Brulé (band) facts for kids

Brulé & AIRO is a popular music group from South Dakota. They play a mix of Native American music, rock, and pop. This style is often called "new-age" or "worldbeat" music. The group has sold over one million CDs around the world.

They have won many awards for their music. You might have seen them on TV shows like Live with Regis and Kathie Lee or CNN WorldBeat. Brulé & AIRO perform over 100 shows each year. Their concerts often include traditional dancers and special lighting. They also have an annual holiday tour.

The Story of Brulé

Paul LaRoche's Journey

Paul LaRoche grew up in Worthington, Minnesota. He was adopted at birth by a white middle-class family. Paul always knew he was adopted. However, his true Native American heritage was a secret for many years.

After his adoptive parents passed away, Paul felt a bit lost. His wife, Kathy, found his adoption papers. She started searching for his birth family. In 1993, Paul found his biological Lakota family. It was a very happy reunion. He met his brother, sister, aunts, uncles, and many other relatives.

This discovery changed Paul's life. The love and support from his new family inspired his music. Paul decided to combine traditional Native American sounds with rock, pop, and jazz. This led to the creation of the band Brulé.

Starting with SOAR Records

In 1995, Paul signed a deal with Sound of America Records (SOAR). He quickly created Brulé's first CDs. These included We the People, Lakota Piano, and One Nation. He also worked on One Holy Night with Robby Bee.

After this, Paul and his family moved to the Lower Brule Reservation. This is where they still live today. Paul planned to start performing solo. But his daughter, Nicole, offered to join him. She played the flute, and Brulé became a duo.

They started by performing at art shows. Slowly, they gained fans and became more well-known. Nicole developed her own unique flute style. Soon, guitar and traditional drums were added to the band. In 1999, Paul received his first award. He won the "Outstanding Musical Achievement Award" for One Nation.

Nicole's Special Projects

In 2001, Paul started Buffalo Moon Productions. He wanted to highlight Nicole's flute playing. Her first featured CD, Passion Spirit, came out that year. In 2002, Brulé released Star People. The song "Star People" became a fan favorite. It is a fast-paced, ten-minute song that ends every Brulé concert.

That same year, Brulé won their first Native American Music Awards (NAMA). Star People was named Best Instrumental CD. Brulé also won Native American Group of the Year. By the end of 2002, Paul's son, Shane, joined the band on guitar.

By 2003, Brulé was performing over 70 shows a year. These were full stage productions with lights, videos, and Native American dancers. Nicole also released her second CD, Night Tree. It won a NAMA award for Best Instrumental CD in 2003.

The AIRO Expansion

As the group grew, Paul created AIRO (American Indian Rock Opera). This was an extension of the Brulé name. AIRO gave the other band members and dancers their own identity. It also allowed Paul to record music with the full band.

In 2005, Tatanka became AIRO's first album. It had an upbeat rock sound and quickly became popular. Soon after, Tribal Rhythm was released. This album had a softer sound. It featured Shane playing the classical nylon string guitar.

In 2006, AIRO won its first NAMA for Group of the Year for Tatanka. Brulé also won Best Compilation album for The Collection. Later that year, the group released Silent Star Night. This was a new holiday album. It built on the success of their earlier holiday music. Silent Star Night was featured in their biggest holiday tour yet. The tour covered nine cities and included new videos, dancers, and lighting.

Looking to the Future

The year 2007 was very important for the group. Paul released his last CD for SOAR, called Kinship. He also achieved a lifelong dream for Brulé & AIRO. On July 13 and 14, 2007, they performed the "Brulé & AIRO Concerts for Reconciliation of the Cultures at Mount Rushmore".

These concerts took place at the Mount Rushmore Amphitheater. Record crowds of over 5,000 people attended each night. The concerts featured the band's full stage show and special guests. Paul shared his message of peace and hope between cultures. The concerts were filmed for public television.

