10 Questions - Khadijatou Doyneh
Published 22 August 2009
Singer Khadijatou Doyneh steps up to the 10 Questions mark this week.
'''1. Where do you find inspiration for your work?'''
I’ve learnt a lot along the journey of my life so far...
Spending my formative years in Guyana, I acquired Caribbean patois naturally which inspires my writing. It was only much later whilst in full ‘K2’ character, that I realised that I come alive, colourful and have a laugh saying what I mean in my true African-Caribbean twang. Naturally, different tracks on my forthcoming debut album express contrasting parts of personality.
The inspiration for much historical reference in ‘Sex, Lies & History’ began after with my increasing knowledge of European and World history over time. Beginning with studies at Middlesex University, it inspired many sojourns to Africa, Caribbean, Latin America, USA, Canada and Europe.
Living in Spain for a year of my life, gave me the initial set of inspiration for my work on 'History'. That precise place, space and time gave me first-class tools, fired-up my imagination to delve deeper into writing poetry about how I felt about what I was exposed to.
There I was reading letters written by Cristobel Colon (Christopher Columbus) to Queen Isabelle and King Fernandez, from way back in the 1490s. I was at Valencia University, struggling to grasp Spanish during a 1 year Erasmus programme, when Spain celebrated ‘500 years of Columbus’ from 1492-1992 with huge exhibitions in Museums. Original documents described the environment, fauna, sexuality, how amazingly open, friendly, naked and beautiful the indigenous people they found living there were. Also, plans of ‘how to’ dominate, conquer and exploit ‘discovered’ peoples and lands, subsequently signalling the end of many indigenous civilisations including the Mayans, Aztecs, Arawaks, Caribes etc...
My later work, ‘200 years of Vex’, began life from seeds planted by emotions evoked, including from the TV programmes and radio shows covering the 2007 Bi-Centenary of the Abolition of Slavery. Like many people, I felt I had neither voice nor representation. I felt guided to write. My need to share connected thoughts on this much appreciated but covert subject with many, especially young people, resulted in my work being booked extensively for performances, especially at launches of Black History Month in London. Also internationally at the Hector Peterson Museum in Soweto Township, as well as live on Soweto TV and SABC radio in South Africa in December 2008. The subjects are still not taught extensively and largely unspoken about.
My ‘Spanish and Latin American Studies’ over three years informed me more about my own African and Caribbean Diaspora heritage than anything ever taught at any school at any level. So, a duty.
Inspiration for other work comes from the fruits of an ongoing experience and observation of our human condition. Personal experiences from life opened my veins to deeper understanding of people, relationships, sexuality, culture, socialisation, institutional discrepancies. African heritage worldwide defines a solid place for me in the world. A variety of specific moments in time around the globe gave me gifts in words and rhythms.
Collaborations with great musicians helped express music creations and inspiration with a clear sense of purpose - to share. A clear link between ‘Sex, lies and history’ inspired the name of the upcoming album about life, change and interaction between people.
'''2. What has been your most memorable performance?'''
I most remember performances that enable me to extend myself. There’s been a few and I want there to be very many more. Examples:-
• Main stage with my band at the venerable Royal Festival Hall and at Birmingham Hippodrome. I enjoyed performing to 4,000 people, a responsive packed out audience. I enjoyed the feeling and visualized what is really possible. It was part of ‘In Celebration of my Sisters’ (The Write Thing). I later discovered that a dynamic photographic image of ‘Khadijatou in performance at RFH’, taken by Arhmet Francis, was subsequently used as the front cover spread of the ‘Africa Beyond’ brochures and on-line magazines which went out globally.
• Performing at the Bafokeng Music and Arts Festival in South Africa along with South Africa’s finest artists. Filling a giant stage with just me, the microphone, and two fat drum sticks playing beats on the Zulu drum, sharing a fresh musical vibe and a message. Hearing the whole stadium of voices responding back in chant rhythm to ‘These Goods!’ and ‘Into the Jungle’. We were guests of the Royal Bakokeng Family.
• Touring London and Europe with ‘The Heliocentrics’ – especially shows at the Metro and Cargo (supporting Mulato Astake) in London, at Paradiso in Holland, Jazz Re:made Festival in Italy and shows in Switzerland and Belgium – all at first class music venues.
'''3. Where in the world would you most like to perform... and why?'''
I’d like to perform and tour around the Globe. UK-wide, Europe, USA, Japan, Australia, Africa, Asia...
During ‘Aim for America’ in New York in 2006 meeting the US music industry with UKTI, I was told by delegates from the US music industry that there is definitely a market for my work in the USA. I was also told the same for Europe. I’d like to explore the UK. I like to explore all options. I’m open to all discussions. I aim to have my music available to people everywhere, with deals in place for all aspects of business.
