MARLBORO — Marlboro College will present a free concert by the Native American rock group Scotti Clifford & Spirit Cries on Thursday, Jan. 31. The concert will take place in Marlboro's Whittemore Theater at 7 p.m., and is open to the public.
A family trio from the Badlands of South Dakota, Scotti Clifford & Spirit Cries is sonically rooted in blues and indie rock and inspired lyrically by their Oglala Lakota ancestry. The band consists of father Scotti Clifford, vocals/guitar/bass, daughter Wahpe Louella Clifford (16) on drums, and son Welby June Clifford (18) on guitar.
Scotti Clifford & Spirit Cries have recently toured the U.S., opening for the bands Dispatch and Nahko & Medicine for the People at Stubb's in Austin, Texas, and The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. They are soon to release an EP entitled Stars Fall, which they recorded at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle.
In a news release, singer-songwriter Scotti says touring from coast to coast symbolizes a traditional buffalo hunt for them: “In order to provide for my family, we must follow the music.”
As a modern day Lakota family who views movement as sacred, Scotti hopes to show his daughter and son how to find balance, both spiritually and professionally.