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1
00:01:48,830 --> 00:01:50,230
I'll make some more coffee.
2
00:02:32,510 --> 00:02:35,550
That's why I was on the Computer,
I was waiting to
3
00:02:35,790 --> 00:02:41,910
talk to Maciek,
we had a 9 o'clock Skypechat,
4
00:02:42,350 --> 00:02:44,590
about going to Africa.
5
00:02:44,710 --> 00:02:48,830
we were supposed to go to Mali together
and we decided to go to Timbuktu,
6
00:02:48,990 --> 00:02:50,870
and then...
7
00:02:51,630 --> 00:02:56,910
lately, he was like "I don't know
if I really want to go to Mali anymore"
8
00:02:58,630 --> 00:03:01,230
Why? Because things are still weird?
9
00:03:01,350 --> 00:03:04,710
Yeah,
because people got killed in Bamako...
10
00:03:05,070 --> 00:03:11,790
I don't know, I think Mali is fine,
as long as you don't go to the Nightclubs.
11
00:03:13,550 --> 00:03:15,550
I thought it was save?
12
00:03:15,750 --> 00:03:19,270
I mean, nothing is really ever save, but...
13
00:03:19,950 --> 00:03:23,190
yeah Bamako typically is save, but...
-I want a knife.
14
00:03:24,030 --> 00:03:27,910
You want a knife?
-No I'm good.
15
00:03:50,830 --> 00:03:53,270
Mark me down for 46 "Balani".
16
00:03:56,350 --> 00:03:59,310
I got three "Saharan Cellphones Part II".
17
00:04:00,710 --> 00:04:04,550
These are mine, these "Takamba"
and "Alkibar". Oh, these are yours!
18
00:04:04,750 --> 00:04:06,630
-The "Laila"?
-Yes. So there are four of those.
19
00:04:08,550 --> 00:04:11,310
I got a lot of this "Harafinso" record.
20
00:04:12,670 --> 00:04:15,590
That's the only record you guys
ever put out, either of you,
21
00:04:15,790 --> 00:04:17,750
that I just don't like.
22
00:04:18,150 --> 00:04:19,710
Even the "robot-music"?
23
00:04:19,910 --> 00:04:23,110
You don't like the little
autotune, robotic sounds?
24
00:04:23,310 --> 00:04:25,950
I think there's one song,
one song that's okay.
25
00:04:26,590 --> 00:04:28,350
But it kind of bums me out.
26
00:04:29,310 --> 00:04:31,510
I feel like that record just...
27
00:04:32,230 --> 00:04:35,430
People really like it more in
northern Nigeria than anywhere else,
28
00:04:35,590 --> 00:04:39,110
there's a reason it's regional.
29
00:04:39,990 --> 00:04:42,350
Alright...there's one,
30
00:04:43,150 --> 00:04:44,310
so it's 46.
31
00:04:47,750 --> 00:04:51,430
There's one of three, so 53.
32
00:04:52,990 --> 00:04:56,070
The harsh toke is that,
if you're going to do good work,
33
00:04:56,270 --> 00:04:58,230
if the odds are good,
that you won't make money.
34
00:04:58,390 --> 00:05:00,750
If you want to make money,
you have to do shitty work,
35
00:05:00,950 --> 00:05:02,910
or screw someone over,
36
00:05:03,030 --> 00:05:05,790
or do something terrible.
Somebody has to die,
37
00:05:05,950 --> 00:05:09,110
some blood has to be shed,
in order for you to profit.
38
00:05:09,270 --> 00:05:11,310
That's just the way of the world,
39
00:05:11,470 --> 00:05:14,030
like "Diamonds on the soles of her shoes".
40
00:05:14,750 --> 00:05:16,590
It's just…that's the way of the world.
41
00:05:17,310 --> 00:05:19,510
To be unsuccessful is noble,
42
00:05:19,750 --> 00:05:23,470
to be broke is noble, as far as I can tell.
43
00:05:23,710 --> 00:05:26,590
I could be wrong about this, but...
44
00:05:27,110 --> 00:05:28,270
I hope I'm not.
45
00:05:28,470 --> 00:05:31,990
Never keep any money on your bank account
and always turn it into new records.
46
00:05:32,150 --> 00:05:34,326
Right now I've just written
a bunch of checks
47
00:05:34,351 --> 00:05:36,214
and then I looked
at my bank account,
48
00:05:36,590 --> 00:05:39,950
well, "as long as you don't cash it in
today and wait till tomorrow…"
49
00:05:40,110 --> 00:05:42,667
Because I tried to put
as much in production as I can,
50
00:05:42,692 --> 00:05:44,394
like everything, everything I have.
51
00:05:44,470 --> 00:05:46,387
I don't want any money
ever in my bank account.
52
00:05:46,412 --> 00:05:48,214
Yeah, never keep money
in your bank account
53
00:05:48,250 --> 00:05:51,250
is the number one rule
of surviving all this business.
54
00:05:51,670 --> 00:05:55,670
And no fear, just assume everything
is going to work out magically somehow
55
00:05:55,830 --> 00:05:56,950
and then it will be fine.
56
00:06:21,350 --> 00:06:22,830
I like this song.
57
00:06:37,710 --> 00:06:40,310
If I had an example of somebody doing this
58
00:06:40,510 --> 00:06:44,470
and really making a living from it,
it would be easier.
59
00:06:45,670 --> 00:06:49,790
And doing
like a record label professionally and...
60
00:06:51,310 --> 00:06:55,550
that's okay. But I know if I start
having a family that I'm supporting to,
61
00:06:55,830 --> 00:06:58,710
that I might make these decisions, that
62
00:06:59,230 --> 00:07:02,630
I need to make more
and I'm paying the musicians less.
63
00:07:02,710 --> 00:07:06,230
And I don't want to become one of those
old-school-world-music-label-guys,
64
00:07:06,710 --> 00:07:10,830
in those big institutional,
exploitative industries.
65
00:07:11,030 --> 00:07:13,910
That's not the model I want to be on.
66
00:07:30,150 --> 00:07:33,590
I think that I've continued
to keep doing this, because
67
00:07:34,070 --> 00:07:37,030
every year
things seem to be getting better.
68
00:07:37,390 --> 00:07:42,190
Not from a financial standpoint, but
from a publicity standpoint, from press.
69
00:07:42,350 --> 00:07:44,390
The label is been getting
more attention every year,
70
00:07:44,510 --> 00:07:48,230
we are doing more interviews,
more opportunities.
71
00:07:49,750 --> 00:07:54,790
And as those things keep happening,
I've sort of reluctantly kept on.
72
00:07:54,990 --> 00:07:58,880
Every year there has been
a moment where I said,
73
00:07:58,905 --> 00:08:03,134
"Okay, I'm going to just
quit doing this and get a job",
74
00:08:03,910 --> 00:08:07,990
but I've held on
because of these little successes,
75
00:08:08,150 --> 00:08:11,230
not big successes, but little ones.
76
00:08:21,630 --> 00:08:26,110
Yeah, we got Chris Kirkley, Sahel Sounds,
stepping up for the mix - Sahel Sounds!
77
00:12:57,870 --> 00:12:59,110
It's warm.
