play the same music, different types of flutes, we blow
pipes and also play some bamboo and keyboard.
How long has your band been there for and how
did you all meet and get together?
music. So, I’ve been very blessed to learn from a number of
these. For me, decolonised music doesn’t mean getting rid of
all the colonial influences. We do have guitars, for instance.
We changed the dynamic and put the two together in equal
terms. Interaction gives birth to new sound and music.
We started in 2003 and we’ve been to major festivals
around the world. It’s our second time in Malaysia and
we’ve also been to Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan. Is this your first time at the festival?
All of us are from one village and are related
(brothers) and that’s how we got together. Do you have a message for readers in India?
Who writes your songs and what are the themes of your songs?
All of us in the band are songwriters and the songs are
about our culture and our lives back at home.
Where can one access your music online?
We have a website in the name Narasirato.
Any album releases on the cards?
WE have albums in the old name of Narasirato available
on CDs and at different festivals that we attend.
Tell us about the costume you wear for your performances
Our costumes are basically what our ancestors
wore and we just inherited for our shows.
Grace Nono- Philippines
Tell us about the genre of music you sing and your start as a musician
Genre… I wouldn’t even go there because genres tend
to limit but our performance today features repertoires
from the northern and southern parts of Philippines
and apart from that they feature sounds that represent
two responses to Philippines colonial experience.
We come from areas that have been directly colonised by
Spanish. Our sound is different but just because you’ve been
colonized doesn’t mean you accept it. It doesn’t mean that!
I have been trying to de-colonize my voice and music. From
singing just Spanish and American influenced music, I saw
teachers who could teach me some chants. A lot of them are
healers from my country because of my interest in spiritual
It is our first time here!
Music is powerful! A lot of the music we hear is played,
for certain capitalist’s interest. Let’s not forget that
there is music also coming from our histories, and
souls. The power of music can be used to heal mental
damage. Music has good energies and good vibes!
Dona Onete- Brazil
Where do you come from and what’s special about the place?
I come from the Brazilian amazon where the vibes are
very similar to what we saw at Rainforest Festival.
How long have you been performing for?
Since forever! Professional, I have been
performing since I was 8 years old.
Do musicians that you work with come from
the similar background as you?
All of them are from the same city (ParWa) that I come from
and we have a unique accent and a way to play. In the state
of Para, we make unique Brazilian music and it’s absolutely
different from other forms of music in the country.
Is this your first time at the festival?
Yes, it’s my first time and I’m going to
make the audience dance away!
Any new album releases?
Yes, I’m going to release my third album once I am back in Brazil.
Photo Courtesy: Andy Kho ( andykho.com )
The
Score Magazine
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