THREE QUESTIONS WITH MUSICIAN/ ARTIST EHREN KEE NATAY

With Musician/Artist Ehren Kee Natay

COURTESY EHREN KEE NATAY

Did you hear about Spirit Rangers, a new animated Netflix program premiering Monday, Oct. 10—Indigenous Peoples Day? The firstever kids’ show created by a Native woman in US TV history—all hail creator Karissa Valencia (Chumash and Mexican)—and one which features an all-Native writers room, Spirit Rangers follows siblings Kodi, Eddy and Summer as they become park rangers, but they might just have secret animal powers (rad). There’s a local connection, too, with actor Wes Studi tackling the role of a character called Sunny, hoop dancer Shandien Larance knocking out a guest spot and local artist/ musician Ehren Kee Natay (Kewa Pueblo and Diné) writing and producing music for the show. We spoke with Natay to learn more about his contributions. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. (Alex De Vore)

How did you come to be involved with Spirit Rangers?

I came into contact with the crew through the producer, or I guess I should say songwriter Raye Zaragoza. She’s a singersongwriter based out of LA, and I’ve played drums for her whenever she came to New Mexico. We just have a real chemistry, and in November 2020, when the pandemic was insufferable, Raye gave me a call to say she was working on this show, they were writing songs and the show runner had been asking if there’s anybody who plays traditional drums and flutes. She said, ‘I know Ehren Kee Natay, he’s the perfect person.’ So they reached out and said, ‘We’ve got this song, it’s sort of a transformation song.’ If you can imagine when the Power Rangers would transform into the Megazord, it’s kind of the same thing. They said, ‘The kids transform into animals, and we need a sound that’s clearly Indigenous.’

So I had some ideas, sent it back to them real quick and they were impressed. From there, they brought me on to do 10 more songs and to actually write one myself. I believe I had my hand in 12 or 13 songs total. I had never done TV or film— I’d done a lot of theater work...so there was kind of a nice segue from watching dancers and knowing the expression and what they’re looking for.

I would say music is my primary practice. I’ve been doing that longer than anything. I would say I’m a contemporary musician with very strong roots in traditional music. I have a legacy of musicians in my family. My grandfather was the first Native American to be recorded and broadcast on the radio. I followed in his footsteps learning his songs, that’s how I became acquainted with traditional music. I hope to make my grandfather proud. He passed before I was born, so music was the only way I could connect.

What was the process like for finding the music?

The [music] writers were Raye, who I told you about, and the two others are Michael Kooman and Christopher Diamond, and they’re amazing Broadway musicians out in NYC, and they were like, ‘We can’t give this an Indigenous sound, we don’t even want to try—just send us what you feel, what you hear, what inspires you, and we’ll tell you what we’re looking for, and we’ll pass the songs back and forth.’ That’s what I did. I added flutes, and I have a large collection of rattles, traditional drums and instruments from all over the world. I collected this stuff because I thought it was interesting, and finally I got to use it.

And I didn’t have the accolades for them to put that level of trust in me, but we’re at a point in this Indigenous revolution of media right now where we haven’t had the reins throughout the history of filmmaking, but finally we’re being given that chance, so you’re going to see a lot of newcomers.

Let’s talk about the concept of representation. Obviously you’re more of an adult as far as I know, but is a program like this still exciting?

Totally. As a kid and watching cartoons, you start to realize there’s nobody like me on TV. I remember specifically this moment with the GI Joe cartoon when [the creators] said to send in drawings and they’d maybe create them and put them on the show. I was probably about 7 or 8 years old, and I did it. I said, ‘I’m going to make a Native character who’s not like...’ I don’t know his name, but he’s the stoic Indian with the wolf and the eagle? I created this kind of Street Fighter character, and he was badass.

I always wanted that from the time I was young without even understanding what I was seeking. I was creating characters with Indigenous and Diné influence—things that looked really different and unique. There’s been a huge misrepresentation of our culture as pan-Indian, and only with very specific characteristics. If we could’ve made those decisions ourselves, comedy would have definitely been at the heart of it. It’s been such a tool for our pathology of survival.