78
00:13:04,510 --> 00:13:07,230
Are you Hama? -Yes.
Okay, you're Hama.
79
00:13:08,270 --> 00:13:10,030
I've searched for you for ages.
80
00:13:10,190 --> 00:13:12,830
People in Agadez told me
your name is "Japonais"?
81
00:13:12,990 --> 00:13:15,230
No, they don't know who I am...
82
00:13:15,390 --> 00:13:17,470
They use the name "Japonais Sosa".
83
00:13:17,630 --> 00:13:20,910
Yes, but they don't know it's me.
But it's me.
84
00:13:21,510 --> 00:13:24,030
It's you!
-I'm the only one who does this.
85
00:13:25,710 --> 00:13:29,510
What do you play with? Which piano?
-Yamaha.
86
00:13:29,670 --> 00:13:31,030
Yamaha?
87
00:13:31,190 --> 00:13:34,270
It's a Yamaha that I use
88
00:13:36,070 --> 00:13:37,670
for composing beats.
89
00:13:37,830 --> 00:13:38,710
I see.
90
00:13:39,070 --> 00:13:41,670
I've been looking for you since 2012.
91
00:13:41,830 --> 00:13:44,830
Right.
-I discovered your music on a bus.
92
00:13:45,430 --> 00:13:50,270
I was leaving Gao
right when the rebellion started,
93
00:13:50,430 --> 00:13:54,190
I was on my way to Niamey and I heard
your music on the bus, on a cell phone.
94
00:13:54,350 --> 00:13:56,190
It's similar to Ethiopian music.
95
00:13:56,350 --> 00:13:59,670
People think
it's either Ethiopian or Arabic, or...
96
00:13:59,830 --> 00:14:02,630
I thought it was
someone from Tamanrasset.
97
00:14:02,790 --> 00:14:05,590
So I called Tamanrasset,
then I called Agadez...
98
00:14:05,750 --> 00:14:07,430
Since 2012!
99
00:14:07,590 --> 00:14:09,070
That's a long time.
100
00:14:09,430 --> 00:14:11,670
I'm working right now...
-You are?
101
00:14:11,830 --> 00:14:13,790
Yes, I leave at 7 pm.
102
00:14:13,950 --> 00:14:15,430
7 pm. OK.
-7 pm, 7:30 pm.
103
00:14:15,790 --> 00:14:18,790
Maybe we call you later this evening?
-Sure.
104
00:14:19,150 --> 00:14:21,110
When you're ready, give me a call.
105
00:14:21,270 --> 00:14:23,190
I will get the piano ready.
106
00:14:23,350 --> 00:14:25,950
When you come you can listen.
-That's good.
107
00:14:26,910 --> 00:14:30,070
Great.
-Cool. I'll take your number as well.
108
00:14:31,470 --> 00:14:33,790
My name is Christopher.
-Christopher.
109
00:14:34,150 --> 00:14:35,590
It's Hama?
110
00:14:37,110 --> 00:14:39,030
H-A-M-A.
-Yes.
111
00:14:39,190 --> 00:14:41,070
Like this?
-Yes, like this.
112
00:14:41,430 --> 00:14:42,710
P.
113
00:14:44,190 --> 00:14:46,190
P for...
-P for "piano".
114
00:14:46,350 --> 00:14:48,510
So that you know...
115
00:14:50,750 --> 00:14:53,830
It's good to wear this,
it will protect you from the sun.
116
00:14:53,990 --> 00:14:56,590
I don't have much hair left anyways...
117
00:14:56,750 --> 00:14:59,910
No no, that is...
-I will get as red as this.
118
00:15:01,590 --> 00:15:03,110
That's for sure.
119
00:15:03,910 --> 00:15:07,350
In the States you have a lot of snow.
120
00:15:08,310 --> 00:15:11,310
But here there is no snow,
we have volcanoes.
121
00:15:12,150 --> 00:15:13,630
Yeah, it's like that.
122
00:15:13,790 --> 00:15:15,830
OK, I don't want to keep you. Thanks.
123
00:15:15,990 --> 00:15:18,270
Thank you very much.
-Have a nice day.
124
00:15:25,590 --> 00:15:28,590
What's up?
Niamey is a lake instead of a city.
125
00:15:28,750 --> 00:15:31,270
There's water everywhere, it's weird.
126
00:15:31,430 --> 00:15:35,310
We're going to go to Agadez.
There's no water there, right?
127
00:15:35,470 --> 00:15:36,950
It's the desert, right?
128
00:15:37,510 --> 00:15:40,990
That's good. I hate this lake here.
129
00:15:41,830 --> 00:15:43,110
It's not good.
130
00:15:43,710 --> 00:15:47,270
OK, let's do that. I'll call you soon.
131
00:15:48,470 --> 00:15:53,630
CENTER FOR MUSIC EDUCATION
AND MUSICAL PROMOTION
132
00:16:00,190 --> 00:16:01,870
Ah, there it is. "Azna".
133
00:16:06,510 --> 00:16:10,510
I can't say why I'm doing this
it's continued, it's moved along
134
00:16:10,750 --> 00:16:13,390
and I keep finding things,
I keep finding music.
135
00:16:13,630 --> 00:16:16,854
Every trip that I come,
you focus on a few different projects
136
00:16:16,879 --> 00:16:19,054
that you've been looking for,
137
00:16:19,550 --> 00:16:24,070
but then you hear
just a little bit of something else,
138
00:16:24,270 --> 00:16:28,910
you write that down, you get back home
and start researching that
139
00:16:29,270 --> 00:16:32,190
and then that becomes the project, so...
140
00:16:33,470 --> 00:16:40,070
there are so many things here, that I think
that's what keeps me working.
141
00:16:41,070 --> 00:16:44,430
Is it him who sings like this?
-Yes, it's "Mona".
142
00:16:47,350 --> 00:16:52,590
I was going through the cassettes
and I found one called "Azna de L'Ader".
143
00:16:53,030 --> 00:16:55,430
That's the name of his group
and I listened to it
144
00:16:55,670 --> 00:17:00,670
and it had a bunch of these shredding,
really wild electric guitar solos
145
00:17:00,950 --> 00:17:03,630
and it was really short,
it was just a few songs.
146
00:17:04,030 --> 00:17:07,140
I asked someone about it
and they explained to me,
147
00:17:07,165 --> 00:17:10,334
that it was this guy, Mona,
a guitarist from Tahoua
148
00:17:11,670 --> 00:17:15,350
and he's called the "Jimi Hendrix of Niger"
149
00:17:15,790 --> 00:17:17,710
and he used to
play the guitar with his teeth.
150
00:17:17,950 --> 00:17:20,710
That was the thing
that people knew about Mona.
151
00:18:40,630 --> 00:18:44,990
Like Jimi Hendrix,
that's what grabbed me... Look!
152
00:19:02,750 --> 00:19:05,950
Crazy. Have you seen
the film about Jimi Hendrix?
153
00:19:15,990 --> 00:19:18,710
Did you film this?
-Yes, that was me.
154
00:19:19,390 --> 00:19:22,630
It's good.
Can we go and see him as well?
155
00:19:22,790 --> 00:19:25,990
He had only sung one song
when we arrived
156
00:19:26,150 --> 00:19:28,550
and it was like seeing Jimi Hendrix.
