Inner Islands
09-30-2011
Music, Interview
Sounds
- Inner Islands
Writing by Steve Head
Photos & Art by Inner Islands - Inner Islands is an experimental label out of Utah that fosters music that unfurls andfloats before the listener, evoking inner journeys, rather than commanding direct popnarratives. Their artist roster includes Stag Hare, Wyld Wyzrdz, Gkfoes Vjgoaf, and the
collaborative effort River Spirit Dragon. Each project carries a different calming ambiance,
but field recordings and pastoral loops are a keystone for the label. Braden Mckenna is the
founder of Inner Islands and we were fortunate enough to speak to him about his
experience growing up in Utah, the power of drone music, and what lies ahead for the
Inner Islands label. 
- Stag Hare - Lavender Ravens Tears
- What music were you exposed to growing up in Utah?
I was born in Utah, but my family moved around a lot while I was growing up. I spent
most of my childhood in Washington, with some short stints in Massachusetts and Alaska,
while the majority of my teenage years were in Utah.
My parents have never really listened to much music so I wasn’t being exposed to a lot of
records in the home. My first real encounters with music were at church. I was raised
Mormon and grew up going to church every Sunday. We would sing religious hymns as
a congregation, then during the children’s Sunday school classes we would sings songs as
well. So I guess my first real memories of music would be Mormon hymns.
I got a cassette player in first or second grade and had a Michael Jackson mix tape. I have
memory of listening to "Billie Jean" in my family’s living room. The first album I ever
purchased was Boys II Men II. As a kid, I was basically just listening to whatever was on
the radio.
It wasn’t until junior high that that I started seeking out music. I was living in Utah by
then. I started listening to punk rock a lot and eventually came across Operation Ivy. I
became super obsessed with that band. I got my first guitar in ninth grade and learned to
play it by listening to Operation Ivy songs. Soon after, I started a punk band with two of
my friends, and have been making music ever since.
The internet led me to your music, but what factors led to such a strong scene in
Salt Lake? As an outsider, one would assume that a more conservative city, such
as Salt Lake, wouldn’t foster a thriving, eclectic music community.
I wouldn’t really give Salt Lake credit for fostering an eclectic music scene. It’s a super
small city and the established music scene is more focused on straight forward bar rock,
indie rock, and alternative country. However, there are various small groups of people
doing their own thing on the fringes.
I’m pretty lucky to have the group of friends that I have. We all kind of found each other
in our teenage years and early adulthood. The majority of us originate from Davis County;
it's comprised of several suburbs north of Salt Lake. I think living in a climate with
oppressive political and religious vibes can influence an artist or musician to create work
that is emotionally or spiritually free and liberating. Although, I wouldn’t give the political
and religious landscape full credit for the type of art my friends and I focus on.
Utah is a magical land. Where I live used to be under water. There was this prehistoric
lake over 1,000 feet deep, called Lake Bonneville, which existed until 14,5000 years ago.
The Salt Lake is a remnant of that ancient body of water. So living in this valley is like
being in the ghost of an ancient life force. There is so much to explore - from the
mountains, canyons, salt flats, crazy desert zones,and magic spots like Antelope Island
and the Spiral Jetty. A lot of energy and inspiration can be drawn from these places.
Really, the scene we have going on exists because of a wonderful group of friends. We all
love and support each other. I feel really fortunate to be surrounded by a handful of
beautiful people making art that I really resonate with. There is also something really
romantic about creating art in a small desert city that’s generally overlooked for its artistic
value. Just recently we had a record release party for Stag Hare’s new album Spirit
Canoes. The whole thing was set up deep in the backyard of this old haunted art space.
You had to go through a hole in a chain link fence to get to the event. We adorned the
zone is multi-colored lights and set up tons of gear and amps and had a really special
evening. Everyone that came was really getting in the zone. Some people were doing yoga
or dancing, while others just chilled. It was good to see people having a nice evening
and feeling that sense of community. Despite being a small city, Salt Lake has some really
special things going on, and the audience for our brand of hippy, chiller, and tripper art
seems to be growing recently. 