In October 2007, Brulé & AIRO were nominated for five NAMA awards. They won two: Group of the Year for Silent Star Night and Best New Age Recording for Kinship. In November 2007, Nicole released her third CD, Deep Dreams. This added a new sound to the Brulé & AIRO collection. The Mount Rushmore concerts were later broadcast on public television. A DVD and live audio CD of the concert were also released.

Music Albums

Studio Albums

Other Releases

Band Members

Current Members

• Paul LaRoche: Plays piano, electronic keyboards, and sings. He also writes and produces the band's music. (Since 1995)
• Nicole LaRoche: Plays the classical flute. She uses a steel flute, not a traditional wood flute. (Since 1995)
• Shane LaRoche: Plays lead guitar. He uses acoustic, nylon string, and electric guitars. (Since 2002)
• Vlasis Pergakis: Plays traditional drum, electric, and acoustic guitar. (Since 2011)

Past Members

• Moses Brings Plenty: Played traditional drum and sang. (2006–2010)
• Clay Brian: Played traditional drum. (2007–2009)
• Kristé Belt: Was a vocalist. (2006–2008)
• Kurt Olsen: Played drum kit for larger shows. (2007–2011)
• John LoneEagle: Played traditional drum and sang. (2001–2006)

Nicole and Shane are official members of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.

Dance Troupe

These dancers perform with Brulé & AIRO throughout the year. They represent several different tribes.

• Thirza Defoe: Performs Hoop dance, fancy shawl dance, Eagle dance.
• Petur Redbird: Performs Men's Traditional dance.
• Lewis St. Cyr: Performs Chicken dance, grass dance, men's fancy feather dance, hoop dance.
• Lowery Begay: Performs Hoop dance, men's fancy feather dance.
• Therese St. Cyr: Performs Jingle dress dance, women's traditional dance.
• Garan Coons: Performs Chicken dance, men's fancy feather dance.
• Gentry St. Cyr: Performs Chicken dance, grass dance, men's fancy feather dance.
• Linda Thompson: Performs Women's traditional dance (Paul's cousin).
• Rene Avila: Performs Men's Aztec dance.
• Jade Summers: Performs Jingle dress dance (Nicole's Daughter).
• Emily Sinclair: Performs Jingle dress dance (Linda's granddaughter).

Awards and Nominations

First American's in the Arts Awards

• Won: Best Outstanding Performance (1999) for One Nation

Native American Music Awards (NAMA)

• Nominated: Songwriter of the Year (2000) for Paul LaRoche & Robby Bee One Nation
• Nominated: Duo or Group of the Year (2000) for Brulé One Nation
• Nominated: Best Pop/Rock Recording (2000) for Brulé One Nation
• Nominated: Flutist of the Year (2001) for Nicole Passion Spirit
• Won: Group of the Year (2002) for Brulé Star People
• Won: Best Instrumental CD (2002) for Brulé Star People
• Nominated: Record of the Year (2002) for Brulé Star People
• Nominated: Songwriter of the Year (2002) for Paul LaRoche Star People
• Nominated: Best Female Artist (2003) for Nicole Night Tree
• Won: Best Instrumental CD (2003) for Nicole Night Tree
• Nominated: Best Producer (2003) for Paul LaRoche Night Tree
• Nominated: Record of the Year (2003) for Nicole Night Tree
• Nominated: Best Instrumental CD (2006) for Brulé The Collection
• Won: Best Compilation CD (2006) for Brulé The Collection
• Nominated: Song of the Year (2006) for Brulé Stomp Dance from The Collection
• Nominated: Best Instrumental CD (2006) for AIRO Tatanka
• Won: Duo or Group of the Year (2006) for AIRO Tatanka
• Nominated: Artist of the Year (2007) for Paul LaRoche Kinship
• Won: Duo or Group of the Year (2007) for Brulé & AIRO Silent Star Night
• Nominated: Best Instrumental CD (2007) for Brulé & AIRO Silent Star Night
• Won: Best New Age CD (2007) for Brulé Kinship
• Nominated: Record of the Year (2007) for Brulé & AIRO Silent Star Night

Aboriginal People's Choice Awards

• Nominated: Best Instrumental CD (2007) for Brulé & AIRO Silent Star Night