157
00:19:29,110 --> 00:19:32,270
He took the guitar,
he played it, he moved it...
158
00:19:37,350 --> 00:19:43,870
I guess I'm interested in him, because I'm
always interested in music that stands out,
159
00:19:44,110 --> 00:19:48,640
whether it's something now,
that people are making today,
160
00:19:48,665 --> 00:19:51,854
or that stands out in the past.
161
00:19:52,030 --> 00:19:54,764
I'm interested
in hearing what did they do?
162
00:19:54,789 --> 00:19:58,454
They are a supergroup,
they are known everywhere in Niger.
163
00:19:58,670 --> 00:20:06,670
Now I'm looking for more of their music
to see what is it that made them so special.
164
00:20:07,030 --> 00:20:10,830
TAHOUA RADIO STATION
165
00:20:21,870 --> 00:20:26,110
Maybe we could go to the radio station
to see if you have any old music?
166
00:20:26,270 --> 00:20:27,270
Old music?
167
00:20:27,430 --> 00:20:29,190
He never recorded a full album,
168
00:20:29,350 --> 00:20:31,990
so there might be
something on the radio?
169
00:20:36,950 --> 00:20:42,110
You have a lot of things here.
-Yes, that's our sound library.
170
00:20:43,430 --> 00:20:46,590
It contains music dating back to 1974.
171
00:20:47,750 --> 00:20:50,910
Can I help maybe?
-Yes, of course, you're welcome.
172
00:20:55,390 --> 00:20:57,150
Unbelievable.
173
00:20:59,030 --> 00:21:01,230
That's real treasure here...
174
00:21:07,510 --> 00:21:11,190
It's wild, there is so much music here.
175
00:21:25,550 --> 00:21:27,390
Hey Abdoullaye, it's here!
176
00:21:27,750 --> 00:21:30,510
"Mona"!
-Yes. Where did you find it?
177
00:21:44,590 --> 00:21:46,310
That's "play", here.
178
00:21:46,470 --> 00:21:48,790
Like this.
-Yes.
179
00:21:49,150 --> 00:21:50,630
"Stop".
-"Stop", OK.
180
00:21:50,790 --> 00:21:54,550
Hold it here and let it...
-OK, it's fine.
181
00:21:54,710 --> 00:21:57,430
We're going to eat, we'll be back soon.
-OK.
182
00:22:01,630 --> 00:22:05,310
It's like a ribbon,
you could wrap a present with this.
183
00:22:06,790 --> 00:22:10,110
How did it get like this?
This is really insane.
184
00:22:23,870 --> 00:22:27,590
You have to put it in context of...
185
00:22:30,750 --> 00:22:35,750
digitizing old recordings for preservation,
186
00:22:36,870 --> 00:22:39,030
that really is not the priority here
187
00:22:39,270 --> 00:22:42,910
and I don't even know
if that should be the priority.
188
00:22:44,070 --> 00:22:47,590
It's a luxury thing to say…
it's even a privilege to say,
189
00:22:47,950 --> 00:22:51,910
we're going to digitize
and preserve cultural artifacts
190
00:22:52,110 --> 00:22:58,510
when a lot of people are concerned
about health or family or food.
191
00:22:59,230 --> 00:23:03,070
There are more pressing concerns then
192
00:23:03,390 --> 00:23:07,310
putting you're time into
a rock band from Tahoua
193
00:23:07,335 --> 00:23:10,774
from the 70s.
Should that take a priority?
194
00:23:12,670 --> 00:23:14,390
Ah, that's it?
-Yes.
195
00:23:14,550 --> 00:23:17,630
This does everything you hear.
196
00:23:25,230 --> 00:23:27,710
Is it fine if I record a bit?
-Yes, sure.
197
00:25:23,950 --> 00:25:26,470
Was that good?
-It's top-notch, brilliant!
198
00:25:26,630 --> 00:25:29,990
Really?
-Yes, I've listened to this for ages.
199
00:25:30,150 --> 00:25:32,230
Have you?
-Yes, very often.
200
00:25:32,830 --> 00:25:35,590
I DJ'ed this song
in front of huge crowds.
201
00:25:35,750 --> 00:25:39,630
Really?
-Yes, your music is listened to lots.
202
00:25:39,790 --> 00:25:41,670
People really like it here.
203
00:25:42,750 --> 00:25:46,070
Even in the States they love it.
-People love it here.
204
00:25:47,030 --> 00:25:50,350
I'm often asked to play at weddings,
205
00:25:50,910 --> 00:25:54,030
at ceremonies, all that...
206
00:25:54,870 --> 00:25:58,870
You play at weddings?
-Yes, you should see the people there...
207
00:25:59,550 --> 00:26:00,550
It's insane!
208
00:26:00,710 --> 00:26:05,390
I have to say it's the first time
that I hear Tuareg music
209
00:26:05,550 --> 00:26:07,790
played with a keyboard like this.
210
00:26:08,150 --> 00:26:10,350
Since I started working here,
211
00:26:10,910 --> 00:26:14,030
I don't have time
to play at weddings anymore.
212
00:26:14,590 --> 00:26:16,670
I mean, I get offers,
213
00:26:16,830 --> 00:26:19,350
but unless it's at the weekend...
214
00:26:20,310 --> 00:26:24,430
when I know I don't have to work
I can do something.
215
00:26:24,590 --> 00:26:27,070
But at the moment I work on weekdays.
216
00:26:27,430 --> 00:26:29,710
I'm a chauffeur.
-A chauffeur...
217
00:26:29,870 --> 00:26:31,710
A driver.
-A car driver?
218
00:26:31,870 --> 00:26:33,030
Yes, a car driver.
219
00:26:33,390 --> 00:26:36,670
With this
I can make a living for my family.
220
00:26:37,230 --> 00:26:40,430
I have a wife and two kids, two boys.
221
00:26:41,670 --> 00:26:43,590
You have to keep going...
222
00:26:44,510 --> 00:26:47,750
I want to explain a bit
why I'm actually here,
223
00:26:47,910 --> 00:26:51,670
because I haven't said anything
about what I do.
224
00:26:52,350 --> 00:26:55,350
In fact, my project...
225
00:26:55,510 --> 00:26:58,310
I run a project
about music in the Sahel,
226
00:26:58,470 --> 00:27:00,190
it's called "Sahel Sounds".
227
00:27:01,110 --> 00:27:03,950
And since 2009-2010
228
00:27:04,110 --> 00:27:08,110
I've been here in Mali,
Senegal, Mauritania, Niger,
229
00:27:08,870 --> 00:27:10,510
and I'm looking for artists.
230
00:27:10,670 --> 00:27:12,950
I make recordings and I have a website.
231
00:27:13,510 --> 00:27:16,670
I interview the artists,
I take pictures,
232
00:27:16,830 --> 00:27:19,870
I make little clips
and I write about the music.
233
00:27:20,430 --> 00:27:22,510
And I also produce the artists.
234
00:27:22,670 --> 00:27:24,070
I have a music label,
235
00:27:24,230 --> 00:27:28,270
so if I find someone,
among the artists that I get to know,
236
00:27:28,430 --> 00:27:32,190
who interests me
and who I think I could work with,
237
00:27:32,350 --> 00:27:34,830
I release the music commercially
238
00:27:35,390 --> 00:27:37,070
all over the world.
