It is a great honor to be able to interview this amazing band from NYC. Cheers Antibalas and thanks for keeping the afrobeat grooves alive. -EgoAssassin.com
****Interview with Stuart from Antibalas***
EA: Can you give us a brief history of the band?
Antibalas: Relatively painless birth. showed early promise as a child, but didn’t socialize well. began cross dressing and enjoying extreme varieties of self amusement. then the rains came and everything changed. we settled for stories around the kitchen table. father would often improvise plastic for chewing gum.
EA: How many members are currently in the band?
Antibalas: Sometimes a lot, sometimes too many. rarely too few.
EA: What are the major influences on the Antibalas sound, styles, and ideas? (not only music)
Antibalas: Childhood has been a major influence on us all. our childhoods, that is.
EA: What inspired the name for your record entitled “Who is This America?”
Antibalas: Collective self effacement.
EA: Is it true that you guys have played in over 20 countries worldwide?
Antibalas: Texas counts as another country, right?
EA: What is your favorite country or city to play in?
Antibalas: Next month it’s France, 100 percent.
EA: Did Antibalas get a chance to perform with any musicians that were truly admired?
Antibalas: I truly have admired every single member of antibalas.
EA: What are 2 major accomplishments that you as a band would like to achieve in the future?
EA: Do you have a favorite Antibalas song?
Antibalas: I like the guitar part to el machete, makes me dance funny.
EA: Who writes the songs?
Antibalas: Lady luck and jesus collaborate, and different perverts watch through a key hole and take notes.
EA: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our society today?
Antibalas: Fear i guess, but i don’t wanna say for sure. …it sure has me in knots.
EA: What bothers you the most about the music industry today?
Antibalas: Its lack of industriousness.
EA: With such a big group, one must wonder….does your band get along with each other?
Antibalas: Its the best and worst.
EA: What is the most important message that Antibalas wants to give to their fans or those listening?
Antibalas: Love.
EA: Much thanks to Stuart and the Antibalas fellas. Long live the music and passion you bring to the scene.
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July 12, 2008 at 9:21 am |
whoa.
how’d you swing that?!?
August 20, 2008 at 4:26 pm |
Dear Ego Assassin ,
We have recently become fans of your blog here at Art Meets Commerce, and so we would like to cordially invite you to attend a complimentary performance of Fela! An Afrobeat Musical at 37 ARTS (450 W. 37th St btw 9th & 10th avenues).
Choreographed and Staged by Bill T. Jones
Based on the life of Fela Kuti
In this new musical, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones with a book by Jim Lewis and arrangements by Aaron Johnson and Antibalas, audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), Fela! explores Kuti’s controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. Featuring many of Fela Kuti’s most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones’s imaginative staging, this new show is a provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater.
Please Choose a Date:
Tuesday, August 26 at 7pm
Wednesday, August 27 at 8pm
or
Thursday, August 28st at 8pm
For rapid confirmation please respond to jglaub@artmeetscommerce.net. Please include whether or not you will be bringing a guest. We look forward to seeing you at Fela! Visit the website at http://www.felaoffbroadway.com for more details. I hope you can make it! It should be a lot of fun.
Please note that if you cannot make these dates, than we can accommodate you.
Sincerely,
Crystal