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ENTREFLAMENCO

El Flamenco Cabaret 135 W Palace Ave. (505) 209-1302 Antonio Granjero and Estefania Ramirez. 6:15 pm, $25-$45

EVENTS

GEEKS WHO DRINK

Social Kitchen + Bar 725 Cerrillos Road (505) 982-5952 To-the-death trivia cage match. 7 pm, free

THURSDAY NIGHT SOCIAL

Santa Fe Public Library La Farge Branch 1730 Llano St. (505) 955-4860 Board games and more. 10:30 am, free

YOGA & MOVEMENT FOR KIDS

Santa Fe Public Library La Farge Branch 1730 Llano St. (505) 955-4860 A yoga class designed for kids. 10:30 am, free

ABBOT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN

Jean Cocteau Cinema 418 Montezuma Ave. (505) 466-5528 A second chance to catch the old-timey fave. 6:30 pm, $10

SELF-DOCUMENTED: THE 1977 NATIVE AMERICAN VIDEO TAPE ARCHIVE

Center for Contemporary Arts 1050 Old Pecos Trail (505) 982-1338 From the 1977 Native American video tape archive. (See SFR Picks, page 21) 6 pm, $15

MUSIC

BLAIR AND PHIL

2846 Highway 14 Madrid (505) 473-0743 Singer-songwriter team. 7 pm, free

CHESS & JAZZ CLUB

No Name Cinema 2013 Pinon St. It’s a well-named club. 6-8 pm, free

CLARK LIBBEY AND KRISTEN RAD

Mine Shaft Tavern 2846 Highway 14, Madrid (505) 473-0743 Country folk. 1 pm, free

ESTHER ROSE

El Rey Court 1862 Cerrillos Road (505) 982-1931 The Lousiana-based country maven comes to town. 6 pm, free

OSCAR BUTLER

Cowgirl 319 S Guadalupe St. (505) 982-2565 Easy listening. 4 pm, free

ROBERT WILSON

The Dragon Room 406 Old Santa Fe Trail (505) 983-7712 Local singer. 5:30 pm, free

THEATER

THE CHILDREN

New Mexico Actors Lab 1213 Parkway Drive (505) 466-3533 Tony-nominated Lucy Kirkwood play about retired scientists in the midst of an apocalypse. 7:30 pm, $15

WORKSHOP

ACRO BALANCE WITH COLLEEN AND JO

Wise Fool New Mexico 1131 Siler Road, Ste. B. (505) 992-2588 AKA acro-yoga. 5:30-7 pm, $22-$108

YOGA FOR KIDS

La Farge Library 1730 Llano St. (505) 820-0292 Exactly what it sounds like. 10:30 am, free

FRI/7

ART

2022 SANTA FE STUDIO TOUR

Santa Fe Woman's Club and Artists' Studios 1616 Old Pecos Trail Preview works by artists from the tour. 5-8 pm, free

A NEW MEXICAN BURIAL

No Name Cinema 2013 Pinon St. nonamecinema.org A photographic survey by JC Gonzo of cemeteries located throughout the state of New Mexico, from abandoned to active, documented in a variety of analog formats, including 35mm and 120 film. Weird, old creepy stuff is fun! During events or by appt., free

ARTIST RECEPTION FOR SASHA VOM DORP (OPENING)

MoMo 143 Lincoln Ave. (505) 690-7871 Multidisciplinary Taos artist Sasha vom Dorp. 5-7 pm, free

DOUG WEST: CHACO CANYON AND BEYOND (OPENING)

Blue Rain Gallery 544 S Guadalupe St. (505) 954-9902 Magical skies and environments of the Southwest. 5-7 pm, free

KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON (OPENING)

El Zaguán 545 Canyon Road (505) 982-0016 A collection of linoleum block prints carved, inked and printed by Scott W. Parker. 5 pm, free

MAX COLE: ENDLESS JOURNEY (OPENING)

SITE Santa Fe 1606 Paseo de Peralta (505) 989-1199 Paintings and works on paper spanning 1962-2022. 5 pm, free

MEET THE ARTIST: SHARON MEYER (OPENING)

Blue Rain Gallery 544 S Guadalupe St. (505) 954-9902 Meyer releases a new line of jewelry and a special ensemble of high-level couture pieces. 4-7 pm, free

SHIRIN NESHAT: LAND OF DREAMS (OPENING)

SITE Santa Fe 1606 Paseo de Peralta (505) 989-1199 A solo exhibition by IranianAmerican artist and filmmaker Neshat. 5 pm, free

TAL WALTON: MEMORIES FROM THE BOX IN MY MIND

Victory Contemporary 124 W Palace Ave. (505) 983-8589 Walton drops his newest landscapes and barn paintings. 10 am -5 pm daily, free

THOM ROSS

Sorrel Sky Gallery 125 W Palace Ave. (505) 501-6555 Folk heroes and more. 5-7 pm, free

TIMELESS ENCHANTMENT WITH MANFRED RAPP (OPENING)

The Signature Gallery 102 E Water St. (505) 983-1050 New works, including altered furniture. 5-7:30 pm, free

TINA MION: HOLY GHOSTS (OPENING)

Kouri+Carrao Gallery 3213 Calle Marie (505) 820-1888 Paintings and drawings exploring tragedy and improbable beauty. 5-7 pm, free