239
00:27:37,230 --> 00:27:41,350
But it's not a big release,
it's on vinyl discs.
240
00:27:41,510 --> 00:27:42,830
You know vinyl?
-Yes.
241
00:27:42,990 --> 00:27:44,230
So, I produce these.
242
00:27:45,190 --> 00:27:49,030
And I was looking for you
because I want to work with you.
243
00:27:49,590 --> 00:27:53,230
I would like to produce this album
that I found.
244
00:27:53,830 --> 00:27:56,230
Just so you know,
it's not something
245
00:27:56,590 --> 00:27:58,270
with a lot of money.
246
00:27:58,430 --> 00:28:02,710
Like I work on it, I do the split.
I take 50% of what I make, you get 50%.
247
00:28:03,070 --> 00:28:05,350
I understand.
-That's the split.
248
00:28:05,510 --> 00:28:07,150
It's fine, that's normal.
249
00:28:07,310 --> 00:28:10,390
But I hope this is something
that will continue,
250
00:28:10,550 --> 00:28:13,350
and that we can make
something out of it.
251
00:28:14,110 --> 00:28:18,510
What's important to me
is that everything is very clear,
252
00:28:19,910 --> 00:28:22,750
that there is trust and it's all clear.
253
00:28:22,910 --> 00:28:25,950
Any question you have you can ask me,
254
00:28:26,110 --> 00:28:30,150
because I want to do this
so that we're both...
255
00:28:30,870 --> 00:28:34,070
the two of us are satisfied,
that's what I want.
256
00:28:35,910 --> 00:28:38,070
If that's fine, let's do it like this.
257
00:28:38,230 --> 00:28:41,270
I will come back after Agadez
and we can talk again.
258
00:28:41,630 --> 00:28:43,230
OK. No problem.
259
00:28:44,870 --> 00:28:46,390
That's all for today, right?
260
00:28:46,550 --> 00:28:48,390
Yes, that's fine. We can rest.
261
00:28:49,230 --> 00:28:52,710
It's night time
and you just finished your work.
262
00:28:56,190 --> 00:28:59,470
Do you want to drink some water?
-Yes, please.
263
00:29:04,510 --> 00:29:05,830
Thanks.
264
00:29:09,030 --> 00:29:12,550
None of this was planned and there it is.
265
00:29:12,790 --> 00:29:16,510
That's why
you have to embrace the deviations,
266
00:29:16,670 --> 00:29:21,063
when something doesn't work out
and something else happens,
267
00:29:21,088 --> 00:29:23,234
you have to run with it.
268
00:30:46,390 --> 00:30:50,990
When I was in college,
I was in my final year and I started...
269
00:30:51,270 --> 00:30:54,230
I didn't really care about it anymore.
270
00:30:54,630 --> 00:30:58,790
I think I spent too much time hanging out
with my friends, who where philosophy majors
271
00:30:59,070 --> 00:31:02,670
and going camping and I didn't really...
272
00:31:02,950 --> 00:31:06,830
We just spent a lot of time discussing
politics and dropping of the grid,
273
00:31:07,110 --> 00:31:11,990
the capitalist system
and "Corporate America".
274
00:31:13,590 --> 00:31:17,670
So I wanted to take off right after college
275
00:31:18,030 --> 00:31:22,550
and travel, but I didn't have the money.
I had a lot of college debts.
276
00:31:23,230 --> 00:31:27,845
And I also thought - man, I put in
all this time getting this degree,
277
00:31:27,870 --> 00:31:30,494
I should go get a job.
278
00:31:31,910 --> 00:31:36,630
So I did. I got a job, I moved to Seattle,
279
00:31:37,350 --> 00:31:40,401
I got an expensive apartment,
I went to IKEA and
280
00:31:40,426 --> 00:31:43,414
bought all this shit
to put in the apartment...
281
00:31:44,110 --> 00:31:49,950
And I felt sort of
like the protagonist of "Fight Club".
282
00:31:50,350 --> 00:31:55,830
One day I went home and the building
next door had burnt down and I thought...
283
00:31:56,270 --> 00:32:00,430
I don't know if you remember that scene?
But yeah, it seemed like...
284
00:32:00,870 --> 00:32:06,550
One time I was on the phone with IKEA
trying to order a specific toothbrush holder
285
00:32:06,870 --> 00:32:10,270
that came in chrome,
and I thought what the fuck am I doing?
286
00:32:10,510 --> 00:32:12,310
This is ridiculous!
287
00:32:12,510 --> 00:32:15,630
So I made this commitment
to myself at that time,
288
00:32:15,870 --> 00:32:19,990
I'm going to save up money until
I have enough to pay of my loans
289
00:32:20,430 --> 00:32:23,070
and then I'm going to take off and travel.
290
00:33:36,990 --> 00:33:39,110
It's good. Do you want some?
291
00:35:39,110 --> 00:35:43,390
When I started playing guitar
it wasn't something that I liked,
292
00:35:43,550 --> 00:35:44,910
but I had to play,
293
00:35:45,510 --> 00:35:49,190
because I was invited
to play at ceremonies all the time.
294
00:35:50,350 --> 00:35:51,550
It became my destiny,
295
00:35:51,710 --> 00:35:54,590
none of my girlfriends
or any other women play guitar.
296
00:35:58,670 --> 00:36:04,510
If other women did
I would be more courageous to do so...
297
00:36:06,070 --> 00:36:08,710
...and I wouldn't be so afraid either.
298
00:36:08,870 --> 00:36:11,190
That's why I love playing "Tende"...
299
00:36:13,350 --> 00:36:17,630
...and singing without being worried
about anything.
300
00:36:19,630 --> 00:36:22,910
I want to have girlfriends
who play guitar...
301
00:36:25,030 --> 00:36:28,630
...so we can play together
and be successful together.
302
00:40:36,910 --> 00:40:39,190
Those are some very green shoes.
303
00:40:41,270 --> 00:40:42,990
Everyone is wearing fluorescent now,
304
00:40:43,350 --> 00:40:44,830
in the US it's like...
305
00:40:45,990 --> 00:40:52,270
Neon shoes! I didn't know
people wearing them here, too.
306
00:40:54,150 --> 00:40:55,430
Is it bad?
307
00:40:55,590 --> 00:40:57,310
No it's cool, it's like the new look,
308
00:40:57,710 --> 00:40:59,670
really bright colored shoes.
309
00:41:13,110 --> 00:41:16,470
I think it was a good in
with musicians, too.
310
00:41:16,830 --> 00:41:18,590
Like showing up with a guitar
311
00:41:20,070 --> 00:41:26,030
to play music together, rather than…
I never showed up to record.
312
00:41:26,230 --> 00:41:30,830
It wasn't like "Hey, I'm here,
you've got a hot band I want to record".
313
00:41:31,030 --> 00:41:34,470
It's like, "Hey I heard there's
a guitarist here, I also have a guitar".
314
00:41:36,470 --> 00:41:41,550
Yeah, it was more like "Oh cool,
you're also an artist, we're the same",
315
00:41:41,710 --> 00:41:45,470
no matter where we're from,
you're an artist, I'm an artist.
