Oklahoma
Drekka brings experimentalism, scene history to Oklahoma
The table in front of Drekka at one of his performances can be covered in so many little electronic machines, cables, tape players, and seemingly random physical items that it’s difficult to even make everything out.
But the sounds that he cobbles together out of all that clutter can be even more mysterious and difficult to name, using heavily manipulated electronics, loops, cassette recordings, and ambient vocals to build a series of always shifting, nebulous sonic environments.
With more than two decades’ worth of releases – more than even the Indiana-based artist himself can count or recall – a Drekka performance can pull from hundreds of previously explored dark musical worlds, or incorporate unmapped territory for the first time on the fly.
It’s an experience that Oklahoman audiences will have a chance to catch next week when Drekka brings a three-night run through the state, August 28th at Bookish in OKC, August 29th at Opolis in Norman, both presented by Dissociation OK, and August 30th at Noise Town in Tulsa for the One Aux Experimental Music Showcase.
It’s all part of a larger multi-state trek that sees Drekka bringing his constantly shifting, darkly compelling atmospheres along on his second cross-country tour of the year.
“For a lot of people, that’s just too much,” he said. “But I’m the kind of person that if I’m going to be on the road for ten days, I’d rather just be on the road for forty days.”
Playing that many shows back to back in closely tied markets can be a minefield for a lot of artists trying to thread a needle between staying true to their set and keeping things fresh enough for repeat viewers and overlapping audiences.
But Drekka (whose real name is Michael “Mkl” Anderson) never sees that as an issue, allowing his sets to take on a mostly fresh and unique life every night.
“I’ve done upwards of a thousand Drekka shows, so I know my gear as well as, say, a guitarist knows their guitar,” Anderson told me by phone ahead of the new tour. “So I’ve definitely got little compositions and structures, but I generally just see what works for the night. And then ten minutes into playing, it’s just like whatever happens, happens.”
Every Drekka performance tends to be different – from minor tweaks between nights to major overhauls – all based on the venue, the crowd, and the energy coming off of the evening.
“I just try to listen,” Anderson said. “It becomes almost kind of a call and response thing.”
When he comes through Oklahoma, it’ll be particularly interesting for him to look and listen and soak up the state’s current scene.
Anderson lived in Norman for a time back in the late 90s and became a part of the deeply underground goth and experimental scene in the Metro at the time.
“There wasn’t a whole lot of ‘indie’ stuff,” he said. “Obviously, The Flaming Lips were super important, and their friends. I actually used to work with [now KOSU radio host] John Mooneyham at Kinko’s with a bunch of other weirdos, and we’d hang out at a little goth record store called Shadowplay and a club called Liberty Drug on Campus Corner.”
Outside of those few venues for underground, niche, and alternative music and culture, however, Anderson said there wasn’t anything close to the open-armed acceptance of left-field styles and counter cultures that seems to drive the OKC and Norman scenes now.
“It’s the kind of thing I think you see in any college town that’s able to evolve over time,” he said. “It’s the same as in Bloomington [Indiana] where I live now. The college town culture just needs something kind of bigger than itself to grow.”
The key, he believes, to developing that kind of encompassing, less-exclusive community that’s willing to take chances on strange music and esoteric performances, even if it’s small, is to create a scene that recognizes the importance of supporting one another instead of looking for outside validation.
“I think with a place like Oklahoma City,” he said, “It’s a big city, but it’s also small enough – and in Oklahoma – that there just kind of has to be some kind of self-sufficient underground culture. It has to thrive on its own.”
Between the hyper-indie Dissociation and One Aux groups, and the mind-warping creativity of the acts and artists he’ll be performing alongside, it’s safe to say that he’ll have a front-row view of just how much Oklahoma’s underground culture is thriving.
Drekka does a three-night run through Oklahoma August 28th at Bookish in OKC, August 29th at Opolis in Norman, both presented by Dissociation OK and August 30th at Noise Town in Tulsa for the One Aux Experimental Music Showcase.
For more information, visit opolis.org, noisetowntulsa.com, and follow @shop.bookish, @dissociationoklahoma, and @one.aux all on Instagram.
Follow Drekka at @mkldrekka on Instagram and at drekka.bandcamp.com.
You can find out about local music and performance happenings in the OKC metro weekly in this music column by Brett Fieldcamp. | Brought to you by True Sky Credit Union.
Brett Fieldcamp has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly 15 years, writing for several local and state publications. He’s also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.
Teaching is easily one of the most challenging and rewarding professions anywhere. And while most deserve to be recognized, when we heard about Deanne Strothers, we had to come meet her.
The Harding Charter Prep teacher has been teaching life through math for 30 years.
“My goal is to make them understand that they can get through tough stuff,” said Strothers.
But seven years ago, there was some tough stuff put on her plate that was really tough to swallow.
“I had kids that would come in, and they didn’t have any. They didn’t have a lunch card, so they couldn’t eat,” said Strothers.
She recalls one student in particular, at a previous school.
“She came in, and she’s like, I’m hungry,” said Strothers.
After giving the student the peanut butter and jelly sandwich she had brought for lunch, Strothers made a decision: as long as she was teaching, no child would go hungry.
“And so, I’m like, I’ve got to get something that is universal, and we landed on peanut butter and jelly,” said Strothers.
So, for the past seven years, each night she and her husband have prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, totaling over 30,000 sandwiches.
It’s always grape jelly, you don’t have to be in any of her classes and the sandwiches are typically gone before 9 a.m.
“I would rather have a well-fed child than a child sitting here, not having the capability to really pay attention because they are hungry,” said Strothers.
As word spread of her personal feeding program, it prompted a visit from Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, Dan Hamlin, who didn’t come empty-handed.
