Winnielle Guilbert
SKNVibes.com
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| Nu Vybes launching at Press Conference |
{Basseterre; St Kitts}: As Carnival gets closer and closer, finally the bands have released their music on their latest albums. There are now five major bands in St. Kitts compared to the previous three bands, as dVybz and Akshun band have joined the scene.
SKNVibes decided to make the first move and interview these bands to find out what style they each have that sets them apart from one another and their views for this years Carnival.
They are referred to by many as the pride and joy of St Kitts. Nu-Vybes, for 2006-7 is pushing their songs, Punish and Big Drum, both written by lead vocalist of the band, Mr. Mention.
Mr. Mention said that Nu-Vybes is different because they create a balance between the rhythm and the music. He said that many bands have songs in which they put too much focus on the rhythm and little on the music therefore giving those songs where the listeners can only enjoy the chorus of the song as thats where the rhythm is.
Nu-Vybes music is enjoyable from start to finish and thats what makes us different, he said. ~~Adz:Left~~
Mr. Mention couldnt end the interview without thanking his fans. He expressed that this year was a trial and testing time, even to the point where he almost gave it up.
However, he had to become sensitized to the response of his fans; he claims fans cried to him, which was so overwhelming.
He couldnt believe that Nu-Vybes had become a part of their fans lives in where they couldnt fathom not having the Nu Vybes Band around. This amazement pushed him and his band to move forward and this is why this years album has so much depth because it was done for the fans who stayed by their side. Hence the album title For the People.
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| Small Axe Band |
My second interview was with Mr. World of Small Axe Band. Their goal is to definitely push the entire album. However, for road march, Dance De Masquerade is the tune they selected.
Mr. World said Small Axe is different because of the cultural, pulsating and unique beats.
Its here, its St Kitts, its like the drums during the slavery days, he said. We have powerful frontline vocals and they are very energetic and ecstatic which sets everything off and gets everyone involved very quickly making them dance immediately.
The popular Small Axe tune comes from our traditional Masquerades. St Kitts is known for its folklore. However, he felt it was on the brink of extinction because of the lack of involvement and passion so they decided to become topical and get everyone involved and they seem to be doing very well at it.
With this popular tune and pulsating rhythms, Dance De Masquerade has the young, the old and the sophisticated doing it. This band has managed to bring the term Hip to masquerade and everyone enjoys it.
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| Akshun Band |
One of the newest bands on the block is the Akshun Band whose songs for 2006 are Bounce and Go Down Deh. Band member Carvin said Akshun plays all sorts of music from many genres and the experience that all the band members bring is what sets them apart from the other bands.
Bounce is a jump-up and get-involved tune which promotes everyone doing the same dance tune, as well as Go Down Deh which is all about dancing, and more dancing because its Carnival.
When asked how they felt about Carnival and competing to win the Road March, Carvin said they came out to let everyone know they are here but next year he said confidently, We taking everything.
In speaking with Dvybz Band Leader, Steve Dublin a.k.a. Steba, he said their tunes were of Carnival
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| D'Vybz |
flavour. Songs like Turn it up, Hello and Natty Dread.
Hello speaks of when you have been longing for something and it finally comes and you say, Hello!Turn it Up is a road song which refers to turning up the rhythm and all the instruments to get everyone jiggy, and Natty Dread is for Rastas - if you have locks this song is dedicated to you to jump and jam.
Steba said Dvybz stands out because of their performance; they put much emphasis on this and presentation in order to get everyone involved along with the band.
Being just a month old this band needs the support and encouragement of their fans and thanks them for all the already welcoming support and says this will push them into bigger and better things beyond Carnival.
The only band with a horn section, brass and orchestra that play for all shows in the Federation is what makes Grand Masters different from the rest.
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| Grand Masters |
Grand Masters has three songs for Road March. Something For Something, simply meaning when you work hard you expect something in return. Up Deh is a party song singing of people that go on wild and wassy, throwing hands and getting on. And In De Dark is about those people who like to hide. Wingrove Hicks, band leader, said that when you go to a party those people that go right in the corner to jam its because they like to do their things in de dark and this song speaks to those in de dark people he laughingly said.
So now that youve heard it from the bands as they enlightened us on their aims and reasons for producing the music we love so much, which band will you be jamming behind for this years Carnival? Maybe most of us may take a liking to them all, but no matter what we prefer all the bands are special; they are all talented and they all need the support of fans to push them to be some of the best bands in the Caribbean.