316
00:41:47,470 --> 00:41:50,750
I started playing the guitar
when I was a teenager,
317
00:41:51,310 --> 00:41:56,990
when I was 14 years old.
318
00:41:57,790 --> 00:42:01,070
I am playing with a musician
called "Mdou Moctar".
319
00:42:02,990 --> 00:42:06,590
We've been working together since 2010
320
00:42:07,310 --> 00:42:10,030
and I play rhythm guitar for him.
321
00:44:18,910 --> 00:44:25,590
In Niger recordings don't have a problem
getting anywhere,
322
00:44:26,230 --> 00:44:29,030
because everything
works with Bluetooth.
323
00:44:29,190 --> 00:44:31,790
As the connection is very weak,
324
00:44:32,750 --> 00:44:37,430
Bluetooth works
better than the Internet here.
325
00:44:38,070 --> 00:44:40,590
If you record something
and send it to one person,
326
00:44:40,750 --> 00:44:44,350
they'll send it to someone else
and that happens again and again
327
00:44:44,510 --> 00:44:45,790
until it's everywhere.
328
00:44:45,950 --> 00:44:48,310
You hear it somewhere
and it's surprising.
329
00:44:48,470 --> 00:44:51,230
You ask,
"When did this song reach here?"
330
00:45:12,190 --> 00:45:14,790
We play with this one in Europe.
331
00:45:15,350 --> 00:45:18,670
You have to have this in Europe
332
00:45:18,830 --> 00:45:21,910
because when there are drums,
everyone...
333
00:45:22,070 --> 00:45:25,190
Everyone has their own cymbals.
334
00:45:25,550 --> 00:45:28,870
You find the drums without cymbals,
335
00:45:29,030 --> 00:45:32,950
because every drummer
has the cymbals he prefers.
336
00:45:33,110 --> 00:45:34,590
Yes, that's right.
337
00:45:35,670 --> 00:45:39,710
They asked us,
"Which amplifier do you prefer?"
338
00:45:39,870 --> 00:45:42,310
And I said,
"They're all the same to me."
339
00:45:42,470 --> 00:45:44,470
No matter which one you find...
340
00:45:44,630 --> 00:45:47,510
Because all of them are fine, you know.
-Yes, yes.
341
00:45:49,510 --> 00:45:51,430
When I came back to Niger,
342
00:45:52,070 --> 00:45:54,430
I played my first concert over there.
343
00:45:55,510 --> 00:45:56,950
My first concert...
344
00:45:57,630 --> 00:46:02,110
Shit, my voice became so different,
I didn't even understand...
345
00:46:02,270 --> 00:46:06,070
That's awesome.
-No, I couldn't hear anything.
346
00:46:06,430 --> 00:46:09,390
It all sounds horrible.
- Everything changed.
347
00:46:09,550 --> 00:46:15,990
Yeah, because I went to Europe
and the equipment there was so good.
348
00:46:16,830 --> 00:46:18,750
Here I couldn't hear the drums,
349
00:46:19,390 --> 00:46:21,230
I didn't hear my guitar.
350
00:46:21,390 --> 00:46:23,310
The rhythm guitar wasn't any good.
351
00:46:23,470 --> 00:46:26,710
Everything changed into...
-You changed into "Etran" again.
352
00:46:28,390 --> 00:46:30,550
It's no better afterwards...
-Yes.
353
00:46:31,470 --> 00:46:32,790
It's different.
354
00:48:40,070 --> 00:48:41,590
Mdou wants to go on tour
355
00:48:41,830 --> 00:48:45,150
or he's going on tour
for a couple of shows in Europe.
356
00:48:47,950 --> 00:48:48,830
Hello?
357
00:48:51,310 --> 00:48:54,590
Yes?
-I wanted to ask you to send money.
358
00:48:54,950 --> 00:48:56,390
For the visa, right?
359
00:48:58,150 --> 00:48:59,750
For the visa.
360
00:48:59,910 --> 00:49:01,950
And how much is the visa?
361
00:49:04,750 --> 00:49:07,110
It's 45 for 3 persons, right?
362
00:49:07,270 --> 00:49:10,270
45, so it's around 300 dollars.
363
00:49:12,710 --> 00:49:16,350
Right, I see...
But that's impossible.
364
00:49:16,510 --> 00:49:20,230
I don't have 1,000 or 2,000 euros.
365
00:49:20,870 --> 00:49:23,790
Try the same guy you asked last time.
366
00:49:26,710 --> 00:49:31,950
They say 32.50 euros a day
so we're probably going to...
367
00:49:40,230 --> 00:49:42,470
The problem is, when you get a Visa,
368
00:49:43,150 --> 00:49:46,470
a lot of time they want you
to see you have a lot of money.
369
00:49:46,830 --> 00:49:49,590
So a lot of times
what these guys have to do is...
370
00:49:51,550 --> 00:49:53,831
You have to have Euros,
so what they'll do is,
371
00:49:53,856 --> 00:49:55,894
they borrow
a certain amount of CFA Franc,
372
00:49:56,430 --> 00:49:58,150
change it into Euros
373
00:49:58,550 --> 00:50:02,870
and then they have a paper that says,
they changed so many CFA Franc into Euros.
374
00:50:03,270 --> 00:50:05,710
Then they change it back
into CFA Franc again,
375
00:50:06,030 --> 00:50:09,070
then change it again into Euros,
so they got a second form.
376
00:50:09,310 --> 00:50:13,310
Take it again, change it back into Euros
again for a third time,
377
00:50:13,470 --> 00:50:15,239
and now you have
three forms that say
378
00:50:15,264 --> 00:50:17,494
you've converted money
from CFA Franc into Euros.
379
00:50:17,830 --> 00:50:21,830
So it looks like
you have a certain amount of Euros.
380
00:50:25,150 --> 00:50:27,950
Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous!
381
00:50:29,950 --> 00:50:32,270
OK, this is for Düsseldorf,
382
00:50:33,630 --> 00:50:35,870
Mohammadou is the name.
383
00:50:36,950 --> 00:50:40,630
It's written here.
You're not terrorists, right?
384
00:50:45,750 --> 00:50:49,470
This is for you, you need to sign here
385
00:50:50,030 --> 00:50:52,390
and write the date here.
386
00:51:07,190 --> 00:51:08,830
When is the other one?
387
00:51:16,230 --> 00:51:18,070
Yours is at 9:30 am.
388
00:51:21,670 --> 00:51:26,390
Everybody we've got into Europe
is like a success for me.
389
00:51:26,910 --> 00:51:30,390
Just when they've come of the plane...
when Mdou came of the plane,
390
00:51:30,910 --> 00:51:34,950
I was like, "we fucking
done it already, this is it - we won!"
391
00:51:35,310 --> 00:51:37,950
We essentially got you into Europe
392
00:51:37,975 --> 00:51:41,934
and the whole European Union
didn't want you to come here.
393
00:51:42,110 --> 00:51:45,240
Sometimes though it feels like
we're cheating the system,
394
00:51:45,265 --> 00:51:47,534
we're sneaking them into Europe.