Why? I feel my whole purpose for writing & performing is to share words and music vibes with audiences far and wide, in amazing events, programmes, festivals and tours that reach people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, ages, crossing language barriers. I’ve been told my sound brings a refreshing music vibe and resounds well with many people in different ways; fun, contemplation, inspiration, a colourful show.
On forthcoming album “Sex, Lies & History” each track has a story, an identity. Many of the tracks popular with people were inspired directly by moments in time spent in different countries including in Europe, USA, South America and Africa as well as here in the UK. A clear aim for the future is to enjoy a healthy schedule performing the album and new tracks, making it as accessible as possible.
'''4. Who/what has been the greatest influence on your creative output?'''
From a musical point of view, work is deeply nourished and informed by certain ‘moments’ in life. Being a Djembe player with a keen interest for rhythm and marrying it with my songs andpPoetry. Sojourns to South and West Africa, The Americas, Canada, Europe mixing in deep within the culture via exchanges and shared experiences inspire me.
As do friendships, traditions, life stories, colours, sounds and rhythms. On the writing side, creating an eclectic mix of dramatic short stories in English and Caribbean patois covering a few musical genres truthfully reflects my own diverse background.
One clear aim has always been to share the work that life’s journeys influenced, and I'm encouraged by invites to some of the places that influenced my work. On my album “Sex, Lies & History” many tracks were influenced by location and created abroad:
‘Ama Woman’ was written immediately on awaking on the first day of the new Millennium whilst in Durban, South Africa. The track ‘These Goods!’ was written in L.A & San Francisco, celebrating achievement. ‘Into the Jungle’ was written in London’s Jazz Café; reflecting on Senegal in West Africa after Khadijatou visited ‘La maison de l’esclavage’, the door of non-return, on Goree Island, one of the main slave market places of old. ‘
Accused’ about misunderstandings and crossed wires, created whilst recording in South Africa. Released vinyl 12” ’AA Batteries’ (K2 WordPlay) and ‘If I was free’ are part of a group of work that Khadijatou named ‘dub erotica’. Music flow fuses World Afro-beats, Jazz, Dub, Rhythm & Blues, Hip-Hop, Dance and Funk in a soulful mix of voice.
Influential Artists include: Millie Jackson, James Brown, Billie Holliday, Bob Marley, Prince, Joe Cocker, Betty Carter, Nina Simone, Fela Kuti, Busi Mhlongo, Grace Jones, Carleen Anderson, Turbulence etc. Examples for me are already set by successful Poet/Musicians such as Gill Scott Heron, Last Poets, Mutaburka, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Eryka Badu, Jill Scott, and Meshell Ndegeocello to name some.
'''5. What has been the highlight of your career so far?'''
There are a few, more personal, highlights that I shall share with you:
• Performing for His Royal Highness, King Zweletini, the King of the Zulu Nation and his family in Nongoma, Kwa Zulu, South Africa, when were invited to take part in their ritual cultural celebration. It was a humbling experience and I felt ‘super-honored’ to sing there, especially as they are the descendents of King Shaka Zulu. They welcomed me back into Africa as a ‘Zulu’.
• Also, performing for the late Rain Queen Modjadi IV, who is legendary and exalted.
Both of these unique opportunities, performances and profound experiences fulfilled a deep spiritual prophetic dream I had way back in time whilst in Canada; long before I ever had the opportunity to tour to the African continent.
'''6. Who would you most like to work with...and why?'''
I have an open mind to who I’d like to work with. Musically: I’d like to meet and work with great producers, artists, re-mixers, publishers, etc to take my music to ‘next levels’ and bring out the best in my current and future work.
Touring: As I have yet to venture to the deepest parts of UK & Europe, or mainstream USA and Africa. I’d like to to be included in platforms consortiums, venues and programmers produce.
Within the UK: festivals - on the suitable stages - Womad, Glastonbury, Reading, The Big Chill, Edinburgh, London Jazz Festival etc. Also others like North Sea Jazz, Zanzibar, Cape Town Jazz, and USA would be progressive.
Why? I feel I’m moving forward and open to exciting collaborations with talented people. I’ve recently worked with ‘The Heliocentrics’ and my work ‘Second Chance’ features on their album ‘Out There’ (Stonesthrow/Now Again Records). I enjoyed creating new work which has included touring reaching completely new audiences across Europe. It’s a great sense of achievement as things fall into place.
'''7. What is the best job you have ever had?'''
I truly believe that the best is yet to come! Being a ‘performing artist’ is the most enjoyable job I ever had. The most satisfying position I got deep spiritual gratification from, for over a decade, was as co-partner/producer running ‘Step Afrika! International Cultural Festival, a cultural exchange between South Africa, UK and USA since 1995. Also, as Founder/Artistic Director of ‘Step Afrika! UK’, providing unique training in the performing arts.