MONTROSE TRIO

Tuesday, November 1 I 7:30 p.m. I New Mexico Museum of Art

Works by David Baker, Joan Tower, Mieczyslaw Weinberg, and Johannes Brahms

“Absolutely top-notch music-making, as fine as one could ever expect to hear.” —The Washington Post

Montrose Trio is presented through the generosity of the Gordon Family Season Sponsors: Ann Murphy Daily and William W. Daily; Leah Gordon

tickets start at $35 PerformanceSantaFe.org I 505.984.8759

TODD RYAN WHITE: DESERT SOLITAIRE (OPENING)

Hecho Gallery 129 W Palace Ave. (505) 455-6882 White goes minimal than he usually does with new observational pieces. (See A&C, page 35) 5-7 pm, free

TRAVELS ACROSS THE ROOF OF THE WORLD: A HIMALAYAN MEMOIR BOOK LAUNCH & LECTURE

Peyton Wright 237 E Palace Ave. (505) 989-9888 Photographer (and SFR fave) William Frej and his wife Anne drop a new book about their travels through the Hindu Kush, India, Nepal, Tibet and beyond. 5-7:30 pm, free

BOOKS/LECTURES

READ RUNNERS BOOK CLUB

Santa Fe Public Library La Farge Branch 1730 Llano St. (505) 955-4860 A book club for kids 9-12 run by kids 9-12. 3:45 pm, free

WHO ARE YOU DROP-IN SELFPORTAIT MAKING

Santa Fe Public Library La Farge Branch 1730 Llano St. (505) 955-4860 Create your own self-portrait. 2 pm, free

DANCE

LA EMI FALL SERIES

The Lodge at Santa Fe 750 N St. Francis Drive (505) 992-5800 Some of the best flamenco around with the internationally trained performer. 7:30 pm, $25-$55

ENTREFLAMENCO

El Flamenco Cabaret 135 W Palace Ave. (505) 209-1302 Antonio Granjero and Estefania Ramirez strut their flamenco stuff in style. 6:15 pm, $25-$45 EVENTS

POTTERY THROW DOWN!

Paseo Pottery 1273 Calle de Comercio (505) 988-7687 Pottery demos, music, drinks. 5-8 pm, $20

QUILT FIESTA SANTA FE

Santa Fe Community Convention Center 201 W Marcy St. (505) 955-6590 Quilts! Quilts! Quilts! 9 am-5 pm, $10

FILM

KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE

Jean Cocteau Cinema 418 Montezuma Ave. (505) 466-5528 You either know it or not, and if you know it you know it’s weird and glorious. 6 pm and 9 pm, $10-$20

MUSIC

BLACK MESA BRASS QUINTET

First Presbyterian Church 208 Grant Ave. (505) 982-8544 Classical, pop and jazz tunes as part of the church’s ongoing TGIF series. 5:15 pm, free

DAVID BERKELEY

Reunity Farms 1829 San Ysidro Crossing A gifted singer-songwriter. 6:30-9:30 pm, $15

DJ DYNAMITE SOL

Boxcar 530 S Guadalupe St. (505) 988-7222 Hip-hop, R&B, soul and more. 10 pm, $5

DOSO DIRTBAGS

Mine Shaft Tavern 2846 Highway 14, Madrid (505) 473-0743 Blues meets punk somehow. 8 pm, free

IMARHAN

Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery 2791 Agua Fría St. (505) 303-3808 Ummmmm, Algerian Tuareg desert rock? Yes, please. 7:30 pm, free

LUCY BARNA

Mine Shaft Tavern 2846 Highway 14, Madrid (505) 473-0743 Singer-songwriter Barna drops songs from her What I Know is True album and beyond. 5 pm, free

MAGDALENA BAY

Meow Wolf 1352 Rufina Circle (505) 395-6369 Synth-pop and electronic. This is very Meow Wolfy, y’know? Like, you know what we mean by that? 10 pm, $21

UNDERGROUND CADENCE

Cowgirl 319 S Guadalupe St. (505) 982-2565 Eclectic and bluesy rock. 8 pm, free

THEATER

THE CHILDREN

New Mexico Actors Lab 1213 Parkway Drive (505) 466-3533 The New Mexico Actors Lab’s Robert Benedetti directs thisTony-nominated Lucy Kirkwood play about retired scientists who find themselves in the midst of some sort of apocalyptic event. 7:30 pm, $15

THE MOUNTAINTOP

Santa Fe Playhouse 142 E De Vargas St. (505) 988-4262 The night before his 1968 assassination, Martin Luther King, Jr. retires to the Lorraine Hotel in this stirring play from Katori Hall that explores and humanizes the civil rights leader and orator. 7:30-10 pm, $30-$75