395
00:51:49,190 --> 00:51:53,350
And that's great,
because it's bullshit that they,
396
00:51:53,510 --> 00:51:56,230
that somebody from West Africa
can't go to Europe.
397
00:51:56,830 --> 00:51:58,710
I can go to West Africa.
398
00:51:59,070 --> 00:52:02,350
Yeah, I understand
the economics of it, but...
399
00:52:03,150 --> 00:52:04,790
but "Come on"!
400
00:52:37,190 --> 00:52:39,750
This guy is crazy, I dig his music.
401
00:52:39,910 --> 00:52:43,150
It's him who wants to meet you...
-What?
402
00:52:43,310 --> 00:52:45,310
He wants to meet you.
403
00:52:45,470 --> 00:52:47,270
You're kidding?
-No, it's him.
404
00:52:48,030 --> 00:52:50,950
Hey, this guy wants to meet me.
I'm so happy.
405
00:52:51,110 --> 00:52:52,510
Yes, Thomas Azier.
406
00:52:52,670 --> 00:52:54,590
I really dig his music.
407
00:52:55,510 --> 00:52:58,510
Hey man, I'm so happy to meet you.
408
00:52:58,670 --> 00:53:00,670
I like you're music, it's very beautiful.
409
00:53:00,870 --> 00:53:04,630
I'm such a big fan of you, it's crazy.
-I like you're music very much.
410
00:53:05,030 --> 00:53:09,230
I saw your name and I was like
"it can't be true". - Thank you.
411
00:53:09,430 --> 00:53:12,950
I know you through you
basically, through your label.
412
00:53:13,190 --> 00:53:17,310
I ordered your record
and I listened to it so much.
413
00:53:18,070 --> 00:53:19,390
Thank you.
414
00:53:19,910 --> 00:53:25,510
I was 30 minutes in this place, I listened
to your music, I was looking for you,
415
00:53:26,150 --> 00:53:29,510
I said,
I wanted to greet you or something...
416
00:53:29,670 --> 00:53:32,590
I'm so happy to meet you.
-I like your music very well.
417
00:53:32,710 --> 00:53:37,990
I'm such a big fan, I checked everything
that's there to find from you.
418
00:53:39,150 --> 00:53:42,750
Hey, I'm Thomas, nice to meet you.
419
00:53:43,750 --> 00:53:45,710
Are you sometimes in Paris?
420
00:53:45,910 --> 00:53:47,310
What did he say?
421
00:53:47,830 --> 00:53:50,480
We're going to be
in Paris on this tour,
422
00:53:50,505 --> 00:53:53,934
but they're also going to be
back in October/November.
423
00:53:55,590 --> 00:54:00,030
And where are you living now?
Still based in Niger?
424
00:54:00,230 --> 00:54:02,590
In Agadez.
-Okay, very nice.
425
00:54:03,670 --> 00:54:06,830
I'm really happy to meet you too,
how is the label going? - It's great man…
426
00:54:07,630 --> 00:54:12,190
I'm a fucking big fan. - I mean we're
touring so this couldn't be any better.
427
00:54:12,390 --> 00:54:17,310
Very nice. I'm pushing it to everybody,
everything you bring out.
428
00:54:17,550 --> 00:54:19,230
It's very cool.
429
00:54:19,390 --> 00:54:21,646
Can we take a picture together?
I want a picture. -Yeah, of course.
430
00:54:21,670 --> 00:54:23,310
But I don't have my fucking phone...
431
00:54:26,950 --> 00:54:27,750
Perfect.
432
00:55:00,070 --> 00:55:03,950
Mdou Moctar,
what do you think about this boat?
433
00:55:04,110 --> 00:55:06,870
Well, I have to say it's very cool,
434
00:55:07,030 --> 00:55:12,070
but I would rather dive into the water,
it's new for me, you know.
435
00:55:12,230 --> 00:55:14,030
I come from the desert.
436
00:55:16,150 --> 00:55:18,550
And you?
What do you think about this boat?
437
00:55:22,150 --> 00:55:23,750
It's not bad.
438
00:55:33,030 --> 00:55:37,350
The GPS might make the whole thing
even more complicated,
439
00:55:38,870 --> 00:55:42,710
because normally
you drive in the city center,
440
00:55:42,870 --> 00:55:45,230
or on a highway or something similar.
441
00:55:45,390 --> 00:55:49,630
But we're in the middle of nowhere.
It looks like we're in Agadez or Diffa.
442
00:55:49,790 --> 00:55:52,430
Keep filming the road.
-Look at this road.
443
00:55:52,590 --> 00:55:56,230
How would anyone ever believe
that this is a European road?
444
00:55:56,390 --> 00:56:02,150
It looks like the road
between Kao and Tchin-Tabaradene.
445
00:56:04,470 --> 00:56:07,550
Or dare I say,
between Abalak and Illighadad.
446
00:56:08,270 --> 00:56:10,550
OK, Achecouscous,
447
00:56:10,710 --> 00:56:14,750
how do you like Sweden,
since it's new to you?
448
00:56:14,910 --> 00:56:16,710
Well, Sweden is....
449
00:56:17,070 --> 00:56:19,230
That's fine.
-The old woman liked it a lot.
450
00:56:20,190 --> 00:56:21,910
I forgot all the Swedish,
451
00:56:22,270 --> 00:56:24,870
how they spoke: "Hej, hej"...
452
00:56:32,030 --> 00:56:36,350
Christopher is a decent person
who really helps us,
453
00:56:36,710 --> 00:56:39,510
he makes the traveling easy for us
454
00:56:41,030 --> 00:56:43,310
and we are happy
about our tour with him.
455
00:56:46,150 --> 00:56:47,270
Berlin, Berlin.
456
00:56:47,630 --> 00:56:50,150
That's Marseille, right?
-No, it's Berlin.
457
00:56:50,310 --> 00:56:52,190
This is Berlin?
-Yes.
458
00:56:52,550 --> 00:56:54,550
It's with King Khan's guitar.
459
00:56:58,630 --> 00:57:01,550
It looks like it wasn't hot,
but it had 100 degrees.
460
00:58:22,550 --> 00:58:26,670
Like even touring with the musicians
is something I sort of fell into.
461
00:58:27,150 --> 00:58:30,750
If I could get an opportunity for the
artist to get a Visa and go some place,
462
00:58:30,910 --> 00:58:33,270
then of course we're going to do that.
463
00:58:33,790 --> 00:58:38,390
But to be a manager, just because I have a
credit card and they don't and they can't,
464
00:58:39,990 --> 00:58:44,630
That's not really where I want
my success to be is based on...
465
00:58:47,630 --> 00:58:51,630
That I'm successful
because of global inequity.
466
01:00:08,430 --> 01:00:13,630
He has a label, called Sahel Sounds.
He is interested in the music
467
01:00:13,990 --> 01:00:18,550
played by those young musicians in Niger.
468
01:00:18,710 --> 01:00:22,870
Especially to Agadez he used to go and
469
01:00:23,910 --> 01:00:28,910
go on tour with them, like this Mdou.
470
01:00:31,470 --> 01:00:33,510
And there are some others I don't know.
471
01:00:34,190 --> 01:00:37,750
That's how it happened.
