Interview with Richard Augustin:

Audio samples from the CD Kafe
	Kafe
	Caroline

Discover Haiti: Congratulations on your latest album. We read your press kit, in which you call your blend of music Jamba Rhythm. In your own words,  what is "Jamba Rhythm"?

Richard Augustin: Jamba Rhythm for me is a mixture of many rhythms that I like myself and I took from them what I prefer. For example, from the Brazilian, I took Samba and Bossa Nova, from the Cuban a little bit of their mambo, Konpa from Haiti, also rhythms like Conga, the Cha-cha. For the name, I used the first letter of some of them , combined them  together, and coined the word Jamba. Jamba Rhythm.

DH: Is the title song “Kafe” an example of Jamba Rhythm?

RA: Kafe is a Jamba example but with a stronger Brazilian influence. Each song is Jamba. For example, in “Para ti Cuba” there is more of a mambo. In the song  “Caroline”  there is more of a troubadour. In Kafe there is more of a Samba. So basically Jamba is the bed and the influence can be deeper depends on the song.

DH: How did Kafe come about?

RA: Kafe come about from a conversation with a friend and I over the phone and that person has a strong character because she drinks a lot of coffee. So I was just thinking about it and that made me think of Kafe in some way. I don't know if you notice that the rhythms of Kafe are a little more alive. I was like … this is Kafe  (laugh) . Then I liked the name so I kept it.

DH: What about the album itself. When did you decide to do Kafe?

RA: As soon as I finished the first one I really wanted to work on the second one. But you know you have to do promotion and all and I performed a bit for the first CD also then took a little time then as soon as I felt comfortable with the new composition, then I went straight into studio. It took me a year to finish … to realize it.

DH: Amazing to think that you played many of the instruments?

RA: I played the bass, the guitar, the piano, the drums… (Laugh)

DH: When did Kafe come out?

RA: Kafe came out in November 1999. It was officially out in December but a few stores had it in November.

DH: What inspired you to write "Para ti Cuba”?

RA: I grew up with my father, my uncle and they were very much music inclined. But in their youth the music they used to dance was the Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, Mambo etc. We did not have Konpa yet at that time. So there was a lot of musicians from Cuba that used to play with musicians from Haiti and I was always exposed to a mixture of Cuban and Haitian music together which I grew up to really love. I have not heard that blend for such a long time that I wanted to write a song to say thank you for the musicians of the time, to give us enough music. So I wrote a song to all Cubans, "Para ti Cuba" it is a way of saying Thank you.

DH: Did you get to visit Cuba?

RA: Not yet.

DH: You have a song called "Thank You" it is one of our favorites actually I found it a bit sad. Am I  right to think it is sad a little bit or…?

RA: It might be a little bit more melancholic than sad. It is like I am saying thank you but it is like saying… You know when somebody does something nice to you and you want to say thank you but with a lot of emotion. So it was my way to say thank you to everybody that ever listened to the first CD and were telling me things like: "oh don't be discouraged”  because you know this style of music was really kind of new in the market “don't be discouraged keep on performing, this is great, you are doing good” so that was my way to say thank you to anybody that ever… Well because once somebody tells you they like your song you know it makes you feel good and you want to do more.

DH: What is your favorite song out of the whole album?

RA: That's hard I like all of them. (Laugh) …Caroline has a strong effect on me because when I play the CD myself sometimes I would play Caroline three or four times before I could go and listen to the rest of the CD. But I do not know if it is my favorite or not but the rhythm of Caroline is closer to Haitian music to me than the other ones because I don’t know….If you listen to the CD yourself…

DH: Oh yes, it is kind of reminded me  of a country side party

RA: Troubadour…I don’t know …a little beguine. We hope to make a video from this song.

DH: When is it coming out?

RA: We have most of the script ready. We hope to start shooting late this year. We have the script, the director and the location….(Laugh)

DH: So it’s not going to be released here only…I mean, what about Haiti…?

RA: Just like the video of the first CD we would like to release it in Haiti, Montreal, Florida…

DH: Is there an evolution between Breeding, your first album and Kafe…a change of style a little bit?

RA:Yes. It is not really what I would call a change of style. I integrated myself more into the style. In the first CD and I have to tell you, the first CD before it came out was in the works for two years because there was nothing comparable in the  music market in the community. The Haitian community was like…if you did not have a lead singer singing, you could not have a completely instrumental album. So it’s like a little bit more experimental. And I don’t know if you noticed, there is a more of a little Konpa in it. The second one, I grew up more from performing for the public and getting feedback from venues and I adjusted somewhat . One needs lots of patience, which every artist does have. Basically when you perform, you observe the response of the public, the response of the media and you do some sort of adjustment …and it does not mean that one is better than the other one. It is just there is so much to offer. You can experiment as much as you want.

DH: In general  how you would say the Haitian public received your music?

