Gyasi Ross

ISSKOOTSIK (Before Here Was Here) is the debut album from author, activist, attorney, and Native American spoken-word artist Gyasi Ross. A forceful collection ranging from historical facts to dreams of love and death and loathing, the release is driven by hypnotic original music under the guidance of Cabin Games producer Kjell Nelson, featuring Slug of ATMOSPHERE, Abiodun Oyewole of THE LAST POETS, and Northwest Independent music legend Steve Fisk, as well as traditional Native American performances from Nakoa HeavyRunner and Sacred Water.

Gyasi comes from both the Blackfeet and Suquamish Indian Nations and has gained visibility nationally as a representative of his community through frequent network television appearances and regular contributions to Huffington Post, Gawker, Deadspin and Indian Country Today.

Gyasi’s debut record resonates, ignites, and inspires while entertaining the senses. This music is alive with history, perspective and importance. This is a release that needs to be heard.

ISSKOOTSIK (Before Here Was Here) is the first product of a new collaboration between K and Cabin Games, a Native American-owned cross-genre music source launched by Rich Jensen (Sub Pop/Up Records) and Brodie Stevens.

The digital version of this album is available from Bandcamp.

1. Intro 
2. Border Town 
3. Marlon Brando (feat. Sacred Water) 
4. The Bohemian Spot 
5. Jesus (feat. Martin Sensmeier - flute) 
6. Interlude (Percy Bullchild) 
7. Harvard 
8. Winona LaDuke 
9. Interlude 
10. Before Here Was Here (Mike LaFromboise) 
11. Miss Lady 
12. Cousins 
13. Interlude (feat. Nakoa HeavyRunner) 
14. Night at the Roxbury 
15. No Assistance [Suicide] (feat. Slug & Richie Dagger's Crime) 
16. Outro (Geri Bullchild Purcell)

Press

“Vision, commitment and charisma are found in few people. These combined with humility are rare. Gyasi has all these and he represents the best off a new generation of leaders for indigenous and all communities.” (Winona LaDuke)

“In my book, one of the sharpest young intellectuals we have out there.” (Dr. Michael Eric Dyson)

Videos