472
01:00:38,750 --> 01:00:41,510
I was about to set off, it's enough.
473
01:00:41,670 --> 01:00:45,150
I've been playing this music,
maybe I have to stop,
474
01:00:45,390 --> 01:00:48,270
because there are younger generations.
475
01:00:48,830 --> 01:00:51,830
But I keep on playing,
because I like music.
476
01:00:52,470 --> 01:00:56,950
Good afternoon, my name is Mamman Sani.
477
01:00:58,150 --> 01:01:04,510
I'm a teacher, an English teacher
and I play music for fun.
478
01:01:05,070 --> 01:01:10,510
In Niger they call me the pianist,
but I'm not a pianist.
479
01:01:38,510 --> 01:01:40,230
MAMMANE SANI
AND HIS KEYBOARD
480
01:01:40,390 --> 01:01:42,110
ELECTRONIC MUSIC FROM NIGER
481
01:03:13,390 --> 01:03:16,350
That's good.
Just one more minute here...
482
01:03:20,910 --> 01:03:22,030
OK!
483
01:03:22,830 --> 01:03:25,030
This is the contract I made.
484
01:03:25,670 --> 01:03:29,270
So, just to explain how it works,
485
01:03:29,950 --> 01:03:32,990
I make the record
and after that I sell it.
486
01:03:33,710 --> 01:03:36,870
I don't take exclusive rights,
487
01:03:37,030 --> 01:03:39,910
so if you want to sell your music,
488
01:03:40,070 --> 01:03:42,910
make another CD or another vinyl
489
01:03:43,670 --> 01:03:45,030
and sell it, you can.
490
01:03:45,750 --> 01:03:47,470
I don't take any percentage.
491
01:03:47,630 --> 01:03:49,790
Normally when I make something,
492
01:03:49,950 --> 01:03:52,990
every time I make something new,
I have to send it to you?
493
01:03:53,150 --> 01:03:54,990
You can.
-I want to do it this way.
494
01:03:55,150 --> 01:03:57,030
Why contact someone else?
495
01:03:57,190 --> 01:04:00,910
It's you who came such a long way.
496
01:04:01,510 --> 01:04:03,230
You're the only one I know now
497
01:04:03,390 --> 01:04:05,230
and I trust you as well.
498
01:04:07,150 --> 01:04:09,790
You understood what I said, right?
-Yes.
499
01:04:09,950 --> 01:04:13,870
I just do the creating
and you will do the rest.
500
01:04:14,030 --> 01:04:16,790
You are the one
who knows how to do it.
501
01:04:17,710 --> 01:04:19,990
For me it's really just like...
502
01:04:20,150 --> 01:04:22,750
an assistance that you give me,
that's it.
503
01:04:22,910 --> 01:04:26,110
And you are there,
504
01:04:26,470 --> 01:04:28,590
you prepare the music, you sell it,
505
01:04:28,750 --> 01:04:32,310
you take your cut,
you send me my cut...
506
01:04:32,670 --> 01:04:36,550
As you are experienced
with the whole process,
507
01:04:37,630 --> 01:04:42,190
I simply have to prepare "the sauce"
and you do the tasting.
508
01:04:42,350 --> 01:04:43,830
The "sauce", that's it.
509
01:04:43,990 --> 01:04:46,310
I have a lot of spices in my head.
-Yeah.
510
01:04:46,470 --> 01:04:47,990
It's swollen like this.
511
01:04:52,230 --> 01:04:53,630
See you later.
-Bye.
512
01:04:57,230 --> 01:04:58,710
It's a big thing for me.
513
01:04:59,470 --> 01:05:02,510
It's the first time
something like this is happening to me.
514
01:05:02,870 --> 01:05:06,510
I waited a long time for this
and it fell from heaven.
515
01:05:07,270 --> 01:05:11,710
Yes, he followed me
because of my sound.
516
01:05:12,310 --> 01:05:16,750
He followed my traces
step by step to get to here.
517
01:05:17,590 --> 01:05:18,830
He found me.
518
01:05:18,990 --> 01:05:23,710
Just like that.
Now I feel cool...
519
01:05:24,310 --> 01:05:25,470
Happy.
520
01:05:36,590 --> 01:05:38,750
Where is your country?
-I'm American.
521
01:05:38,910 --> 01:05:40,190
American?
-Yes.
522
01:05:40,350 --> 01:05:44,030
My brother, as soon as I have
some money I want to go there.
523
01:05:44,190 --> 01:05:45,670
Do you?
-Yes.
524
01:05:45,830 --> 01:05:47,630
You want to go there?
-Yes.
525
01:05:47,790 --> 01:05:50,910
I want to go there,
but I don't have any money.
526
01:05:51,550 --> 01:05:55,350
The thing is, it's not...
It's very expensive over there.
527
01:05:55,510 --> 01:05:58,870
Everything is great there.
When I go there... Better than here.
528
01:05:59,030 --> 01:06:00,550
Ah?
-Yes.
529
01:06:00,910 --> 01:06:02,870
I know singers there.
530
01:06:03,950 --> 01:06:05,390
Yeah, I can see.
531
01:06:05,550 --> 01:06:07,190
You mean Rick Ross
532
01:06:07,550 --> 01:06:08,950
and Beyoncé, or what?
533
01:06:09,550 --> 01:06:12,070
When I'm there I will look for work.
534
01:06:12,870 --> 01:06:15,230
But even with work it's not easy there.
535
01:06:15,910 --> 01:06:17,750
Really?
-It's not easy.
536
01:06:17,910 --> 01:06:20,310
Everything is fine in America,
not like here.
537
01:06:20,470 --> 01:06:23,230
You know, over there,
it's very expensive.
538
01:06:23,390 --> 01:06:27,070
That's the problem over there,
life is expensive.
539
01:06:27,230 --> 01:06:28,590
Really?
-Yes.
540
01:06:38,510 --> 01:06:43,510
Where are you from?
-These last few years I was in Libya.
541
01:06:43,870 --> 01:06:47,910
You crossed the Sahara?
-Yes, I've crossed the Sahara before.
542
01:06:48,070 --> 01:06:49,150
It's dangerous!
543
01:06:49,510 --> 01:06:52,710
No problem,
it's like that when you're poor.
544
01:07:10,750 --> 01:07:12,550
Your country is great.
545
01:07:12,710 --> 01:07:16,630
You have water there, you have snow,
it's not like here in Niger.
546
01:07:17,950 --> 01:07:20,190
And Libya? How was it?
-What?
547
01:07:20,350 --> 01:07:21,790
How was Libya?
548
01:07:21,950 --> 01:07:24,990
Libya...
There's enough water there, it's good.
549
01:07:25,350 --> 01:07:28,710
Why did you go to Tripoli? For work?
-Yes, work.
550
01:07:28,870 --> 01:07:31,030
Every month I get money from there.
551
01:07:33,190 --> 01:07:37,470
You didn't try to leave for Europe?
552
01:07:38,150 --> 01:07:39,390
No, Libya is fine.
553
01:07:40,910 --> 01:07:42,150
America is great.
554
01:07:43,310 --> 01:07:45,950
Ah yes... It's not like here.
555
01:07:46,110 --> 01:07:48,590
You watch a lot of hip-hop videos,
dude.
