Interview with Kaïssa
Like I promised here is the interview with Kaïssa.
STP: Hi Kaïssa this is George from space-to-party in Singapore hows it going?
K: HI
STP: We give voice to Indie & Alternative music in South East Asia. Love your voice, its healing. Would like to ask you a few questions to get you better known among our music loving peers in this little red dot.
If you blend a cow with cucumber, times it by 1024062 multiply it by centrifugal gravity what would you get?
K: I think it could be this: ???#@)*^%FHJ$%^*()j ???*&^%$#???@)$$#@!:):):)…or maybe an unlucky cow?
2. The Unlucky Cow is a new answer, How would you describe the the sound & mission of your music?
I seriously cannot describe it, and I do not think I want to…Ultimately people will name and label it whatever they feel like anyway! I have heard it being described Afro-Pop, African Jazz, World, Afro- smooth and so on.
My music mission? When audience members tell me how touched, happier or moved they are after my performances, It is truly, humbling and exhilarating. My music reflects my life experiences, the state of the world today, my passions my dreams my joy my fears even. I sing about the condition of our world, if my lyrics can have a positive impact, than I consider I‘ve done something positive. You said that my voice is healing, when I hear that then I wonder…So that might be my mission!
3. Before you were you, you too were little. When you were 12 which song did you sing in the shower at the top of your voice?
Are you trying to figure out how old I am?:) In no particular order, I was singing these on top of my lungs and not only in the shower:
- Malaïka by Miriam Makeba
- Elimb’a Dikalo by Eboa Lotin
- We are the champions by Queen
- Shake your booty by K.C and the Sunshine band
- Love Hangover by Diana Ross
- Sweet Love by the Commodores
- Dream weaver by Gary Wright
- Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald
- If You Leave Me Now by Chicago
- Sing A Song by Earth, Wind and Fire
- I wish by Steve Wonder
- Lady by Fela Kuti
3. I will be checking out these tracks for sure. But tell me, do you still feel the love of music & that exhilaration when you as you had when you were starting out?
Even more! Cause now I really really understand, appreciate and know now, how lucky I am to do this. At the first place I am crazy to do this, but I would be crazier if I did not.
4. How do you see things differently after all these concerts, people & experiences.
Music is life, it is a great school, a learning experience. I get very serious about things that affect our world today, my lyrics are at times very “not subtle” direct and accusative. My travel experiences, working on my craft and collaborating with others taught me to get some more humor and that’s what I’m looking for, because if you get pompous, you lose everything. I think I am getting richer, I mean wiser!
5. Well if you ain’t getting wiser all the money is gonna drain away. So describe to us how music has changed your life?
Like so many artists, I found myself sometimes in some kind of state of emotional turmoil, feeling pressure from journalists fans and others, feeling pressure before a performance or while reading critics on my CD or after a show and so on. I have learned to be patient, to let things grow, to listen to let go! This changes your life because you are given options to see things from different points of view.
6. What effect has that has that had on you?
Music really calms me. Numerous times I had to perform feeling sick, sad, tired, lazy or just wanting to stay home. I love performing, entertaining, and I guess I entertain myself too, because I do not recall one time when I forced myself, dragged myself on stage I did not come out of it feeling regenerated and happy to be alive!
7. I have to say you are living your live to the fill. Who gave you your first break, what did you do to get it?
My brother Raymond. He is a bass player, he‘s been Miriam Makeba’s bandleader for more than 10 years and currently plays with Manu Dibango. I was singing my head and lungs off at home and following him to his gigs in Paris in the 80’s. He was performing with Alafia an international band in which Angélique Kidjo was one of the singers. And one day he came home saying, ok there a gig next week at La Chapelle Des Lombards, come to the rehearsal and you better learn these songs girl!
8. That is cool to have been introduced to music at such a young ag. Most of those names are completely unknown to me, (I need to do more research….) Who would you say is your biggest support?
My mother and my husband.
9. Tell us more about you relationship with putumayo music.
This is a long and very rich relationship. I met Dan Storper in 1996 when I moved to NYC from Paris. Right away I was captivated by his spirit of innovation and his genuine love of music. There were not even many venues in NYC of 1996 showcasing African music, the mainstream TV, radios, magazines very sparingly featured our music! And there is Putumayo, groundbreaking, innovative, offering a different sound to the American and world audience.
I am very thankful to Putumayo because by featuring my songs on five compilations Global Soul, World Reggae, Women of Africa, Women of the world acoustic and the latest one African Dreamland, my voice & my message has been heard around the world.
Most importantly Putumayo has contributed to many non-profits doing good work , that is tremendous!
10. In what ways does your voice for africa work with putumayo for the people of Africa?
I believe everyone can be and make a change. I performed last year for a gala event with Action Against Hunger, since then I have become more involved with the organization and became an advisory board member. My lyrics talk about the human condition, I speak out against war and injustice. Africa had and still has its share of that. Innocent people suffer daily from conditions that could and can be changed, eradicated. So yes music is also information and action.. I love to entertain, but I also want to use my voice to denounce/inform the things affecting our world today. I love life and I believe the human spirit is capable of so much and can do better things then what we are witnessing in Africa and many other parts of the world. Putumayo is giving us musicians a platform to do so.
11. Which is the song I must listen to from your new album.
I am working on a new album as we speak. My first album “Looking There” was released by Sony South Africa, I would encourage you to listen to Essimo. It is a song with a serious message, with a positive with an upbeat and happy groove.
12. Will we get to see you again in Asia?
My first and only trip in Asia was through Putumayo at the first Mosaic Festival in Singapore. This was an unforgettable moment, my band and I got to stay longer, visit and discover more of that rich culture. There is no tour in the plans to go to Asia, but I am looking forward to going back to perform and visit more countries!
13 . How would you like to be remembered as.
As a loving person, a good sister, daughter, wife and friend who tried to make a difference and left the world a better place than how she found it?
14. What are you gonna do next?
Travel to a warm place, and bake in the sun, the winter here in NYC is not ending…
