Dakota Yazzie (bandleader and producer): “Yáágo Dootlizh” took 2 1/2 years to make from the writing, to arrangements, to collabs, to recording and production. We recorded mainly at @animalia__studios in Santa Fe, NM with Alex Simon among the Juniper arroyos and Sangre De Cristos.
The intention behind the album is to bridge aspects of Diné creation/spirituality with modern mythology(the experiences we have as Indigenous folk) thru the art forms of RnB, Fusion, Soul.
How do our Gods live in this modern world? As an extension of our ancestry, do our lives hold the same symbols and stories within us? And how do we bring these ideas back home in a way that’s digestible?
20 musicians, 18 of which are Indigenous, on this album reflects this move away from individuality within the music. These stories could only be told thru a community, thru collaboration between tribes and time(even some enemy tribes came together). The individual is a western myth.
The sound is rich, we have all these fuckin instruments on this thang: saxophone, bass, flutes, cello, violin, synth, Rhodes, grand piano, Spanish guitar, electric guitar, rain stick (hahaha), shakers, drums, congas, and even a god damn garden tool.
I had to study for two years to even have the skill level to write and perform the album, I very much learned as I went and pushed beyond all former discipline to ensure this work is the greatest.
Worked with Hopi guys Star Not-Afraid and Hoitema for some of the language aspect. Also finally recovered a full hour long interview with my great grandmother Tiana Bighorse for this album. Her father survived the long walk. It’s something close to my heart, my soul, my being that I’m sharing with y’all.
I took a lot of creative liberties and broke a lot of Diné rules to create this work. But I believe what we made is greater than the sum of its parts.
Can’t wait to announce the features artists. Thank y’all for fw with us and showing us love always. Stream our old shit in the meantime.”
The album is currently being mixed. Look for advance singles coming soon!
Photos by Cheyenne Weston