'''8. Where do you see yourself/your company in 5 years?'''
I see myself as a more established performing artist with great new work in music. Creating new ways of expressing my work that’s consistent and quality ; basically producing work that I’m happy with and which supports me.
I see myself doing successful business with deals in place, great management etc. Long-term: touring new work in different countries, and in the UK, engaging with media whether on stage, tv, radio or online media areas and collaborating with other great people on the way.
'''9. What makes you happiest about performing?'''
I love meeting interesting people at performances and being part of creating a unique environment and vibe. I feel happiest in the midst of a performance, where you can feel a closer pull – a certain magnetism – a connection that brings audiences closer to the stage, amongst the words and music, and seeing when them move. It can be a trance-like zone sometimes as I dance to the music, play percussion as well as talk and sing.
With great musicians, it’s a very exciting energetic show, with many different soundscapes, colours and rhythms. It is spiritually fulfilling to sense unique unifying connections amongst people in an audience through my work.
'''10. What concerns you most about the state of the Performing Arts Sector in the UK?'''
There are some things that concern me, but those things are not within my control.
What I am most concerning myself with at decibel is showing what I do on stage, so that my work can be exposed. I’m aware of the amount of support we need to enable our work to be booked, to sell, to continue and develop long-lasting relationships. So the links and connections with delegates – I hope will turn into productive results. Therefore, as a fresh new face to many, it’s mostly about being positively embraced and invited in by individual producers, the main consortiums and hubs that provide the keys to the unique and brilliant openings and opportunities.
It would be amazing to be programmed into great and exciting events at both unusual and venerable venues within the UK. With a good product to bring to the table, it could fit into different genres of music and spoken word alike. It would be great to be invited to various types of events.
I’ve achieved some great things independently in the arts, in collaborations, without concern for the accolades normally associated with success. Now fully in music, I would like to know that I could gain extensive tour support from the UK performing arts sector, build good working relationships, the right teams around me and strengthen the strong foundation into something sustainable into the long term.
I see myself moving forward in music and I see decibel as a positive opportunity to be embraced and backed by people representing the performing arts sector in the UK and wider.
10 Questions - Ismail Mahomed
Published 9 August 2009
We're turning our ten questions radar on decibel delegates this week and probe Ismail Mahomed, Festival Director of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, South Africa.
'''1. Where do you find inspiration?'''
I draw inspiration from an understanding that the arts give us hope and that the arts define who we are.
'''2. Of all the pieces you have been involved with throughout your career, which work or performance is the most memorable?'''
Every new performance that I see offers me new experiences. What I think will remain as the greatest oratory piece of this decade will be Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration speech... this was theatre at its fullest.
'''3. Who/what has been the greatest influence on your career?'''
I got into the arts after graduating as a mathematics teacher. It was the Education Crises in South Africa during the politically tumultuous period of the eighties that drew me into the arts. I gravitate to the arts because I value its ability to heal, transform, challenge, change and reflect our societies.
'''4. What has been the highlight of your career so far?'''
1996 was a highlight when I was the first person of colour to be appointed at the Witbank Civic Theatre two years after Apartheid had ended. I inherited a theatre that was in financial ruins and one that was located in a city that was racially polarized. I left there eight years later with the theatre in a stable financial situation and as an institution that was transformed and embraced by all the citizens of the city.
My current job as the Director of the National Arts Festival brings new challenges and I embrace this challenge with the same optimism & hope.
'''5. Who would you most like to work with…and why?'''
In order to be a true professional, my integrity is measured by my ability to give the same dedicated attention and care to the work of an emerging artist as I would to a well-known established star. There are many great names that I’d like to work with but I equally enjoy working with unknowns because unknowns become tomorrow’s stars.
'''6. What is the best job you have ever had?'''
My current position is probably the best that I could ever have. As Director of the National Arts Festival, I get to be in the center of what makes South Africa so culturally and artistically exciting.
'''7.How do you see yourself/your company/venue in 5 years?'''
I would like to see the National Arts Festival being at the forefront of the leading arts festivals in the world. At the moment we are the second largest arts festival in the world. I would like to see us being at the forefront of positioning work from Africa to the rest of the globe and bringing work from the rest of the globe to Africa.
'''8. What makes you happiest about your work?'''
Hearing artists telling me that they’ve had a fulfilling and inspiring experience working for the National Arts Festival. Similarly, hearing our audiences expressing satisfaction.
'''9. Who have you most enjoyed working with?'''
The list is endless …
'''10. What concerns you most about the state of the Performing Arts Sector in the UK?'''
No comment …. I am not familiar with the sector.