Stag Hare performing at the Spirit Canoes release show- Your output has always been extremely varied in nature, running thegamut from twee to an album consisting of odes to different Miyazaki films,but your new material is largely ethereal. Was there an experience that triggeredthis sea change in your output?
I have a pretty schizophrenic and large back catalogue. Even with a single project like
Navigator
the music ranged from sparse folk music to super lo-fi, hook driven rock. But yeah, there
was an experience, or experiences that lead to focusing on the type of music I’ve been
working on lately.
As I said before, I was raised Mormon. For a long time the Mormon world was my reality.
It’s pretty intense being raised in a religion like that. There’s definitely a level of
brainwashing that’s going on, starting from an early age. As I was growing up Mormonism
was very real to me. I began to question it from time to time, starting in my teenage
years; but for, various reasons, I was trying to make that world work for me. In November
2009, I finally decided to leave Mormonism, and things began changing pretty quickly for
me. I soon developed an interest in psychedelics, mainly psilocybin mushrooms. My first
experiences with eating mushrooms were on Antelope Island. During my second trip on
the island, I had a very opening, visionary experience. It shattered my old reality and
pushed me towards the path I’m exploring today. The psychedelic experience was so new
and freeing from the reality I had been raised in that I essentially became a new human. I
continued to explore psychedelics pretty regularly for about a year, but have recently
cooled down on that and am focusing more on mediation and dreaming these days.
With these changes I don’t find pop songs to be the best avenue to share the experiences
and feelings I am having. I don’t really know how to translate my current thoughts into lyrics.
I find that drone based music, with emphasis on melodic loops and rhythm, is the most
direct way to share my experience with others. For me, the music is very expansive; the
sounds help me explore my inner world and get real with what matters to me. Despite my
music with WYLD WYZRDZ having a gentler feel to it, I view what I’m doing as a form of
protest music. Protesting the reality humans have accepted at the hands of oppressors.
We live in a world where people do pretty fucked up things to each other on a regular
basis. Governments, religions, and the powers that be oppress people to the point that
individuals lose all sense of self-worth. I make art with the intent to dissolve that system.
I feel that everyone, no matter what system or reality they were born into, has the right
to reject what they have been given. Everyone has the right to pursue their own dreams
and recognize their own beauty. We can all wake up to new ways of living.
I first crossed paths with you when you were doing Magic Goat Music. What led
to the formation of Inner Islands?
Magic Goat started when I was eighteen. Initially just putting out CD-R's with hand drawn
packaging, then slowly evolving into a digital label. There wasn’t really a lot of focus or
direction with Magic Goat. It simply existed as an outlet for the music my friends and I
were making.
As my motivations for creating art became clearer to me, it felt like a good time to let go
of Magic Goat and start something more reflective of my current creative process. The
name Inner Islands is in reference to Antelope Island and the experiences myself and
others close to me have shared on the island. Inner Islands has been very focused for me,
each release slowly evolving the island into something beyond my initial vision.
Can you tell us about Inner Islands roster and what releases are on the horizon?
Well, basically there are just three of us releasing music on Inner Islands so far, Stag
Hare, Sean Conrad and myself. I’ve collaborated with Trish Alba on From a Stone and
Sean collaborated with Rosa Beach Mason on Nearone. Andrew Alba is also apart of the
Island family and has done artwork for several releases.
I’m mainly interested in working with artists that I have personal relationships with. I’m
not much of a business man, and don’t really want to feel like I’m running a label and
scouting out artists just for the sake of getting the hot new band or something like that. I
want everything to be organic and grow naturally. I feel very close to all the artists
involved with Inner Islands and want to keep it that way. With that said, I’m totally open
to making new friends and expanding the Inner Islands family. When the time is right it
will happen.
As far as albums on the horizon, WYLD WYZRDZ and gkfoes vjgoaf both have their final
releases coming out on Inner Islands later this year. Sean has a new project called Ashan
and is working on a LP right now. I also have a new project, called Coyote Dreamer. The
first album is finished, but I’m not sure on the time frame for the release. 
- WYLD WYZRDZ- Antelope
- Your website says that Inner Islands rests under the protective spell of Antelope
Island? Could you expand on its impact on you and your contemporaries?
