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Rock the Capital Music Festival heats up Window Rock

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Memorial Day weekend festival draws local support

The Window Rock National Monument, in Window Rock, Ariz., was the iconic place for the first ever, “Rock the Capital Music Festival” May 27.

Almost every genre of music was present, from Blues, to Hip-Hop, to Heavy Metal, all performed by talented, local musicians entertaining eager concert goers.

Muddy Soul’z; Rippy and the Sillyettes; Country Alibi; Irv Wauneka; Phx Amongst the Dead; Decapition of a New Day; Now or Never;  Weedrat; The Flossies; Rei Gurren; Under Exile; Unsheate; Born of Winter; Ye’iitsho; I Dont Konform; and Ethnic Degeneration made the list of bands and soloists that rocked the outdoor arena.

The first of its kind, according to Jerold Cecil, who promoted the festival, was to bring the community together through music and showcase hidden talent that lies on the Navajo Reservation.

“Basically, this was a community event, and a perfect time to bring the community out to hear these talented musicians,” he said.

The festival began at noon, lasting well until midnight with several vendors on hand to join in on the festivities. The Navajo Nation Scholarship program gave out information in hopes of recruiting young adults who may attend college this Fall.

The smell of burgers being grilled from food vendors were on hand as the crowd enjoyed the diverse music of artists, such as Irv Wauneka, who wooed the crowd with his Hip-Hop acoustic set.

Playing for only for about a good year and a half, Wauneka, played a mixture of R&B, Hip-Hop, and a little slice of Funk. He was surprised about the turn out. Roughly 50 people were in attendance for some of the daytime performances.

“It was such a good turnout, and it’s better than I expected,” Wauneka said.

An injury to his hand caused him to switch genres, whereas before he would shred on the guitar he said, slowing him down so much that he wanted to give up.

“I didn’t want to (slow down), so I had to compromise my guitar playing with my singing voice,” he said. “It worked out and it played off well … so well that the complimentary demo CDs I brought all went quick.”

The festival grabbed the attention of Ashkan Soltani, a film professor out of Whittier College in Southern California. Soltani has been working on a research project on heavy metal for the past two years. Soltani explained that the music coming from reservations needs paying attention to.

“Everyone is surprised that Rock n’ Roll still exists on the reservation, instead of the stereotypical powwow music or traditional music,” he said. “It’s amazing how these young Native musicians still value their traditions, but are displaying it in modern form of expression to talk about the issues that they face.”

Soltani’s project is called “Rez Metal”, which he plans on finishing it in 2018. He focuses on the heavy metal scene throughout the Navajo Reservation, with special focus on the band “I Dont Konform,” as well as other bands.

“It’s been really fantastic to reunite with some the bands, and make new friends,” he said. “It’s very iconic to have it here at the Window Rock Monument … great acoustic, great crowd, very good mixed group of people here.”

Soltani said the band members he met two years ago have progressed in their art and talent.

Concert goer, Wil Loma, said the event “was off the hook.”

“I really can’t believe how much talent is here, and it should be recognized much more because these bands are so good and the music they write is just totally amazing,” she said.

Story and photos 
by Dee Velasco
For the Sun