This
Month We have interviewed for you The Group
Djous : " La douce Qui vient " We
must add that the Montreal Based group is working
very hard to Fullfill the Legacy of Nemours
Jean Baptiste : to Make Compas An universal
Art form. Keep an Eye for them, as they soon
will be playing at a Night Club Near you.
CC. What is your full Name? Do you have a nickname?
What is your latest release?
Joel:
My name is Joel Etienne. My nickname…????
I probably have many. It's best to leave that
alone. Ha haha… Our latest album is called
" La douce
qui vient…" A nice melodic
album with a mellow edge.
CC.To
someone who never heard of you, how would you
describe yourself and your music?
Claudyne:I
consider myself as a kind and joyful person.
Although I have a very strong personality, and
the members of the group can explain that, I
care about everyone and anyone. I think what
characterise my music, is that when you see
me, you will immediately think that I am a girl
that is walking on clouds but as soon as I start
singing, you realise that Claudyne is a young
women with good and bad experiences in her life,
making her voice as strong and confident as
it is… As for our music it is the same:
very funny and joyful from the outside but when
you pay attention to the words, they say something,
they tell you a story of life.
CC. How would you evaluate the response of the public
toward your music?
Jude:
Our music is great to listen to and even better
to dance to. It's melodic with a smooth yet
strong compas groove. The words are sometimes
serious, sometimes playful but always thoughtful.
That's why, in my opinion, the response of the
public has been very positive so far. What we
need to do is make sure as many compas lovers
as possible get a chance to listen to it. Like
the song says, once they experience "La
douce qui vient" they won't let go.
CC. Haitian
music receives very little international recognition,
What do you think can help bring Compas &
Haiti to an international audience?
Jean-Philippe:
Well, it's a question that needs a little more
than one sentence…I'll add that this answer
will not concern only Compas, because the problem
touches all the Haitian music industry…Here
it goes: There is s few reasons why our music
has not yet reach a good international market.
First of all, we need better promoters and producers
in order to get better recognition worldwide
and to be presentable in a professional way.
We have to believe more in ourselves, our music,
and our roots and understand that the person
who's the more audacious will get the attention
he deserves. I mean, there are not a lot of
things needed to be adjust in order for our
music to reach the world's heart. We need to
mix, if I can use the term, or better yet, blend
our traditional roots and compas with the world's
popular music like jazz, R&B, salsa, etc.
I think we're in the good direction: To just
mention a few, I'd say that Alan Cavé,
Jean Bémol Telfort, The Group Mozayik,
Boulo Valourt and Fred Paul with Haïtiando,
Strings, Réginald Policard, Toto Laraque
(instrumental), the Widmaier family and us of
course, are already doing a part of the work
.The younger generation's Michael Benjamin (who's
to be watched closely) is already putting his
input into a new way of passing the message.
I hope Haitian musicians (any generation) will
continue in the same direction in this new era.
CC. Why
did you choose this Style of Music: Compas?
Claudyne:
I would not say that I have chosen Compas…
It is more the other way around: Compas chose
me. You see I was born in Canada but originated
from Haiti. Compas was in my blood since the
day I got out of my mom's tummy and I was not
even aware of that gift. I just had the great
chance of letting it out in front of the public.
So, in resume, Compas chose me a long time ago!
CC. What
other Style of Music influenced you most?
Tony:
Definitely R&B, Funk and soul are right
up there, but I can't say that it is what influenced
me the most. I would more talk about periods
of influence. It all started with The Jackson
5 and the whole music scene in the Mid 70's,
I then had a Rock phase in my early Teens, and
up to the Age of 20 I can say I was mostly influenced
by bands like SOS band Earth wind & Fire
Loose Ends Mtume etc. In those days Kiss FM
ruled when I used to go on Summer Vacation in
NYC. Then I met with these guys and I started
exploring the world of Zouk &Compas. I'm
someone that listens to all kinds of music so
I get influenced by everything I hear from hip
hop salsa, soukous, pop, bossa nova, in general
any music that has an "Afro" root.
CC. How
do you describe your relations with other groups?
Do you work with any other groups, exchanging
ideas and experience?
