The Womadelaide Files (Part 1)

20 January 2009 by Max Easton

WOMAD has had a long standing as one of the world’s most recognised celebrations of world music. With WOMADelaide 2009 inches away from its kick off (from March 6th to 8th,) Soulshine is previewing the brightest and most interesting aspects of this very diverse line-up in The Womadelaide Files. Part One details the artists that you’ve likely never heard of before.

The line-up of Adelaide’s WOMAD festival can often be a complete and utter mystery. While well-known Australian acts sit atop the artist announcements, there’s often a whole host of names that bare nothing more than a ‘who?’ While names often fall on deaf ears, these artists are quite often artists at the height of their game, leaders in their traditional styles of music or people making new ground in splicing genres and innovating music. Part One of the Womadelaide Files combs through these names of mystery, compiling an intruiging list of artists for your benefit.

Aaron Choulai, Vada & The Tatana Villiage Choir
Raking together Papuan/Australian pianist Aaron Choulai, Melbourne jazz group Vada and the PNG-bred Tatana Villiage Choir (an all-female 16-strong group,) the three present a unique musical experience exclusive to Womadelaide 2009. Singing traditional ‘prophet songs,’ Aaron Choulai, et al pack the stage to capacity on Womad’s Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

The Black Jesus Experience
With jazz/funk rhythms and Ethiopian song, the Black Jesus Experience brings together horns, keys and traditional voice to produce a powerful musical presentation spanning Africa, New Zealand and Australia. The Black Jesus experience plays Womad on Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

Dengue Fever
The sensual Cambodian singer and dancer Chhom Nimol fronts this Cambodian pop inspired musical revue brought together by California’s Ethan and Zac Holtzmann. With sensual sounds and movements dominating their performance courtesy of the front-lady and swooning, psychedelic tunes swirling behind her, Dengue Fever are a band to be reckoned with. They play Womad on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Ego Lemos
He’s known as one of East Timor’s leading musicians, standing solo behind his guitar and singing in Timorian tongue, he’s spearheading a new push to enforce his indigenous music and language. Ego Lemos writes gorgeous songs, presents them with a haunting voice and strengthens it all with cleverly simple guitar. He plays Womad on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Mihirangi
Hailing from New Zealand, Mihirangi incorporates traditional roots and Maori instruments with one of music’s most inspiring electronic inventions; the loop pedal. Similar to Woodford’s favourite Mr. Percival, she creates densely layered songs live on stage using percussion, beat boxing, guitar and her own vocals. These musical creations range from ska rhythm to the traditional, to haunting harmonies. She plays Womad on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Rokia Traore
From Mali, Rokia Traore drags traditional West African song (from Mali) through the well-known blues-rock sound to create a fusion unlike any other. Playing only once at Womadelaide, she sings in native Malian tongue; clashing against the unfamiliar sound of her electric guitar. She plays her only show on Sunday night.

Sa Dingding
Combining Western electronic with traditional Chinese folk music, Sa Dingding fuses a whole host of complex sounds to form unique, layered masterpieces.  Her vocals chirp around violently, singing in Sanskrit (a classical Indian language,) she produces a unique machination of East-meets-West tunes. She plays on Friday and Saturday nights.

Seckou Keita SKQ
With Mamadou Diabate’s regular Australian tours, the Kora is no stranger to Australian shores. Widely known as the Hendrix of the Kora, Seckou Keita brings his own skills to the table. Playing innovative Kora lines alongside an eclectic 5-piece from across the globe, Seckou Keita SKQ produce a unique sound meshing gypsy backing with the traditional Kora sounds of southern Senegal.  They play Womad on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Ska Cubano
A distinctive sound merging the traditional sounds of Cuba and Jamaica, Ska Cubano produces elaborate, rhythm driven ska-mambo. London ska entrepreneur Natty Bo clashes heads with Cuban mambo singer Beny Billy to produce an upbeat catastrophe of groove and rhythm. Check them out on Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

Speed Caravan
Making his way to Womad from Algeria, Mehdi Haddab plugs in the traditional oud; an ancient, fretless lute re-invented with electronics. Playing in front of bass and drums, he brings the sound of traditional Arabic music to a new frontier, being described as having referenced The Cure and the Chemical Brothers. Speed Caravan can be seen playing Womad on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Of course, this isn’t a definitive list of what’s on at Womad this year, these are what we perceive to be the highlights. Take a peek at www.womadelaide.com.au for more information on the range of artists playing Womadelaide 2009.

Stay tuned to Soulshine for Part Two of the Womadelaide Files for a run-down of the local favourites making an appearance this year.

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