Did you know, we’re supporting the 2012 Roundhouse Rising? It’s an amazing festival, which takes place over half-term on 9-18 February in London, centring around the Roundhouse venue in Camden.
We’ll be interviewing six of the artists taking part in the Rising, right here on the STA Travel Blog, over the next couple of weeks so come back and find out more.
For more information, visit the Roundhouse Rising website.
Today’s interview is with Krar Collective, an Ethiopian band named after their native 5 or 6 stringed harp.
The band are led by Temesegen Tareken — a former pupil of veteran Ethiopian vibraphone player, Mulatu Astatke — on Krar, with drums, and singer Genet Asefa and drummer Amare. They are sometimes joined by other musicians, singers and a full dance show with 4 dancers.
STA Travel meets Krar Collective
Remember, if you’re inspired by the interview with Krar Collective, you’ll find them playing at Richmix in London, on February 17th. Tickets are just £5, and the event raises funds towards their artistic programme and incredible work with young people.
Before you read the interview, here’s a flavour of the Krar Collective in action at WOMEX in 2011.
You can see more from Krar Collective at this year's Roundhouse Rising; they're playing at Richmix in Shoreditch on 17 Feb.
Where is home for you?
Tottenham! Last year I went home to Ethiopia for the first time in 8 years. It was amazing, but London’s my home now.
What countries are top of your wish list to visit in 2012?
Finland, Germany Switzerland, and… the Isle of White, ha ha. Actually those are places where we’ll be playing in 2012.
How would you best describe your sound to someone who is new to your music?
Ethiopian traditional music with a rocky edge. Someone called us ‘the White Stripes of Ethiopia’ cos we just have drums and six strings.
Where is your favourite stage to play?
I’ve played twice in Koko Camden. It’s really cool, so glamorous looking and you feel the energy of the audience from the stage.
If you could headline any festival in the world, which one would you go for?
Wow, we’d love to play Womadaleaide – as that way we’d get to Australia!
Are there any unusual instruments you’d really like to learn how to play?
I think I’m already playing an unusual instrument! I also play masenqo (a fiddle with one string) and washint (Ethiopian flute) as well as keyboard.
Who or what are your biggest musical inspirations?
We love all the great Ethiopian legends like Mulatu Astatke, Mahmoud Ahmed, Telahun Gessese. Check them out! Lots of people know Mulatu’s music from the film ‘Broken Flowers’ by Jim Jarmusch.
Where in the world would you go for musical inspiration?
I would travel all around Ethiopia and collect songs from the different tribes and villages. We have over 80 languages in our country so I’d love to learn more about the different cultures.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals you have to do before you go on stage?
No, I just put on my traditional clothes, including a special cape called ‘kaba’ which people wear at weddings. We often start our set with a slow song of thanksgiving to God.
What are you looking forward to most in 2012?
We’re releasing our first album on Riverboat Records. It’s pretty exciting to know that it will be distributed around the world, wow.
If you could perform with anyone, alive or deceased, who would be your dream collaborator?
I’d like to sing one song with a special lady, Asnaketch Worku. She died in 2011, aged 77. She was playing krar back in the ‘60s when it was really unusual for a woman to do so. We sing one of her amazing songs called Endeyerusalem. Her music has been re-released on the Ethiopiques series.
Have you got any tips for other young people who want to get started in the music industry?
Find out if you have a talent and develop it. Then take your time. And you’ll probably need another job for a bit. I was a car mechanic when I was starting my musical career!
Who else are you excited to see at Roundhouse Rising 2012?
We had a lot of fun teaching some of our songs to the Roundhouse Experimental Choir. They were really good and learnt it quickly, so we’re looking forward to performing with them. I don’t know about any other choirs in the UK learning Ethiopian music!
What’s your best packing tip?
I have a handy way to pack my krar lyre. It’s just small enough to fit in my suitcase amongst my clothes, so it doesn’t get smashed up by those nasty baggage handlers! Well not yet anyway… it’s always a hassle for musicians taking instruments on budget flights.
Favourite food from around the world?
Injeera (Ethiopian bread) with spicy wat (a kind of stew) of course. We eat it with our hands by rolling the stew up in the injeera.
Has Krar Collective inspired you? We certainly learned a thing or two, and we’re looking forward to supporting the 2012 Roundhouse Rising! Get involved, and if you need any more info, just let us know via the comment thread.