Joel:
So far I could only talk about the Montreal
groups. Personally, I think there is not enough
solidarity among the Montreal groups. Every
one is trying to step over one and other to
try to get ahead. In the end, We are all going
nowhere fast ..!!! Don't get me wrong, We don't
have any problems with anyone. But it just seems
that every group thinks they are better then
another, making it hard to do anything together,
whether it's a show or just a friendly jam session.
CC. Who do younk is the greatest sport Figure of
the past century?
Jean-Philippe:
For the past century! Hmmm….I love playing
and watching football (soccer)…So, as my
favorite sport, I'd say that one of the greatest
sport figure in my book was Pele.
CC. Live CD's are everywhere now. Any opinion on
the Practice?
Tony:
Well I think its the industry's way of going
around what seems to be a very particular preference
with the Haitians consumer. We all have heard
the numerous stories of Fans going out of their
way to get a " Cassette bal NYC or Boston
" of such or such group. I think that what
the consumers are looking for in live Albums
is the atmosphere found in a live Compas performance.
But if this means that they would buy both the
Studio and the live version that would be great
News for Haitian music. Because we need to increase
our record sales if we want our music to evolve.
A Compas hit CD should be able to sell 100 000
copies, right now a hit sells 10 000 or 15 000
copies and that's being very optimistic. Record
sales are an indicator of how healthy a music
form is and any other form of " consumption
" of a music form will remain underground.
So to summarize I think that if producing Live
CD's is the only way to get Haitians to buy
CD's, I'm all for it. But we have to support
our conventional " studio recording "
also. Other wise we will never succeed in making
other people take notice of the great talent
our artists have as well as promote Haitian
culture in General, because unfortunately in
the world we live in today if you don't sell
you don't " Exist ".
CC. Joel, what do you think about Live CD's
Joel:
Well I think live CD's are hurting the industry.
There are just too many out there and they are
not always done with great quality. This practice
doesn't help us bring our music to other markets.
If you compare these albums to Salsa albums
or Zouk albums or R&B albums, it just doesn't
compare.You can do so much in studio in terms
of sound, effects, sampling etc…and I think
Compas music does not utilize enough of those
techniques. Record labels are reluctant to pay
15K-20K for a studio album because the band
can just record a "Live Bal" and put
it out on CD. New bands are putting out a live
CD's as a debut album. A live CD is good once
the band has put out 3 to 4 Studio album. A
live compilation of the band's hits.
CC. Zouk is slowly becoming a very popular style,
given it's roots Why do you think compas still
fails to reach a similar level of popularity?
Joel:
I think business wise, Guadeloupe & Martinique
are better in commercializing their music than
we Haitians commercialize Compas. Also the fact
that Guadeloupe & Martinique are French
departments, they have access to a big market
in France and also a favorable infrastructure
towards this type of music. But most important,
the clientele In France buy a lot of studio
recorded Cd's and are proud to own the original
CD. We have yet to make Compas accessible to
our North American market. Is it the quality
of our work ?, the format in which we present
it…..( example :live CD's ) …? .I
don't know ! I think Zouk is easier to commercialize
as its put in a very compact & commercial
format. I'm talking about the length of songs,
the melodic line for the vocals, the production
etc.. . I think Konpa could use some of those
Ideas .
CC. What do you think is your greatest achievement
?
Tony:
My Daughter and keeping my Family together.
Claudyne:
Personally, I honestly think that my biggest
achievements are still to come. I am wiser and
smarter as I get older. I really know what I
want. Therefore, it is possible for me and easier
too, to follow my dreams and aspirations in
order to accomplish my achievements.
Jude:
:Like Claudyne said, I'm sure the best is yet
to come for me. But so far, my greatest achievement
has been coaching basketball to Haitian kids
at high school level: in five years we've shown
our whole province (state) that Haitian kids
can be smart, disciplined and perform at a high
level.
CC. What is Your Greatest Disappointment
Claudyne:
I wish that my parents had encouraged me in
music when I was younger.
Jean-Philippe:
I can't accept the fact that there is such a
lack in Caribbean music representation in North
America and at the same time not yet a label
that outshine itself.
