Lakou Mizik may not sound familiar to U.S. ears, but the epic tragedy (2010 Haiti earthqauke) the band was formed in the wake of, will forever be recollected. Lakou Mizik is a diverse collection of musicians representing a cross section of generations, faiths and musical styles, that on April 1st released their debut album Wa Di Yo on the Cumbancha Discovery label, calling out to the world, Wa di yo, nou la toujou – “You tell them, we’re still here”!
One might remember the Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, a band from Sierra Leone which was formed by a group of refugees displaced to Guinea during the Sierra Leone Civil War, which later saw them performing in front of audiences in some of the most prestigious festivals and stages. Bands forming from the effects of disaster and tragedies isn’t anything new but Lakou ups the ante with its presentation. The nine members of Lakou Mizik range in age from late sixties to early twenties and come from across Haiti’s musical, social, religious, and geographic spectrum. Each has a powerful story and are united in a mission to honor the healing spirit of their collective culture and communicate a message of pride, strength and hope to their countrymen and world.
Formed originally by Steeve Valcourt, a guitarist and singer whose father is one of the country’s iconic musicians, along with singer Jonas Attis and American producer Zach Niles – they assembled a top notch collective of singers, rara horn players, drummers, guitarists and even an accordionist. After playing long shows in Haiti over a course of time to hone their chops as an ensemble, two veteran music producers joined the group to help create this debut: Chris Velan, a Montreal singer-songwriter and producer responsible for producing two albums for Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, and British producer Iestyn Polson, famed for his work with David Gray, David Bowie, Patti Smith and others.
The end result is a world album that can be categorized easily as one of the genre’s most accessible recordings, one that should be heard in dorm and living rooms as evidently as Bob Marley’s Legend. “Pick-me up music” might sound as cliche as an 80’s mix tape, but Lakou Mizik makes good with Wa Di Yo, a righteous recording of joyful rhythms, inspirational lyrics and a unique flavor that reflects the cultural stew of Haiti. We recently caught up Valcourt prior to their current U.S. tour kickoff to give us the lowdow on his band…
This must be an exciting time for you amidst a U.S. tour.Does Lakou Mizik rehearse at all or try to incorporate different songs or surprises for the cities you play?
Very exciting time for us! Really we still can’t believe that this whole project has led to this. We’re also just very proud to be able to represent Haiti – you know when you come from a small country like ours, anyone – musician, artist, writers, politicians we all become symbols to the world of the nation – so it is a real responsibility – but one that we’re happy to take on!
We are always trying out new music – it’s fun for us. We draw a lot from our traditional culture and there’s just so much depth there. Sanba Zao, the father of the band is like a archive of songs and always teaches us new ones. Sometimes we just remember an old song from our childhood – and someone will start singing and everyone will join as they remember it too. And also you have to imagine we are a band with at least four songwriters too – so we always try out new stuff. Sometimes the songs make their way to the set list – sometimes they are just things we sing for fun during soundcheck. Since we are new to the U.S. I don’t think anyone is sick of us our music yet – but we always want to keep it fresh.
Your debut album has been out for a couple months now. How do you feel it has caught on and what songs are you most fond of now that you’ve had a chance to listen back and perform them?
It doesn’t even seem real sometimes when our manager sends us reviews of the album from around the world. The other day we saw an article in a newspaper in Japan!! We don’t even know what it said but it was just too amazing. You can’t imagine how proud it makes us to think that this project that started in my basement studio in Port-au-prince is now being heard around the world.
We have always had a couple of crowd favorite songs – but as we listen back and take the songs on the road – there are a few that have started to shine more that we are proud of – “Wa Di Yo” (the album title), “Tanbou Frape” and “Pran Ka Mwen” feel great to play now.
Do you feel if Haiti music had a bigger figurehead like a Bob Marley or Fela Kuti it would have more mainstream appeal here in the states? What is the greatest misconception of Haiti music?
I think Haiti has always felt a little bit apart. Maybe because of the language. Especially for the U.S. it can be hard for us to break in. For us of course we have our own figureheads, but they never quite made the impact internationally. The only ones we can really look to on that level are groups like Boukman Eksperyans who certainly inspire us. At the same time… maybe the biggest misconception of Haitian music.. is that it can’t be appreciated at the same level as some of the big African or Jamaican bands. We plan to correct that misconception..
What are the challenges of a cross-generational band? What are the oldest and the youngest members and where do you most differentiate and where do most assimilate?
Honestly – we have only found opportunity and inspiration from each other no matter how young or old. The different generations have been seamless with each informing the other. Sanba Zao is our oldest member. He is a legend of Haitian Rasin music he may in his 60’s but his heart is so young and he is constantly teaching us new songs new rhythms. Our youngest is Nadine who grew up singing in the evangelical church. These two age opposites also come from the traditions that are furthest apart in some ways – Vodou and Evangelical Christian. But they are both spiritual forms of music with choral call and response. The assimilation has been mostly no problem, except that it took Nadine some getting used to singing these Vodou prayers. But now she’s at ease and appreciates it as part of her culture.
It said in the press release you guys earned a devoted local following. How does one earn a local following in a region that might not have the “concert” infrastructure other countries do like venues and everyone wired in to the web? Can you explain this traditional method as it sounds more rewarding?
Oh I don’t think it is so different from what I see. We play shows as much as we can and play as well as we can. We use Facebook and WhatsApp and we try to grow the audience. Right now we are one of a few groups exploring the roots music which I think makes us stand out. People need that. Whether they know it or not. Whats frustrating is that the music business can see a little bit like a mafia. With few people controlling all of it. May times it seems like band’s with money or bands playing an accepted style of music like Kompa have an easier chance. But we are fighting that and I think we see that we are winning that fight.
The nine members of Lakou each have a powerful story – mainly around the earthquake. Can you share one or two stories of triumph with our readers?
Anyone living in Port-au-Prince during that period can recount your stories. It was horrible beyond imagination. But I don’t want to talk for other people. Lets look more to the future. As our album title says – “Wa Di Yo – Nou La Toujou” – you tell them.. we’re still here!
Are you familiar with the Arcade Fire? One of the founders of the band is from Haiti and the band incorporated a lot of Haiti influences on their last album Reflektor.
Yes – I got to meet them once as they came to visit the school that I work at – the Artists Institute in Jacmel. Me personally, I love listening to how people form other cultures use Haitian sounds.
How is Haiti doing now and do you ever seeing it get back to where it once was prior to the earthquake?
I think this is a misconception many people have. I don’t think we Haitians really connect where Haiti is now as much different than before the earthquake. We have always been struggling for a better existence. The earthquake was an historic tragedy, but as a country we are looking forward and fighting for that. We want a better future and don’t want to have to compare that future to before or after the earthquake. And we all stay optimistic. We have a saying in Haiti – L’espwa fe lavi. Hope Creates life. That’s how we live.
