Hidden Lake Recordings
Steven Arrowtopknot
I’m dedicated to preserving and sharing our Native American cultural heritage by creating high-quality recordings of traditional social and ceremonial songs. I also provide live sound for celebrations, cultural events, and other gatherings—always focusing on authenticity and respect. For me, it’s not just about exceptional audio; it’s about making sure these vital traditions stay alive and resonate for our communities now and for generations to come.
Singing Life
Steven Arrowtopknot is a Native American drum maker, song composer, music producer, and performer from the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana, and the Cree Nation in Sweetgrass, Saskatchewan. Growing up in diverse cultural environments shaped his artistic perspective and fueled his lifelong commitment to creating, producing, and sharing Native music with the world.He’s been singing for most of his life, performing with championship groups at powwows, round dances, and on countless albums. Steven has composed songs for groups like Young Spirit and Bros Round Dance, and over 20 years of hands-on experimentation, he taught himself the art of drum making—working with different materials, techniques, and coloring methods until he found a process that resonates in both sound and spirit. His powwow and hand drums have been part of many championship contest wins across Native America, including the Gathering of Nations, and can be heard on a wide range of recordings.
Hidden Lake Recordings
In the early 2010s, Steven founded Hidden Lake Recordings, where he handles all mixing, mastering, and most of the artwork. Hidden Lake is devoted to helping Native artists maintain full creative control and ownership of their music. By offering top-quality recording services and guidance on publishing, royalties, and self-empowerment in the music industry, he’s reshaping how Indigenous music is produced and shared. “I aim to improve my sound each year to truly capture what it feels like at our gatherings,” he says.Steven has worked on projects with celebrated groups such as Bear Creek, Northern Cree, Warscout, and Young Spirit, while also collaborating with up-and-coming groups like Blazing Bear, Iron Hill, and Warpaint, plus solo artists like Marlon Deschamps and Michaela Dennis (all available online). His efforts help earned a GRAMMY nomination in the Regional Roots category for songwriting and performance with Young Spirit, as well as honors like “Single of the Year” from the Indigenous Music Awards and the Native American Music Awards for “Beautiful Year.”
Life Work
Currently serving as a Governor in the Northwest Recording Academy in Seattle, Washington, Steven is actively taking steps to help reinstate A Native American category within the Recording Academy and is always pushing for fair representation and compensation for underrepresented artists across the industry. As A cultural coordinator, Steve helps organizes performances, ceremonies, and collaborations that share Indigenous stories with broader audiences—always with respect for the traditions and people they represent.His life’s work is rooted in respect, preservation, empowerment, and self-education, ensuring that Indigenous music remains in the hands of those who create it and that future generations of Native artists can thrive on their own terms.Feel free to contact me for more information or to get general help securing authentic cultural presentations from the people who make real Native music and crafts.
