The Crate

“The music we love is that which represents and honors the traditions and futures of Indigenous communities while creating a space for dynamic creators to express their own unique artistic vision,” says Stephen Butler, owner and executive producer of Buffalo Jump Records, about the imprint’s takeover of our playlist of vintage grooves. “Traditional, neo-traditional, and beyond—all of it presents the crucial, authentic voices of Indigenous life to the world. This playlist presents the work which some of our artists have done, what has inspired them, and what projects they are crafting at the moment.” Read on for Butler’s commentary on a few of their selections, and if you hear something you like, be sure to add it to your library. Fawn Wood, “Hopelessly Devoted” (feat. Alan DiPerna) “We love that this track from Fawn is essentially a traditional Cree Round Dance set in such a way that it feels like a piano ballad. A new listener encounters this beautiful Plains Cree singing tradition without even knowing it but feeling the direct human power of Fawn’s songwriting and singing. The balance of fragility and strength in her voice is inimitable Fawn Wood.” Louie Gonnie, “Dookóóslííd” (feat. Alex E. Smith, Cheevers Toppah & Nitanis “Kit” Largo) “A song composed by the late singer Louie Gonnie, who died in 2023 at far too young an age. This song honors the land of his Dine people and is totally mesmerizing and hypnotic. The added harmonies by Smith, Toppah, and Largo stretch this out into ambient clouds of gauzy vocals.” Northern Cree, “Aho” “There is nothing like standing alongside a phenomenal Pow-Wow group like Northern Cree, feeling the beat of the drum and soaring group voices with an intensity that rivals a fully plugged-in rock band. Pow-Wow has and always will be the Indigenous form of ‘pop’ music.” Willie Dunn, “I Pity the Country” “This gorgeous, heartbreaking, and action-inspiring song reveals deep layers of what Indigenous communities (and all marginalized peoples, for that matter) have experienced and continue to experience. The juxtaposition of Willie’s vocal and the tragic implications of the lyrics is heart-wrenching and spot-on.”