Mato Nanji
If you’ve been waiting for some blues rock for the Levitt AMP Concert series, this weekend Indigenous is here to entertain Carson City.
Mato Nanji, who comes from South Dakota, fronts the band and he is known for his guitar style that is influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana.
“I grew up listening to Jimi Hendrix and a lot of the old blues guys and got a lot of influence from that,” Nanji said. “I think that’s kind of what we try to do.”
Nanji comes with an impressive resume when it comes to the other musicians he’s shared the stage with. He said one of the biggest accomplishments of his career was right in the beginning around 1999, Indigenous was asked to open for B.B. King.
“That’s when our first record came out and that was one of the highlights,” he said. “We did about 60 shows across the country opening for him, and then all the other folks we got to play with and hang out with has been great.”
He’s also shared the stage with Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and many more.
When Indigenous started, it was Nanji and three siblings — two brothers and a sister. Nanji was a teenager when the band started, and now he’s 49. He said they toured together for about 10 years and then went their own ways.
Nanji wanted to keep the band going since he wrote most of the songs, he said. So he kept the band name and found some replacements.
The band’s lineup now includes Bronson Begay on bass. Nanji said he’s been playing with him for a while and he’s out of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Kurt Olson is on drums. He’s from Omaha, Nebraska, and he’s been playing with Nanji for a while.
“They’re just great players and great musicians,” Nanji said. “They all have a good feel, so that’s what I like. It’s a good vibe they bring to the band.”
A new addition this past year for guitar is Nanji’s son, Evan.
“It’s been pretty awesome to have him on and playing with us,” Nanji said.
Evan is 23 and this is the first band he’s been in. Nanji said it was an easy decision making him part of the band.
“I think it brings a lot — a new feel and a new vibe to the whole thing,” Nanji said.
Nanji said this is the first time he’ll be playing in Carson City, and he’s excited for the event. He said he’s looking forward to the all-ages event outdoors, and he just played a similar event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
“I like those events, they’re cool,” he said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Indigenous with opening act Jason King Band at Brewery Art Center’s Levitt AMP Concert Series
WHERE: 449 W. King St. at the Brewery Arts Center
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 22
MORE INFO: breweryarts.org; indigenousrocks.com