Utah musician Michael Gross, who records and performs under the name Whisperhawk, is about to release a new album whose songs reflect his Indigenous heritage and tribal history.
Michael Gross, who records and performs under the name Whisperhawk, an Indigenous musician in Utah, at Fort Douglas, on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.“ are three things that I care about, which are music, the culture and where I come from,” Gross said. “So, to me, it just made sense to try to combine the best I could.”and half Welsh. His upcoming album “Keepers of the Earth Vol. 2″ is steeped in cultural reflections and, as he put it, “thoughts on events that affect” his tribe.
When he wrote the first volume, Gross said he was just getting involved with Native American politics, taking a leadership position on his tribe’s council. The resulting tracks are stripped down, with some of the indie-rock flair Gross said he wanted to infuse in the tracks. There’s some light guitar and drums here and there, creating a folk and Americana vibe, like a grittier version of The Lumineers.
Gross continued: “You go from just living your normal life and taking care of your family and your people and just surviving, really, and then seemingly overnight, everything’s changed. You don’t recognize anything that’s happening, and then you just get murdered. … Your tribe folk are just murdered in a sneak attack massacre at dawn in the middle of winter.
“We are Indigenous to this area, northern Utah, in Willow Valley — that’s what the Shoshone called it, but we know now as Cache Valley,” he said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eight Utah pedestrians hit and killed on Utah roads in OctoberAs Utahns head into the weekend before Halloween, state safety officials are pleading with drivers and pedestrians to use caution.
Read more »
8 Utah pedestrians hit and killed on Utah roads in OctoberAs Utahns head into the weekend before Halloween, state safety officials are pleading with drivers and pedestrians to use caution.
Read more »
Live Music at Q Bar – Michael AlanisLocal musician Michael Alanis will perform at Hyatt Regency San Antonio River Walk’s Q Bar on Friday, October 27, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Read more »
Week 9 college football preview: Why Utah is the nation’s most compelling teamUtah, the two-time defending Pac-12 champions, has a critical matchup against Oregon on Saturday.
Read more »
Intimate, Engrossing Bad Press Breaks Ground for an Indigenous Free PressTracking the battle for freedom of the press in the Muscogee Nation, the film is a riveting procedural documentary. Our Bad Press review:
Read more »
Cam Rising reveals Utah football helmets for Oregon gameCheck out what helmets Utah football will wear against Oregon on Saturday.
Read more »