CC. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Joel:
A lot can happen in 10 years. Music wise, I
hope to be able keep writing music and put out
some great songs. I would like for new up coming
band to say that they were influenced by what
I wrote.
Claudyne:
Definitely with kids, finally! I adore them!
Married and working home as a writer. I also
hope that my name will make a difference to
all the young Haitians women that wish to sing
compas.
Jude: Older,
wiser, still good looking though with a couple
of kids and hopefully still involved in music.
CC. If you were president for one day what would
you do?
Claudyne:
I would erase poverty and discrimination of
all kinds, all over the world. I would make
sure that everyone as a fair chance of succeeding
in life by having financial and personal support
when needed.
CC..Is
they're any particular artists that you consider
a role model?
Tony:
Artistically I can say that as a singer I have
3 role models Boulot Valcourt, Ralph Thamar
and J.P. Marthely But I also admire a lot of
R&B singers like Jill Scott That I listen
to a lot lately Seal and Sade.
Claudyne:
As a woman I have to say Gloria Estefan because
she has shown me that with the right companion
in your life you can have it all: success and
a happy family.
Jude:
Wow! Nobody said Wyclef Jean! With the Fugees
and as a solo artist he made it OK. to be Haitian
and be proud of it!
CC..
What can we expect from you and your group in
the near future?
Jean-Philippe:
Hopefully, in the near future we'll probably
bring out more of each ther's personal work.
In the group there are certainly a lot of potential,
a lot of skills and many ideas in preparation
not revealed yet. So, maybe we'll show you more
of the ingredients in the [djous'] more than
the [djous'] itself…
CC. Who are the permanent members of your group?
Joel:
We are now six. Myself: I compose and do Vocals
on stage. I play a little guitar and do a bit
of sequencing.
Tony Grand Pierre: lead Vocals, Writes lyrics
and music, plays a little keyboards.
Christophe Lafontant : Percussion, lyrics and
music.
Jean Philippe Argant: Maestro, keybords &
composer.
Jude Alexandre : Lead Vocals, writes lyrics
composer.
Claudyne
Hilaire: Lead Vocals, lyrics.
CC. What does the band Schedule looks like? Any
upcoming tours?
Tony:
Nothing yet in view we are working on a few
possibilities.
CC. What do you think is the impact of music videos
in compas?
Tony:
It's increasing more and more. For example,
Its mainly thanks to our Video that Djous was
known by people even though the album wasn't
a big hit. As long as its done with taste, a
video always helps an artist whether the song
is a hit or not. That's what I think. But for
sure the technical quality and the means an
artist will get to make quality Videos depends
on the size of the market they are in. As you
know making a good quality video, like what
plays on BET or MTV has a pretty hefty price
tag. So even though it's hard financially I
applaud the efforts made by Haitian artists
who do choose to put out a video.
CC.Is
they're anything you would like to say to the
public. Any special message to the Kids?
Tony:
What I would like to say is support the Haitian
music industry by buying CD's. Its good that
Konpa bands are massively supported when they
go on tour, T-Vice, Mizik Mizik, System Band
etc. Often play to packed shows, but normally
a sold out tour usually corresponds to "
high " record sale, but unfortunately its
not the case, for the turn out these bands get
they should be selling more CD's, we need to
change that. So Support Haitian culture in general
by doing so you will raise the standards and
quality of what we as artists create and eventually
make the rest of the world appreciate what we
as a culture have to offer. And to the kids,
one word Education get as much as you can, and
be proud of were you come from you have a lot
of reasons to be.
Claudyne:
Never be afraid to be proud of who you are and
where you come from. Even if it seems that you
have nothing to show for or to be grateful for,
always remember that your personality and your
origins will always be a source of strength
in the worst moment. Always!
Jude:
Know, love, respect yourself and your own.
Jean-Philippe:
Be humble, innovative, and serious with lots
of humor and express yourself with all you heart.
Never keep anything inside of you, when you
know it can bring help to others. In other terms
don't ever be afraid to show your "inside"
outside so people can use your experiences in
order to better themselves as you would. Last
but not least, do not do to others what you
wouldn't want done to you.
|
