Album Notes

MEET THE DIVA is the award-winning debut CD from Arigon Starr, a member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. Her three-minute pop songs provide a window into the world of contemporary Native America. With her powerful voice, clever songwriting and production talent, she is shattering stereotypes about American Indian people -- and what their music "should" sound like!

She began her professional career singing in coffeehouses in Los Angeles, while educating and surrounding herself about her Native American heritage. In 1996, Arigon left her corporate job, formed a band and began working on her music career full-time. After many hours of pre-production, she assembled the players at Universal Sound Studios in San Diego, CA to record the 13 tracks which comprise MEET THE DIVA.

The album was released to fans in 1997 and nationally released in 1998. Native American radio around the United States welcomed her fresh sounds and continues to play tracks from DIVA to this day. She also found a musical home on a few college and smaller market stations around the U.S. The national Native American media also noticed her unique music and helped make Arigon Starr a household name in Indian Country.

Her music was also embraced by her peers -- including Native artists like Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Trudell, Jim Boyd and Joanne Shenandoah. Tribal leaders such as the Principle Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chad Smith and Navajo Tribal President Kelsey Begaye championed Arigon's music. Even "Hollywood" Indians like actors Wes Studi, Steve Reeves, Floyd Westerman, Evan Adams and Irene Bedard are Arigon Starr fans. Her music is also admired in the Native American literary community by such authors as Sherman Alexie, Robert Conley, Vine Deloria, Jr. and Leslie Marmon Silko.

After the release of MEET THE DIVA, Arigon and her group took their music on the road. They have performed at such venues as the American Indian Community House in New York City; The West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, England; the BBC World Service Radio Program from Bush House in London; the Native American Music Festival at Dine College in Tsaile, Arizona; The Milwaukee Indian Summer Festival; Haskell Indian Nations College in Lawrence, Kansas; the 30th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz in San Francisco; and the University of Washington in Seattle.

As the Native community continued to recognize Arigon's music, others in the entertainment business also took notice. She has been included in the best-selling book "Of Earth And Elders: Visions And Voices From Native America," which was written, edited and compiled by British author Serle Chapman. Arigon's music was also included in the independent feature film, "Naturally Native," which premiered at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. She is also the recipient of two ASCAP songwriter grants.

The most prestigious recognition came from the Native American Music Association. MEET THE DIVA was nominated in four categories at the Second Annual Native American Music Awards. Ultimately, the CD was named the Best Independent Recording -- and the band performed at the awards ceremony alongside such artists as Hank Williams III, The Lynns, Bill Miller and Jennifer Warnes.

Arigon enjoys performing and hopes that her music brings a fresh perspective to the Native American experience. She is based in Los Angeles, California and continues to write, record and tour around the world.