WORKSHOP

MAKE SANTA FE TOUR

MAKE Santa Fe 2879 All Trades Road (505) 819-3502 Get some As to your Qs at the local makerspace which, if you didn’t know, is all about helping folks make stuff on their own terms. 6 pm, free

SAT/8

ART

2022 SANTA FE STUDIO TOUR PREVIEW GALLERY

Santa Fe Woman's Club and Artists' Studios 1616 Old Pecos Trail Visit santafestudiotour.org to learn more. (See SFR Picks, page 19) 5-8 pm, free

MEET THE ARTIST: SHARON MEYER

Blue Rain Gallery 544 S Guadalupe St. (505) 954-9902 Jewelry+couture—together at last, right? Naw, just kidding, they’re often together. 4-7 pm, free

MY LIFE IN ART: SHIRIN NESHAT

SITE Santa Fe 1606 Paseo de Peralta (505) 989-7799 Neshat and Lucy Lippard in conversation about her film and art. 2 pm, free

SANTA FE ARTISTS MARKET

In the West Casitas, north of the water tower 1612 Alcaldesa St. Weekly outdoor art market. 9 am-2 pm, free

WORKING THROUGH LUNCH —A GROUP EXHIBITION (OPENING)

Title Gallery 423 W San Francisco St. titlegallery.com More artists than we can fit! 6-8 pm, free

BOOKS/LECTURES

BABY & TODDLER PLAY HOUR

Santa Fe Public Library Main Branch 145 Washington Ave. (505) 955-6781 A time for kids to play. 10:30 am, free

BILINGUAL BOOKS & BABIES

Santa Fe Public Library Southside Branch 6599 Jaguar Drive (505) 955-2580 Books and music. 10 am, free

FRIENDS OF THE SANTA FE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK SALE

Santa Fe Public Library Main Branch 145 Washington Ave. (505) 955-6781 Time to stock up on books. 9:30 am-2:30 pm, free

LANGUAGE OF NEW MEXICO

Santa Fe Public Library Main Branch 145 Washington Ave. (505) 955-6781 Presentation on local language. 3 pm, free

POETRY WORKSHOP WITH LUCI TAPAHANSO

Santa Fe Public Library Main Branch 145 Washington Ave. (505) 955-6781 For teens, tweens and adults. 4 pm, free

SOMOS UN PUEBLO UNIDO

Santa Fe Public Library Southside Branch 6599 Jaguar Drive (505) 955-2580 The social justice organization talks on the importance of collective action. 1 pm, free

DANCE

LA EMI FALL SERIES

The Lodge at Santa Fe 750 N St. Francis Drive (505) 992-5800 Just some of the best flamenco. 7:30 pm, $25-$55

ENTREFLAMENCO

El Flamenco Cabaret 135 W Palace Ave. (505) 209-1302 Flamenco with Antonio Granjero and Estefania Ramirez. 6:15 pm, $25-$45

EVENTS

FULL MOON CEREMONY

Puerta de la Luna 546 Harkle Road (505) 982-1200 Drumming and ceremony. 3:30 pm, free

SKY RAILWAY: SUNSET SERENADE

Santa Fe Railyard Plaza 1612 Alcaldesa St. Trains, cocktails sunsets. 6 pm, $99

STORY SLAM!

Santa Fe Botanical Garden 715 Camino Lejo (505) 471-9103 Ten people tell their story in just a few short minutes. This is how you connect with others. 1 pm, $7 (by admission)

OPEN HOUSE OCTOBERFEST

The Horse Shelter 100AB Old Cash Ranch Road Los Cerrillos (505) 471-6179 A fun-filled and horse-fact-filled day at The Horse Shelter. 11 am-3 pm, free

WALK WITH US FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Bicentennial Alto Park 1121 Alto St. namisantafe.org The walk supports NAMI, Santa Fe's free mental health programs and services. 9 am, free

WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS: STORYTELLING AND ACTIVISM THROUGH WATERCOLOR

Santa Fe Public Library La Farge Branch 1730 Llano St. (505) 955-4860 An art class for kids 9-15. 3 pm, free

FILM

KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE

Jean Cocteau Cinema 418 Montezuma Ave. (505) 466-5528 You should just know this movie by now. Here, let us help: It’s about killer klowns who come to town from outer space to wreak their unique brand of clownish havoc. So good. 6 pm and 9 pm, $10-$20

THE SOULTANGLER

No Name Cinema 2013 Pinon St. The local anti-profit cinema screens Pat Bishow’s 1987 kitschy masterpiece, which is reportedly a little bit Lovecraft and a whole lotta good example of outsider cinema. There’s even free popcorn, we hear. 7 pm, free

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