Kiowa and Apache author, filmmaker, and music producer That Native Thomas is pushing past the boundaries of the traditional book release with Native Love: An X-Indian Chronicle, a new novel paired with a full soundtrack designed to follow the story chapter by chapter.
“Set in the gritty, myth-infused world of NDN City, Native Love weaves together intersecting love stories that blur the lines between realism and Native American mythology. Once a brave stealing police cars and now a modern-day warrior stealing hearts, Brando finds himself caught in a love triangle with Two-Rivers and Morning-Dew. In a parallel sacred circle, mythical beings Grandpa Snake and Grandma Spider attempt to rekindle their ancient love while pursuing the dangerous forces of Brother Buffalo and Deer Lady.”
With Native Love: An X-Indian Chronicle, That Native Thomas puts Native love at the center of the story and lets it carry all the tension, humor, vulnerability, and heart that come with it. They are given room to want, to hurt, to flirt, to heal, and to wrestle with the forces around them, both seen and unseen.
In a literary landscape where Indigenous characters are still too often written without much depth, Native Love heads in another direction. It embraces complexity, desire, spirituality, and imagination, reminding readers that Native stories are not rooted in trauma and survival alone.
What makes Native Love stand out is how deeply the music is woven into the novel and the reading experience, with one original song for each chapter. Readers can move through the book with the music beside them, or listen to the soundtrack on its own as a separate work. Either way, the songs extend the story’s mood and emotional pull beyond the page.
Produced by Thomas, the soundtrack also draws from Native State of Mind, a sample pack created by PJ Vegas and Tippie that brings together traditional Native instruments and chants from all four corners of Turtle Island. The album features contributions from PJ Vegas, Tippie, Miracle Spotted Bear, Lisa Muswagon, Spur Pourier, Nelson Baker, and Artson. It’s sound shifts across powwow drums, tribal vocals, hip-hop, R&B, guitar solos, opera, and cinematic score elements, creating a listening experience what Thomas calls “just plain ole good medicine.”
With Native Love: An X-Indian Chronicle, Thomas adds something distinct to the growing field of Indigenous literature by approaching the novel as both a written and sonic work. It’s the willingness and courage to experiment with form while staying grounded in story, character, and audience. That combination gives Native Love room to stand on its own and stand out.
The novel is available on Amazon and the soundtrack is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other major platforms.
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