This is a benefit concert to support Jim PepperFest 2023: Speak/Sing NativeTM. Keep it Free!
The 11th annual Jim Pepper Native Arts Festival
“Makes me feel glad that I’m not dead”
--Jim Pepper, Witchi Tai To, 1971
Doors at 6:30 | Show at 7:00
All ages are welcome.
Free parking is available in the lot across the street until full.
Based out of New Mexico, Innastate is gaining international attention for their unique brand of reggae. The band’s sound is modern yet honors their Indigenous heritage, musical roots and love of music. The band believes in the power of music to connect people, offering heartfelt songs that reflect on the human experience, spirituality and environmental issues.
Innastate is Adrian Wall on guitar/vocals (Jemez Pueblo), Rylan Kabotie (Santa Clara Pueblo/Jicarilla Apache) on bass/vocal, Lawrence Bailon (Santa Clara Pueblo/Kewa Pueblo) on drums, Carlo Bluehouse Johnson (Isleta Pueblo) on guitar, Romeo Alonzo on Alto Saxophone and MC Tbone on the trombone/lyrical stylings.
The band released their debut self-titled EP in April of 2015 to wide acclaim and a growing fan base that earned the group, Artist of the Month by RockwiredMagazine.com and the 2016 Rockwired Reader’s poll award for Best Performance by an American Indian/First Nations Band or Artist. In 2016 Innastate was nominated for "Best Reggae Song" by the New Mexico Music Awards.
The band's evolving sound and songwriting is showcased on their debut full length CD “Verde”, released September 2018. Crafted after a rigorous live performance schedule, “Verde” has received a respectable amount of plays in the digital realm as well as on the airwaves across the country. Thanks to songs like “Sailing” and “Summertime”, Innastate’s presence continues to grow.
“Verde” was nominated for three New Mexico Music Awards in 2019, including Best Reggae Song, Best Native American Song and Best Packaging. In 2019, Innastate was also voted “Best Reggae Band” by the Alibi Readers Poll readership in Albuquerque, NM.
Innastate continues to work hard playing nearly a hundred shows per year and creating new music. “We believe it’s important that our Native voices be heard, we strive to create the best music and live shows that we can, so we can be good a representation for our Indigenous peoples”, Adrian Wall says. Look for for new music and a music video in 2020
Innastate has shared the stage with reggae greats The Wailers, Native Roots, The Green, Jessie Royal, Tribal Seeds, Pato Banton, Nahko, Natural Vibrations, Stick Figure, Through the Roots, The Meditations, New Kingston, Ballyhoo and Abstract Rude and Black Uhuru.