position to control the Indigenous populous by turning the term into a caretaker type of role of gifting back the land & people songs to lift all things upward toward a greater, more enlightened consciousness.
“Life keeps on spinning” is a reminder of the good news that the earth carries onward with us and/or without us. Indian Agent stirs something of a transcendental experience where the hook loops, electronic accompaniment & lively rhythms encourage all to partake in the dance of life. Yéil Ya-Tseen, OCnotes & and Zak Dylan Wass take back the narrative of manifest destinies & colonial usurpers for a prayer of healing for the earth & all its inhabitants. As the song continues along it’s waves of warbled melodies, butterfly keyboards, expressive chords & hushed harmonies in the vocal deliveries—”Life keeps on spinning” swiftly becomes an out of body experience where the listener can virtually witness themselves flying above a land that belongs to everyone.
Indian Agent offered us the following artist statement:

This was a project that started three years ago, we have collaborated with some of our favorite artists recording most of the album in Alaska. Meditations in The Key of Red is a reflection on the current state of things in this world, Red is Indigenous, red is anger and red is love.