Paul LaRoche is best know as Brule’, one of the top-selling Native American recording artists with more than a million CDs sold worldwide. Brule’ and his award-winning band, AIRO (American Indian Rock Opera), tour the US with approximately 100 or more appearances each year.
LaRoche’s music is a result of his life story. Adopted at birth LaRoche grew up in white, middle-class America and didn’t uncover his Native American heritage until he was in his mid-30s. Risking everything to reunite with his blood family on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation, LaRoche walked away from his engineering background in the Twin Cities to discover his true ancestry and bridge the gap between White and Native America.
It is Paul's mission to be a cultural role model and use his music to make the world a better place for all relations upon the earth. The distinct sound of Brulé, a hauntingly beautiful mix of flute, piano, traditional drum, and various guitars, has captured the attention of actor Kevin Costner, First Americans in the Arts, and the Native American Music Academy (NAMA). In June, 2006, Brulé won "Best Compilation Recording" for his release The Collection, while AIRO won "Group of the Year" for its release Tatanka at the NAMA Awards in Hollywood, FL.
Originally from southern Minnesota, Paul and his wife, Kathy, have been married for 30 years and currently reside on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation in central South Dakota. Their two adult children, Shane and Nicole, are both members of AIRO, and have co-produced music with LaRoche. Together they’ve been traveling and successfully promoting their music and concerts for the past 11 years. LaRoche’s annual tour gives him a front-and-center position as musical ambassador to share his life story with a message of reconciliation and healing.
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