Native Strange is a Tulsa-based band focused on live performance and true expression. Operating as DIY as can be, they are carving a groove for the sound they produce and do their best to engage with fans and building a community around them to where everyone feels safe and wants to come back and bring a friend to the next show. With all the members working full time jobs, the project is a true passion project filled with drive, motivation and hope.
How did you get started?
The singer, Blake McBride, started out making music for himself until one day his sister invited him to an open mic night that she had been frequenting. At which point his brother Boone was introduced to the project as the guitar player and as they played more open mics, more people joined the band as rotating players. After some years and life changes, the line up of the band changed to the now solidified members with him; Jorge Sepulveda, Nathan Wilson, Chris Reynolds, Christian Curtis and Brenden Curtis. Each member also provides other duties as well, we believe in the DIY culture as much as we can and live by it from directing and filming our own videos to recording our own music.
Did you always want a career in the music industry?
Everyone in the band has had a healthy realization that making a full on living in the music industry is extremely difficult and has a fair amount of sheer luck involved. Although we all have had ideas and goals of being able to play big stages to huge engaged audiences our entire lives we have had to maintain full time day jobs; all the money we have made through music goes directly back into the band in some way. We keep the mentality that by playing the music for the love of the craft and the sound, focus on performing as well as we could each and every time we hit the stage, that we would be fine and we will ride the train as long as we can.
What is your role in the music industry?
I, Jorge Sepulveda; am a performer and manager of the band. Chris Reynolds is an audio engineer at Brady St. Studios where the band practices and records. And by DIY nature, every member is a promoter for the local music scene as much as our own shows.
Most Recent Successes / Placements / Accomplishments / Projects? Career highlight?
Our most recent success I would say stretches back to the start of the 2023 year. We as a band decided we wanted to simply play a show a month in town so we can cut our teeth more as a band and build live chemistry playing together. In that time we have been able to play two separate Bank of Oklahoma sponsored events, won a battle of the bands style competition to perform at Backwoods festival in 2024 and are about to finish up recording our first debut album.
What is your favorite Oklahoma music venue, music store, or recording studio?
Cains is by far each members favorite venue. The band is split down the middle between liking either Guitar House of Tulsa and The Music Store as their favorite store; the only thing we do agree on that is supporting local is the best way to go. When it comes to studios, we are partial to liking Brady Street for being the home of so many memories. The Church Studio is our bands next goal recording destination though.
Networking and connecting with others who share your dream or vision is a vital aspect to the music industry. Can you share which Oklahoma organizations (if any) have contributed to your success and are there Oklahoma organization you would recommend other connect with? To help further their craft or promotion?
The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC) has been a huge help in our trajectory! If it wasn’t for the help of the organization, we never would have had the opportunity to play the Bank of Oklahoma events that helped get some momentum for us that just hasn’t seemed to stop! So THANK YOU for that.
How can we follow you? Best place to purchase and listen to your music (if applicable)?
We are on all streaming services! We’re trying to be a little more active on social media but we do have @nativestrangemusic on Instagram and @nativestrangemusix on TikTok. Our Facebook link is facebook.com/officialnativestrange.
Advice for anyone interested in working in the music industry?
DON’T GIVE UP. Find out where you fit in and help build the scene. Try and stay happy and don’t let other people’s successes get to you in a negative way. There’s enough for everybody. Play shows and meet people! Promote those shows like there’s no tomorrow!
What are some of the benefits of having a music career in Oklahoma?
The cost of living is nice since we’re still a small local band having to pay for absolutely everything ourselves and not making much, especially with six members we know we’ve got to really grind for what we’re getting. The big city feel of living in Tulsa while still being able to know just about everyone because the town is actually small is also a nice thing. Everyone is humble and friendly and filled with some of the most talented musicians there can be.
Favorite Quote (if applicable)?
“Satisfaction is the death of desire.” “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Each featured individual or business is given the provided questions to answer in their own voice. Other than formatting and grammar, the answers are personal to each featured voice, and are not provided by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office.