Antelope Island is a very special place to my friends and I. I can see the island from my
house; it’s always there. I find it to be a refuge from the Mormon world that dominates the
socio-political landscape of the region. When you get on the northwest side of the island
that reality completely vanishes. You are no longer staring at Wal-Marts and churches, but
instead have been transported to a magic, alien land. It feels as if you are on an island in
the ocean. There are so many weird bugs and plants on the island, as well as tons of
wildlife. Buffalo, antelope and coyote can often be seen while adventuring the island. It’s a
total oasis and safe haven for me.
Aside from its natural beauty, I’ve also had a handful of very special meditative and
psychedelic experiences on that island. There is something very magical and protective
about that space that makes it a great spot for self-exploration. Some of the experiences
and insights I’ve had on that island have been life changing.
You’ve recently returned to Utah, but you and Inner Island cohort Stag Hare
were both living in Portland for a while. What determined these moves and what
have you learned from each community?
I don’t really feel like I’m in a position to speak for Stag Hare’s reasoning behind moving
from one place to another. However, I initially moved to Portland because I needed a
break from my old world that I was facing in Utah. I had gone through a lot of personal
changes at the time and just needed a new space to live. I had also spent a lot of time in
the northwest as a kid and it felt natural to go up there.
I only ended up staying in Portland for a year. I lived a simple life while I was there. I
started Inner Islands, recorded a few albums and was working as a nanny.
I ended up moving back to Utah because I missed my crew. I have such a wonderful
group of friends in Salt Lake that are family to me. I really benefit from their love and
support and want to be spending time with them right now.
Having lived in Portland for a bit, I enjoy Utah now more than ever. I’ve recently realized
that I find motivation and satisfaction by living and working on art in a space as culturally
sparse as Utah. It’s satisfying in a way, to be a weirdo in a conservative zone. Not to say
there aren’t challenges that come with living in the heart of the Mormon kingdom, but it
feels good to be pushing the hippy freedom vibes in the face of the oppressor.
WYLD WYZRDZ is now a defunct project? What are you working on next?
Yeah, the wizards have been set free. My new project is called Coyote Dreamer. It is
utilizing a lot of techniques I explored in WYLD WYZRDZ, but the energy feels pretty
different tome. WYZRDZ often portrayed the more glamorous side of my experiences with
mystery. I feel Coyote Dreamer is truer to my total reality. It’s gentle, yet powerful;
blissful, yet aware of human pain and sadness. The first album is done and titled The Path
We Make. I’m very excited for people to hear it.
Aside from Coyote Dreamer, I’ve started working on some singer-songwriter stuff again.
I’m planning on getting a band together and eventually recording a new album of songs.
But that probably wont happen any time soon.
What would you like to see in the future for Inner Islands?
The main thing I’d like to see with Inner Islands is sustainability. We are a new label and
have made some pretty crazy investments with all the LPs that have been released so far.
I still feel like we are in the early phases of finding our audience.
I’d also like to work with some new artists and organically expand the vibes on the island.
I feel really lucky to be working with Sean Conrad (gkfoes vjgoaf, Nearon, Ashan) and
Stag Hare. The music they make is very close to my heart. I’m looking forward to the time
when I’m working with new artists that effect me in a similar way.
Just a few shout outs before I peace out. My dear friends Seven Feathers Rainwater
dropped their debut LP earlier this year. It’s titled Fifteen Apple Magicians and is available
through Moon Dial Records. The album hits the spot every time I give it a spin, totally
killer stuff. Also, Andrew Alba’s artist consistently taking me away. You can check it at
Andrewalba.com.
Much love and peace! 
Witch with the Hair of River Wind - Braden Mckenna- If you have enjoyed what you've heard here and would like to support some wonderful
humans doing wonderful things, then swing over to the inner islands bandcamp for more
tunes. Be sure to check out the new WYLD WYZRDZ release From a Stone.
Braden was also kind enough to make us a mix of often overlooked, later era
Beach Boys tracks. If you want to delve deeper into some indirect inspiration for the
inner islands crew you can grab that here. 
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