Vieux Farka Toure: You don't have to understand the lyrics to feel the power of the music
There are few music festivals in these areas that are as long-lived as Druga Godba. This festival has been held in Ljubljana at the end of May for 39 years, and since 1984 has hosted world-renowned names such as Cesaria Evora, Salif Keita, Tinariwen, The Roots, Youssou N'Dour, Pixies, Sons Of Kemet, Marc Ribot and many others. Druga Godba focuses on promoting world music, but is not bound to a specific framework and often brings musicians from other genres, and every year Ljubljana becomes the music center of the region and Europe for a few days.
It is the same this year, where the festival takes place from May 22 to 30 and brings several fantastic performers like Mariza, Meridian Brothers, Maria Mazzotta and Raul Refree, Sudan Archivec, BCUC and many others. As every year, we will see many interesting African artists at the Druga Godba, and the most famous among them is certainly Vieux Farka Toure.
Vieux's father Ali is one of the most important African musicians of all time, winner of the Grammy and numerous other awards, and the son has inherited his father's knowledge of guitar playing and beautiful singing. Like Ali, Vieux is best at what is called desert blues, and in the last year he has attracted a lot of attention with not one but two albums. One he recorded with American group Khruangbin and is a dedication to his father, and the second, "Les Racines," is definitely the best solo album of his career. Before coming to Slovenia, we had the opportunity to talk with Vieux Farka Toure.
After several albums released by you on different labels, the most famous of which is Six Degrees Records, last year you released the album "Les Racines" on the prestigious label World Circuit. Has anything changed in your career as a result of working with this label?
World Circuit Records was the label that released my father's most successful albums. So it was always my goal to release an album with them, and I felt very honored when they finally offered me a record deal. I feel like I am home now, and sometimes you have to leave home to discover yourself before you come back. They supported me in all my ideas during the production of "Les Racines," and I am very proud of the album. "Les Racines" is very well received all over the world.
On this album you collaborated with different musicians such as Amadou Bagayoko, Mamadou Sidiki Diabate or Madou Traore, and you have worked with many musicians before. Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with but have not yet?
I love reggae. I would love to do a reggae song with a big star like Alpha Blondy or Ziggy Marley. I also have some ideas for a fusion of American and Malian blues music. I am still looking for the right partner for this collaboration.
Because of your virtuoso guitar playing, some media once referred to you as 'Desert Hendrix'. What do you think of this nickname? Did you listen to Hendrix or do you have other musical role models?
I have gotten used to the nickname. If it helps people discover my music, that's fine. I like Jimi Hendrix, but I am more influenced by my dad, BB King and Muddy Waters.
There have long been many excellent guitarists from Mali and surrounding countries who combine traditional rhythms with blues and other guitar genres. Why is that, what connects West African music and the blues?
Music is a very important part of life in Mali. Music is everywhere. It's not only in concert halls or at festivals, but also on the streets and in people's homes, and I think it helps that we have so many great guitarists. Mali and West Africa are the original roots of the blues. From here, it went to America. We listened to American blues and it influenced us as well. My father loved John Lee Hooker.
I read somewhere that you started playing the guitar without your father knowing. How did he react when he realized you were playing guitar?
Yes, I first started as a drummer and then secretly started practicing guitar myself. When your father's name is Ali Farka Toure and you tell people you want to play guitar, it can be difficult. There are a lot of expectations, so I kept it a secret for a while. Eventually he found out and supported me. He taught me a song and told me to practice it until it was perfect. He was an excellent teacher. But he didn't want the music industry to take advantage of me. You know, my father never studied. He was brilliant, but he couldn't read or write. So at the beginning of his career, he was exploited. He was proud that I went to school and acquired knowledge so that his fate wouldn't repeat itself for me. Only then did he let me make music.
Your father is one of the most important African musicians of all time. What do you think of his career?
My father played the music he wanted to make, and people loved his music. I learned from my father that touring is hard. It's not easy being a musician, you have to be away from your family when you're on tour. My father taught me the importance of putting down roots and always helping the community. So I try to follow in his footsteps and do what I can for the people of Mali.
Last year you released the album "Ali" with the group Khruangbin. How did this collaboration come about and how satisfied are you with the album? How did you choose the songs for the album dedicated to your father?
My manager Eric Herman suggested the idea of collaborating with an American band that plays my father's music. Khruangbin was actually the first band he suggested. I saw them play in London and then met them. We all liked the idea, and then we went into the studio. I'm very happy with the album and I think I've gained a lot of new fans with it. I asked many different people what songs I should choose for the album. I asked my family, friends and my father's producer, Nick Gold. I wanted to choose songs that talked about issues that are really important and relevant today.
Khruangbin is one of the groups that builds its musical style on the influences of traditional music from all over the world and mixes it with other musical styles. What do you think about this mixing of different styles? Had you heard Khruangbin before the collaboration?
I think it's great to mix styles and take on different influences. I do the same with my music. I had heard Khruangbin before and liked their sound. They are also very nice people, which is the most important thing for a successful collaboration.
Why do you think African music is so well received around the world, even though many people do not understand the lyrics?
That's a good question. I think it's because of many different factors. Some people like melodies, others like syncopation and rhythm. Others hear the roots of blues, funk or other styles of music. I do not think people need to understand the lyrics to feel the power of the music.
Now you are coming to Slovenia for the festival Druga Godba. What can the audience expect from your performance?
I will come with my trio. Adam Kona on calabash drum and drums, Marshall Henry on bass guitar. I'll be playing a few of my dad's songs, but most of the concert will be my own material. I will be playing some acoustic songs and also some high energy songs so it will be fun. I am really looking forward to the festival!