Clan-Destine: Creating a Mainstream Cross-Over Sound

By Ruben Hernandez

Arizona-based band Clan-Destine shoots for the American mainstream market in its headliner concert “Clan-Destine and Friends,” Saturday, July 27 at Wild Horse Pass Casino and Hotel.

The band hopes to join other ethnic musicians that have successfully crossed over. These include Latino guitarist Santana, the Mexican American band Los Lobos and fellow Native American flautist Carlos Nakai.

“Our country is becoming more multicultural, and our blend of contemporary and traditional music reflects that change,” says Juan “Cano” Sanchez, one of Clan-Destine’s original founders. “We believe America is ready to welcome and embrace our unique brand of multicultural music.”

The band, made up of David A. Montour, Juan Cano Sanchez, Dez Tillman, Pete Mello, Arian Robinson, and Chad Cole, will display their new sound 8 p.m. at the Ovations Showroom at Wild Horse Pass Casino and Hotel, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. in Chandler.

 Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased at www.wingilariver.com, under Events/Entertainment.

  The concert special guests include Anthony Wakeman and Aaron White, and rockabilly band Free Ride in a Mason Jar.

 In essence, the July 27 concert is a showcase for music industry insiders. This band has defined the sound of Native American popular music for over a decade, mixing vocal chants, flutes and the drum of their Native American heritage with modern genres such as rock, pop, blues and reggae. Their genre-defying sound mixes beautiful vocal and native flute melodies, acoustic, and electric guitars, all which merge to create their original, contemporary music.

Clan-Destine creates original compositions filled with the energy and passion of today’s hot-edged grooves with the spirit of traditional ways.  Known internationally, with critics touting Clan-Destine’s exciting musical energy with comments such as “… stepping onstage to literally rock the house!”   This Phoenix-based group’s performances in clubs, concert venues, and festivals world-wide has garnered a reputation as being dynamically different, and delivering a rocking show unlike any other. 

 In Clan-Destine’s world, fans crowd the dance floor with a cultural blend of the modern and traditional, moving to the grooves of a rock beat inspired by the essence of traditional Native American dances.

They entered the recording industry in the late 90’s with the release of their first self- titled record Clan-Destine on the Canyon Records label. Clan-Destine performed for national dignitaries such as President Bill Clinton during the Democratic campaign and also for President George W. Bush’s Republican campaign.

 The band went “Indie” with the self-release of the Award winning record Deeply Rooted,recorded and produced at Saltmine Studios, it received the best pop/rock album at the Native American Music Awards in 2000.

While touring with the likes of Icon Willie Nelson, and sharing the stage with artists such as Billy Ray Cyrus, and Alabama, Clan-Destine put together and released a very traditional sounding recording titled, Amajacoustic which was voted on by The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences in the ballots for Grammy nominations. 

In 2001 Clan-Destine continued performing, headlining The Miller Light stage at the Milwaukee Wisconsin Indian Summer Festival, and the Matthew Street “Beatles Festival” in Liverpool, England. They headlined a concert series at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian Washington D.C., and The George Gustav Heye Center at The National Museum of the American Indian in New York. They have licensed their music for commercials, television, documentaries, public service messages and infomercials.

Despite band member and management changes, founding members David A. Montour and Juan “Cano” Sanchez have continued building the legacy of the group, recording two more albums Operation Peace and Special OP. Both albums’ proceeds benefit the Operation Peace Project, a non-profit organization helping youth and their families. Most recently, Clan-Destine band members have worked on the patriotic One More Warrior Initiative, which raises awareness and honors the sacrifices of all U.S. military veterans.

For more information about Clan-Destine, visit www.clan-destine.com.