“Well, we wanted to give you a check for supplies,” said Hamlin.
“I think it’s incredibly important that we recognize the great work that our teachers are doing across the state,” said Hamlin.
“I’ll keep doing this as long as I am teaching,” said Strothers.
As expected, Mrs. Strothers says she will use the check for more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The $250.00 donation will paY for about one semester of sandwiches.
Today on the Spotlight, our crew explored why Winter Park Resort is so much more than a snowy winter destination. Nestled in Colorado’s breathtaking Fraser Valley along the Continental Divide, this mountain escape transforms into an outdoor paradise once the snow melts—offering cool temperatures, endless sunshine, and adventures for every kind of traveler.
Just 70 minutes from Denver and one of the closest major mountain resorts to Denver International Airport, Winter Park makes it easy to trade city life for alpine views. Surrounded by towering 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks, the resort delivers postcard-worthy scenery with summer temperatures that rarely climb above 80 degrees. Add in more than 300 days of sunshine each year, and it’s easy to see why so many visitors are discovering Winter Park as a perfect warm-weather getaway.
The resort village itself offers plenty of charm, with lodging, dining, shopping, and activities all conveniently located in one walkable area. Whether you’re looking for high-energy thrills or a laid-back mountain retreat, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
One of the most popular summer attractions is the scenic gondola ride, which carries guests up to 10,700 feet for unforgettable panoramic views of the Continental Divide, colorful wildflowers, and towering aspen groves. Adventure seekers can race down Colorado’s longest alpine slide or hit the trails to explore more than 3,000 acres of scenic hiking terrain. For those wanting to relax, Sunspot Mountain Lodge offers mountaintop dining with incredible views.
As the sun begins to set, the mountain comes alive with happy hour gatherings and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind after a day of adventure.
Winter Park is also home to the legendary Trestle Bike Park, one of the top downhill mountain biking destinations in the country. Opening Memorial Weekend, the park features more than 40 miles of gravity-fed downhill trails designed for riders of all skill levels. Advanced bikers can tackle technical terrain, while beginners can ease into the sport with mellow trails, rental gear, and lessons available onsite. Visitors who prefer a more relaxed ride can explore the area with e-bike rentals and guided mountain tours.
Beyond the resort, Winter Park serves as an ideal base camp for exploring some of Colorado’s most iconic outdoor destinations. The quieter west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park is only about 35 minutes away, offering fewer crowds and incredible opportunities to spot wildlife like moose and elk.
And for travelers wanting to spend time on the water, Grand Lake, Lake Granby, and Shadow Mountain Lake are all within about an hour of the resort, offering boating, fishing, paddling, and even more mountain recreation opportunities.
From scenic gondola rides and alpine slides to mountain biking, hiking, lakeside escapes, and national park adventures, Winter Park truly lives up to its reputation as Colorado’s gateway to summer fun. Visitors looking to plan their next mountain getaway can find lodging deals, trailside stays, and a full calendar of summer events at Winter Park Resort.
Convicted felon Robert Morris — a megachurch pastor who abused 12-year-old Cindy Clemishire in 1982 — walked out of an Oklahoma prison in the early hours of March 31.
But time is running out to get legislation aimed at helping abuse victims such as Clemishire — and a bill named for her unanimously passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives— to Gov. Kevin Stritt’s desk.
The Cindy Clemishire Act, HB 4227 would eliminate Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for prosecuting child sexual abuse and prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in related settlement cases.
The NDA provision is also known as “Trey’s Law” in remembrance of Trey Carlock, who was sexually abused at Camp Kanakuk, a Christian retreat in the Ozarks. Part of his legal settlement included a restrictive NDA that prohibited him from speaking about his abuse or Kanakuk’s role.
Carlock died by suicide, aged 28, after having told a therapist, “they will always control me, and I’ll never be free.”
Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report, and you can elect to receive our featured offer, “Kiss and Tell: The Innocent Moment That Shattered Mark Driscoll’s Cult” by Vince Manuele – click here.
Yet for unknown reasons, the Oklahoma Senate’s leadership hasn’t yet brought the measure to the floor, and the legislative session is slated to end this Thursday (May 14).
“I’ve just been told they’re not going to hear it. No reason,” Oklahoma state Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore) told online news outlet NonDoc.com on May 5. “I am baffled. Disappointed and baffled.”
Apparently standing in the way are state Sens. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, the Senate floor leader, and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Senate pro tempore. Daniels, according to the NonDoc.com report, won’t schedule a hearing for the bill, and Paxton reportedly is deferring to her on the matter.
The Roys Report (TRR) has contacted Daniels and Paxton for comment, as well as state Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. None immediately responded.
In a statement, Clemishire admonished Oklahoma lawmakers to get the bill passed.
“For decades, predators like Robert Morris have hidden behind outdated laws to evade justice, but the time for silence is over. To the members of the Oklahoma Senate: you have the power to ensure no other child is forced into the shadows, but your work is not done until these protections are sent to the governor,” she said.
Elizabeth Phillips, sister of Trey Carlock and founder of No More Victims, was also emphatic about the need for passage.
“Predators rely on silence and time–the law shouldn’t reward either,” said Phillips. “We are calling on Oklahoma Senate leadership to stand with survivors by ending the forced silence imposed on them by NDAs, like the one that silenced my brother to his grave, and remove the criminal statute of limitations for child sex crimes just as 44 other U.S. states have done. Please, don’t let the clock run out on survivors.”
Oklahoma is one of six states — along with the U.S. House of Representatives — where measures aiding victims of clergy sexual abuse have been filed. Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and West Virginia are the others where legislation has been introduced.
In 2025, similar legislation was enacted in Texas, Missouri, California, and Tennessee, while Alabama and Georgia did so this year.
Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.
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