556
01:07:48,750 --> 01:07:51,910
Yes, that's good.
-Yeah, but that's not America!
557
01:07:52,070 --> 01:07:53,990
It is America!
-No, no, no.
558
01:07:54,150 --> 01:07:55,870
Aren't hip-hoppers American?
559
01:07:56,030 --> 01:07:59,110
Yes, but there's a lot of "bla bla"
and bullshit, too.
560
01:08:00,110 --> 01:08:01,390
Hello?
561
01:08:01,550 --> 01:08:02,830
Yes, what's up?
562
01:08:03,190 --> 01:08:05,750
I'll call you back,
I'm at the barbershop.
563
01:08:05,910 --> 01:08:07,590
I will call you back.
564
01:08:18,030 --> 01:08:22,070
Landcruisers, Motorbikes,
"Hausa" pop music,
565
01:08:22,310 --> 01:08:28,150
cellphones, guitar evenings and marriages
and competition between guitarists.
566
01:08:28,390 --> 01:08:31,070
This is all very current stuff
567
01:08:31,670 --> 01:08:35,710
and so I think a lot about
how these things are represented,
568
01:08:35,910 --> 01:08:39,310
how do you conceptualize or contextualize
569
01:08:40,110 --> 01:08:42,830
something that you take out of one place
and put it into another.
570
01:08:45,550 --> 01:08:50,030
I've sent you bad stuff before,
bad quality... this is the worst. -Okay.
571
01:08:50,230 --> 01:08:55,350
These are all .mp3s I got from his
cellphone and his friends cellphones,
572
01:08:55,790 --> 01:08:58,750
and some stuff that was sent
over email, they're pretty low...
573
01:09:00,630 --> 01:09:03,830
But they're really good. It's all,
574
01:09:04,870 --> 01:09:06,950
all of his music is that.
575
01:09:07,190 --> 01:09:11,310
He hasn't recorded anything,
besides the stuff that I recorded for him
576
01:09:11,630 --> 01:09:16,230
it's all cellphone recordings.
So I guess we'll see what we can do.
577
01:09:16,430 --> 01:09:18,701
I'm not expecting it to sound amazing,
578
01:09:18,726 --> 01:09:22,614
I'm going to make that part
of the concept of the record too,
579
01:09:22,990 --> 01:09:26,710
that it is Lo-Fi
and recorded on a cellphone.
580
01:09:32,750 --> 01:09:34,150
That's pretty rough sounding.
581
01:09:34,350 --> 01:09:37,510
It's supposed to sound low.
-That's the worst right there,
582
01:09:37,630 --> 01:09:39,870
but it's such a good track though too.
583
01:09:44,230 --> 01:09:47,630
The audience is always been Westerners.
584
01:09:47,870 --> 01:09:50,870
I wasn't making a blog for people in Niger,
585
01:09:51,070 --> 01:09:54,670
but you have to pretend, that you
are making it for that audience, too.
586
01:09:55,190 --> 01:10:00,230
That's like the first step,
to be just sensitive to that.
587
01:10:03,150 --> 01:10:05,710
Pretty soon in five or ten years,
588
01:10:06,350 --> 01:10:09,470
everything I've ever done
is going to be translated,
589
01:10:09,630 --> 01:10:13,070
it's going to be up there and everybody
here is going to have access to that.
590
01:10:13,750 --> 01:10:17,590
I think you have to be sensitive
and accountable
591
01:10:18,230 --> 01:10:22,150
for what you're making and producing.
592
01:10:23,190 --> 01:10:27,470
So in that sense
I don't think the records and the music
593
01:10:27,710 --> 01:10:29,522
are made for this audience right now,
594
01:10:29,547 --> 01:10:31,734
but they are made for
this audience in the future.
595
01:10:42,350 --> 01:10:45,950
OK, now let's record
the "oweeh, oweehoho".
596
01:10:46,310 --> 01:10:47,670
Ready?
597
01:10:57,430 --> 01:11:00,310
I started to make recordings
for the boys.
598
01:11:00,670 --> 01:11:04,350
When I listen to something
and see that it's good, I produce it.
599
01:11:04,910 --> 01:11:06,550
I try to do that
600
01:11:06,710 --> 01:11:09,750
because that will help develop
my studio a bit,
601
01:11:10,550 --> 01:11:13,590
and help establish
Nigerien music a bit more.
602
01:11:13,950 --> 01:11:16,110
In one year I produced five albums
603
01:11:16,670 --> 01:11:19,790
and 365 singles.
604
01:11:20,510 --> 01:11:23,790
About cell phones,
since people use Bluetooth and so on,
605
01:11:23,950 --> 01:11:25,710
do you think that helps the artists?
606
01:11:26,070 --> 01:11:29,110
They have to let their songs
be shared illegally.
607
01:11:29,270 --> 01:11:31,670
Without illegal sharing
you won't get known.
608
01:11:32,030 --> 01:11:34,870
But with cell phones,
if you release a single
609
01:11:35,470 --> 01:11:38,350
I think it's the best way
610
01:11:38,710 --> 01:11:42,990
to spread the music,
and for it to be listened to abroad too.
611
01:11:43,350 --> 01:11:47,270
I, myself, find a lot of artists
thanks to cell phones.
612
01:11:47,430 --> 01:11:50,670
Every time I come to Africa,
I copy stuff over Bluetooth.
613
01:11:51,030 --> 01:11:55,950
It's the only way to spread our music
614
01:11:56,310 --> 01:11:58,070
beyond our borders.
615
01:12:54,550 --> 01:12:57,350
I think there's going to be
less and less need for managers,
616
01:12:57,670 --> 01:13:03,310
I think there will be less and less
need for labels even like myself,
617
01:13:04,430 --> 01:13:08,630
and that's fine. That's good.
618
01:13:09,310 --> 01:13:12,430
We... I personally love your music,
619
01:13:12,590 --> 01:13:15,470
and it's the same with Chris,
he also loves it.
620
01:13:15,830 --> 01:13:18,910
And after that, you never know,
621
01:13:19,070 --> 01:13:21,990
maybe one day
someone will like your album.
622
01:13:22,150 --> 01:13:26,670
Their recordings
might become an album, you know.
623
01:13:26,830 --> 01:13:28,750
That's it.
-This kind of thing.
624
01:13:28,910 --> 01:13:32,790
Also if something comes my way,
625
01:13:32,950 --> 01:13:36,750
I will call you directly,
we make a contract and everything.
626
01:13:36,910 --> 01:13:38,750
I want to keep things clear.
627
01:13:39,630 --> 01:13:42,550
I was recently called like a...
628
01:13:42,910 --> 01:13:50,270
a "music pirate" by somebody working
in the world music industry.
629
01:13:50,510 --> 01:13:53,750
And I thought it was
sort of funny to be called a "pirate",
630
01:13:54,190 --> 01:13:56,950
because you work directly with artists,
because you bypass that.
631
01:13:57,630 --> 01:14:00,390
At first it wrapped me the wrong way
and then I was like,
632
01:14:00,590 --> 01:14:05,270
but yeah, if a pirate means paying artists
and working with artists,
633
01:14:05,630 --> 01:14:07,190
okay, I'll be a pirate!
48770
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