Interview With Toubab Krewe's Drew Heller - Page 2

MR: Toubab Krewe seems to have attained a level of street cred that a lot of "fusion" bands don't have, and though you tour the jamband circuit pretty heavily, you've managed to not be lumped into the jamband category, either. Why do you think that is?

DH: Our spirit is in the realm of the carnival, the road, traveling, creole experiences. Our roots are based in traditional musics: Appalachian fiddle tunes, zydeco music, gypsy music, blues, soul and R&B, rock and roll, and Manding and Wassoulou music from West Africa. Just as a group of readers do not define the genre of one author that they all have read by the act of collectively reading, neither does one particular group of listeners define the genre of one band they are listening to by collectively listening.

MR: You've performed in West Africa a number of times, most notably at Festival au Desert in Mali, and you've also toured extensively in the States. How do African and American audiences react to your music? Is it a different reaction in both places?

DH: Though the cultural environments are different, we are tied together with the common desire to congregate and celebrate with music and dance.

MR: How do you feel about bands who are following in your footsteps who cite you as an influence? Is it an honor, or are you like, "Go to Africa and do the work yourselves!"

DH: It is an honor to be a creative inspiration to anyone in this world. We would not be anywhere without the inspiration from those who came before us.

MR: Are there any artists or albums that you'd recommend as "next-step" or "if you like Toubab Krewe, you might like..." for your fans who want to explore West African music a little further?

DH: So many artists to name, here's a few: Afel Boucoum, Tinariwen, Rail Band, Orchestra Baobab, Oumou Sangare, Yelemba d'Abidjan, Mah Kouyate No. 2, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Toumani Diabate, Ballake Sissoko, Ali Farka Toure, Bassekou Kouyate, Djeneba Seck, Amadou et Mariam, Fac Alliance, Sekouba Bambino, and Abdoulaye Diabate.

MR: I wasn't going to bring up Vampire Weekend, but I can't help myself. If you guys and the guys from VW were to meet up for a cage match, who walks out alive?

DH: TK with that TKO!