Meet Casper Lomayesva

Today we’d like to introduce you to Casper Lomayesva.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born in Winslow, AZ. in the mid 60’s to a Hopi native father and a Navajo native mother and was fortunate enough to learn both cultures and the ways we did things. My youth was spent growing up in Northern Arizona until my teens where I stayed a little while in Tucson.

Reggae music has always been a part of my life, even before I knew this would eventually be my calling. The story begins at around age 10 in the village of Kykotsmovi, in Northeastern Arizona where a live reggae concert was happening. The community building was alive with the heavy reggae drum and bass and the music resonated throughout Hopiland, which is usually a place of peace and quiet.

Due in part to an organization of friends who made the initial contact with these world famous Jamaican musicians in the early 80’s, a cultural connection had been born with the best reggae in the world performing in a place that was miles from your typical landmark town. I was in the right place and time and knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to make music and become a performing artist.

In 1997 I created a record label called Third Mesa Music, where we released our first cd, “Original Landlord” focused mainly towards native country and the poorest reservations within the United States. In 2000 we released the follow up from the newly developed record label, “Sounds of Reality” which, featured some of my heroes within this small world of music. We also won the best world music recording of the year at the Native American Music Awards for a song we recorded with the late great John Trudell, “No Indian”. Since that time, we have released 4 more cd’s from the same independent record label, as well as being featured on other artists projects, worldwide.

The success of the music has also cause us to take long, repeated trips throughout the US and abroad performing our music for the massive. The many years in the music business have also introduced us to countless national artists and regular everyday people who share the same vision of peace and unity within our ever-expanding circles.

I took a little time off to finish up what I started in 2012 with my educational endeavors, graduating in May 2018 from Arizona State University with a degree in Urban Planning and a minor in Sustainability. With that out of the way, the goal is to get going on our 7th recording project and picking up where we left off in regards to touring again.

Please tell us about your art.
As a recording artist, and overwhelming success of the many musical projects over the last 25 years. the message and inspiration come from the continued survival of people. I believe each one of us has a purpose and the journey to find that purpose belongs to each individual, the music has a blend of conscious, traditional rhythms with a reggae flare and has always been a way for me to communicate the struggles and accomplishments with others”.

The Beat magazine describes it as, “somewhat reminiscent of Pablo Moses” (One of the legends in reggae music). and The New York Times who featured our music in a front-page article, cited the music and lyrics as transcending cultural and musical boundaries. Pretty cool, I say!

The artwork on the cd’s are all done by local native artists who take ideas from my thoughts and create beautiful artwork that completes the musical presentation every time. Each cd is a mini canvas from the artist who created that particular piece. The intent is to bring word, sound and power to each pair of ears and eyes. The artwork should grab you and speak to you before you even listen to the actual cd. There is meaning in this artwork and again, it’s up to the individual who purchased this cd to decipher.

The latest cd “ELEMENTAL” has been released on our THIRD MESA MUSIC, record label and is currently being played on radio stations throughout the world and continues to go beyond the traditional musical boundaries. it’s time to bring this unique reggae sound back to the people once again.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
To me, success is the satisfaction you bring to yourself! I make music to feed my spirit and if anyone can relate to my words and the music we make, then a double dose of niceness is always welcomed. I believe that it’s essential for an artist to be responsible for the art they bring first to themselves, then family, then those who follow his or her endeavor. To have a quality that attracts not just people, but the spirit is a blessing so those with that gift should share it with passion and love.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The working Band that I perform with is known as The Mighty 602 Band and we play out locally, from time to time. Currently we are regrouping due to my educational endeavors coming to an end and we will be back on the scene with new music and energy very soon.

Check our website at www.thirdmesamusic.com for upcoming live performances and also if you would like to purchase the songs from the latest project or from the previous works.

Watch the ride!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.caspermighty602band.com
• Phone: 480 452 4255
• Email: Casper3rdmesa@cox.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lomayesva
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/casper.lomayesva
• Twitter: twitter.com/LomaDaWa

Image Credit:
Redworks photography, 4x Studio LLC, Iron Lion Photography, Native Music Rocks Records, J.Morgan Edwards Photography.

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