The celebration of literature and music, the Mission Creek Festival, is quickly approaching. Black Belt Eagle Scout is an emerging indie artist set to perform on Thursday evening. Following Michelle Zauner’s keynote book talk, and before Cat Power will close out the night, the Pacific Northwest-based artist will take the stage.
Katherine Paul is the multi-instrumentalist indie rock artist behind Black Belt Eagle Scout. Based in Portland, Oregon, the artist draws influence from post-rock, indie/alternative, and traditional Native American music of the Coast Salish. She grew up dancing and singing with her family band, her family belonging to the Swinomish Tribal Community.
Black Belt Eagle Scout’s third album, The Land, The Water, The Sky (2023) arrived in February of this year. The album channels the artist even more directly inspired by her heritage after a return visit to the indigenous community from which she hails. The album reflects her connection to the titular natural features as well as her family members and ancestors. Paul’s previous projects as Black Belt Eagle Scout include her debut Mother of My Children (2018) and her previous record At the Party With My Brown Friends (2019).
This is the artist’s first performance in Iowa City and the first musical act to kick off the weekend’s festival. The night’s events take place at Hancher Auditorium. Black Belt Eagle Scout’s performance will begin at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 6th. Full passes to the festival are available here as well as single day tickets.
