Talented Navajos branching into podcasts

There's nothing better than getting something for free and I'm a sucker for free swag whenever I get the chance to attend a conference or job fairs.

The best thing about having the Internet is finding free stuff to download - legally - like various applications for Smartphones, iPods and iPhones.

Recently through Facebook, I came across some free downloads provided by three talented individuals from the Navajo Reservation.

DJ Abel Roc, DJ 6-killer and Dylan McManus, aka DJ Johnny Utah, all offer free podcast downloads for people who have MP3 players.

Podcasts are digital media files, audio or video, that can be downloaded through Web syndication, meaning they are available on various Web sites.

"Podcast" is a term that derived from Apple's popular portable media player, the iPod. Before iPods the term used was "webcasts."

Podcast files are described in TV terms, with individual files called "episodes" and groups of them referred to as "series."

Despite the strong connection with iPod, podcasts can be downloaded onto just about any MP3 player.

DJs Abel Roc and 6-Killer both provide samples of their mixes through Podomatic (www.podomatic.com), an online podcasting community where people have uploaded a wide variety of podcasts. The mixes provided by the Navajo DJs take you right onto the club dance floor with their electrifying, energy pumping sound.

It's basically taking music from the popular Top 40, current and past, and meshing them into a nonstop energetic vibe.

DJ Abel Roc (real name Jason Alison) of Fort Defiance is probably the best known of the three. Besides being a rez favorite, he has performed at some of the continent's top clubs in places like Kansas City, Denver, Toronto and Phoenix, plus hip joints in smaller cities like Bozeman, Scottsdale, Tempe, Albuquerque, Durango, Farmington and Gallup, where he continues to perform at the weekly "Beatbox" hosted by the City Lights Lounge.

Abel prefers to mix some rock but is versatile with genres and styles, never settling with just one format. His eclectic mixes are all available on his podcast site, www.podomatic.com/profile/djabelrock.

Personally, his mixes continue to push my energy up a level, pumping out excitement and positive vibes. He's got downloads to suit any mood, with tracks ranging in length from 11 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes.

Downloads to suggest are "episode 23," a mixture of hip-hop and pop, definitely a must if you like workout music. Another is "episode 19," a live recording of his performance at the Lotus Nightclub in Albuquerque during the Gathering of Nations in April.

DJ 6-Killer (real name Mike Sixkiller), of Tuba City, is another Navajo talent whose work is available via podcast at www.podomatic.com/profile/dj6killer. His forte is an eclectic blend of '80s music, dance hits, club mixes and rock mixes from the '70s, '80s, '90s and current hits.

If you're looking for a nostalgic mix of music from the '80s and '90s, try downloading "Dance Club 2008" from his site, or "Club Mix 7/2009," which feature mash-ups and mixes from Top 40 hits of that era.

DJ Johnny Utah (real name Steven Thompson), of Fort Defiance, offers a very different type of podcast, more like an underground radio broadcast. It's called "Macca's Reservation Radio," and is arranged in episodes. One cautionary note: DJ Johnny Utah includes some music with explicit lyrics, as he warns people up front.

As he explains, it's NSFW, meaning "Not Safe for Work."

His radio-show episodes include popular as well as underground music. A personal favorite is the Michael Jackson tribute honoring the legendary singer who died of an accidental prescription drug overdose a year ago. It's the first episode on buyer.maccasrezradio.podomatic.com.

This is just a small sample of the podcasts being created and uploaded by talented people from the Navajo Nation. If you have suggestions, please feel free to send an e-mail to [email protected].

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