Interview with 2012 Rainforest World Music Festival Performer La Zikabilo

La Zikabilo
French band La Zikabilo is one of the world music acts that will be performing at the 2012 edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysian Borneo. They discuss their music and plans for the festival with World Music Central’s Angel Romero:

When and how was La Zikabilo formed?

In 2006, to play music in the street. Before that, some musicians were performing in Rutabaga.

What does La Zikabilo mean?

The music of little guys

What is the background of these musicians and what instruments do they play?

There are one accordionist, a drummer, a guitar player and vocalist, a trumpet player and lead vocalist, a saxophonist, and a bass tuba.

Tell us a little about the musicians that will be performing at the Rainforest World Music Festival.

Four of them came from the famous French band Rutabaga: Fabien the leader, André, Yohann and Thierry. Barbaro Teuntor Garcia came from Cuba: Buena Vista Social Club, Femi Kuti, Amadou and Myriam, P18 … etc. The bass tuba man, Sébastien Boyer, came from Uranus Brillant and plays American music in New Orleans.

Can you share some information about the program you’ll present at the Rainforest World Music Festival?

We’ll present our new album “Todos A La Mesa” with our new scenic creation.

Brass band seems to be more popular now. Why do you think there is an increased interest in brass bands?

Because the brass bands touch people more, it comes to them in the street, it’s next to them, and it’s great!

Tell us about the brass band tradition in France.

It’s from the south of the France but not really important in France. It comes more from the US.

Who can you cite as your main musical influences?

Cuban music, rock, tsigane (Gypsy), jazz

How does the composition process work?

It depends, no rules, just feeling.

If you could gather any musicians or musical groups to collaborate with whom would that be?

We collaborate often. We like that “the road creates the meetings”. For example Fanfara Lui Craciun (Gypsy), India Kawa Circus … all influences

Are you working on new projects?

A lot … Every time we’ve got new ideas.

Tickets to the Rainforest World Music Festival 2012 are available at the Visitors Information Centre (VIC) in Kuching and online at www.rwmf.net. The tickets are priced at RM110 for one-day pass and RM300 for three-day pass each for adult while tickets for children between three and 12 years old is priced at RM55 for one-day pass and RM150 for a three-day pass each.

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.

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