3 June 2021
Hi it’s Mato.. per the title of this website. I make music under the name “Mato.” It used to be “Mato Wayuhi” but to be more commercially viable I had to shorten it. Plus no one can pronounce “Wayuhi,” not even some folks from my own tribe. A friend of mine who is also my mom said I’m whitewashing because of the name change.. but she’s white.. which either makes her the most or least qualifiable person to hold that criticism.
If anyone other than my proofreader who is also me reads this, I’ll be surprised. I don’t have that intense of a fanbase yet. I used to have friends who became fans because of their disposition. You know when a dog sniffs any/all food that falls to the floor? Won’t even eat it sometimes, but always gives those food droppings a cursory sniff. That’s what my first fans were like. No one particularly liked anything I dropped. They just came to sniff it, then looked up at me with big eyes longing for something more savory. All my fans were also furry and shit outside. I’m my biggest fan.
I’m starting this blog to document the finite moments and experiences that bless my unusual lifestyle. I feel like my life is a game of mad libs, for good measure; the best kind of living is the unexpected kind. Particularly the past few weeks, which are worth a write-up on. Also I just put out two projects, Pleasure & The Ends EP … their releases warrant a whole film adaptation.. fuck.
Okay let’s begin with early May, where I said farewell to the blustery desert of New Mexico en route to flat South Dakota. I did so to surprise-visit my mom for Mother’s Day. She had no clue I was coming! It was sweet. My dad passed away this last September, which wholly rocked all of our worlds. The pieces may never be picked up.. but you learn to watch your step as you walk around them.
While I was there I prepared for a booked virtual performance for this Native filmmaker’s lab through Sundance. 3 years ago they rejected my short film script when applying for the lab. :)
Amongst the preparation for the Sundance gig I was also writing a keynote speech for a high school graduation out on the Northern Cheyenne reservation in Montana. In Spring of ’20 I was supposed to give a keynote speech at my own college graduation alongside Ariana Huffington.. but the Panda Mick deaded that. This was a redemptive effort, in front of an audience that mattered more to me anyhow.
I was also starting work on this TV show called Reservation Dogs as its composer. That’s been mad cute. The showrunner Sterlin is good people, and the series itself is powerful. Collaboration is an aspect of my creativity that is stifled. That’s kinda how it happened for me — moved to LA, was alone a lot, needed to learn the tools of self-sufficiency. Now the goal is to eradicate the comfort of isolation & share my gifts with others & vice versa.
THEN I WAS ALSO TRYNA RELEASE THESE MUSICAL PROJECTS. Since my last album Scatterbrain came out, I’ve had dummy focus on what was next to come. Scatterbrain is my ugly child. No song on it is really popular. It’s not an easy listen. I still love Scatterbrain dearly.. I just tell it that looks aren’t everything.
It was imperative that these next releases gain me some momentum in my career. I don’t mean going viral or making radio hits. All I wanted was to prove to myself that I have the skill to hold my own & to help hold others up one day.
19 months later we have Pleasure & The Ends. The release of them was trying to say the least. I won’t go into specifics, but essentially many things that could’ve gone wrong did. Issues with distribution, the cover art, my entire YouTube page getting deleted for no reason. It was maddening.
This is getting too long for my first writeup so lemme paraphrase the rest.. I’m also bored & want to go run around outside before dinner.
The Ends EP comes out… does well for what it is. People connected with them songs I feel. Also my favorites out of what has come out.
I drive to Montana.
“Constellations” song & video release.. since then it’s been my best performing song !! Video isn’t getting that much love anymore but it’s still fuego.
I fly to LA to direct this promotional dance video ting in North Hollywood. That was 10/10 man… So fun & amazing & yes I need to direct more.
Pleasure drops that Friday.. what a feeling that was. Sitting outside on Sawtelle Blvd with some good friends, eating sushi, scoffing at our waitress whose tinges of racism shined brightly. All I could ask for in that moment.. truly.
Fly back to Montana.
Partake in my friend Courtney’s naming ceremony. Natives like to accessorize with names because it represents a new foray in their life. Sometimes Natives earn a name or are given one that represents their actions or behavior. It’s an honorable thing for sure for sure. I believe her new name was “Brave Woman” in Cheyenne. Mato Wayuhi is my Lakota name, meaning “Conquering Bear.”
Finally I drive to New Mexico. Now we’re here… eloped again with the winds of New Mexico.
These posts will flow nicer in the future I’m sure. With my music and overall being, I don’t care to be too shouty about how I operate. Leaving little gems here & there for those who care to look is fun to me. So enjoy these !! I’ll aim for one or two every couple weeks.
Peace and love.. a song one might consider listening to is “Love is Stronger Than Pride” by Amber Marks (it’s a Sade cover.. idk why but all Sade covers I end up liking more than their original).