RA: Very well, very well and when I went to Haiti for an interview the reception was excellent even when I stopped at a gas station to put gas in the car, the guys at the  station would come up and say oh Mr Augustin, …Breeding…da..dadada…You know they say that in Creole. Anyway,  I  also went to the museum and there is the song that is called “bee suite” that’s actually “bissuit”  Creole for biscuit. So  I was  at the museum and a lady called “oh monsieur Biscuit”. …Laugh…

DH:You actually intended that little word play or was it accidental?

RA: Yes it is a little intentional word play. When one pronounces it I thought that  in the Caribbean people would think, if they are not reading it, that  is “bissuit” but it is actually “Bee Suite”

DH: Do you have more of a following in the New York Community, the Haitian community or the Atlantic, international community?

RA: It is divided in a sense;  depends on which venue I play. But the bottom line is, wherever I play the response is good. I mean…I did not play this year. I did not perform this year yet because we have to put the band together again…I have to audition new musicians, have rehearsal and all that and also doing promotions basically my manager is taking care of all that…(laugh). Anyway,  I played for the American community and had a good response. I played for the Haitian community and I had a big response I performed for sort of mix of Hispanic, Brazilian community, I had a big response. So basically this music does not have one particular crowd; what they worry more about the music is that at the performance if I deliver. but the style of music is universal. you know I would call somebody and say I am performing and they would call their other friends …each would tell me that they brought my CD already and loved the music…

DH: So you don’t think that there is a special crowd for your music…you said no but to be precise, in one of the articles, one media said that it was “good listening pleasure but it is not for everyone”.

RA: That was Konpa magazine

DH: Do you agree with that or not?

RA: That, I did not agree with for one reason,  music should no be limited to a group. An artist does his crafts to express his emotions but he does not do it for one particular group. It just happens that certain people can feel or can relate to what the artist does and will come and participate. I did not even think about people when I was making it I was worrying more about quality work and then from the response,  you got to know who you are touching. Like for example, if I was playing rock ’n roll there are some people I would want to be interested but at first I would not go for one particular group. But at the same time, I respect the opinion  of the magazine, for it  is based on  their own observation.

DH: I kind of relate to what they said in the sense that is there… do you think that there is some false characterization in Haitian music as to saying what should be Haitian music or what is Haitian music and what is not or that Konpa is the only Haitian music. Do you think there is such a thing?

RA: In our community yes. When they talk about Haitian music they classify it as Folk, Racine, Zouk…Konpa. Anything else that you do in the community they say that you are experimenting or you are doing so many other things but they forget that in our country we have so many styles maybe not all of them are as exposed. Let’s take a cultural rhythm like Vodou for example, they found at least 101 different rhythms within this type only. Konpa is the mainstream danceable sort of music. But our country should not be judged on Konpa alone because we have “troubadour”, we have “Anba Tonel” we have “Beguine” we have… I mean there are so many different types of music, we have Jamba Rhythm….(All laugh). Well it is definily Haitian, that is 100% Haitian music. The Haitian music always had an influence since the beginning like Konpa came from Beguine with Nemours Jean Baptiste. All music always get  their influences from  some other  music. Like now, most music in our culture are  influenced  by Reggae and Rap so what I’m saying  is that not because you have an influence you cannot say it is not of Haiti. You see we are living in one world so the more that you travel and you are exposed to different cultures it is not a bad thing to pick up a good thing from another culture.

DH: Do you see yourself more as an international artists or as a Haitian artist?

RA: I am a Haitian artist being Haitian, the type of music that I play, I found out is not limited to just one type so I am happy with this because like for example Konpa is a pure cultural rhythm I mean if somebody is singing a lyric in Konpa and say thinks like I was sitting on top of the roof…of my house  and the sugar cane man was passing by and we were like joking you see if you have not lived this you just can’t relate to it. That is why most of the song that are famous worldwide, you have to notice, are mostly about love because it is universal so whatever is universal within the music will be international, will be global and whatever is cultural will be restrained to certain type of culture. So I would like to think of my music as being universal or at least I try my best to make it universal but I do not want to be classified as one ethnicity per say but as for as my heart goes I am  150% Haitian.

DH: Speaking of influences who would you pick as either a favorite artist either Haitian or worldwide artist as your influence, or anyone you admire …

RA: There are three actually. You have Amos Coulanges because I remember when I first started playing guitar I was looking for his music to learn how it is; you have Dadou Pasquet, because I was a good fan of the Magnum Band when they first came out…
Ah these guys had some lyrics…wow. And  also George Benson

DH: You did not mention Antonio Carlos Jobim

RA: Carlos Jobim for me, I like his composition, his musical arrangements but for me he is not like… he does not portray himself as a guitarist. He plays the guitar but it is the style that he came out with, his Bossa Nova, his musical arrangements that’s what influences me. But I thought you meant a guitar player so…

DH: well not necessarily. Any musician you admire

RA: Well then the list is too long. I could also name Jazz musician Al di Meola, Paco de Lucia(?) and  Robert Martino.

DH: Now personal side…You did not mention much about your personal life in the press kit

RA: There is a good reason for that .(laugh)

DH: Is that private?

RA: (laughing) It is personal. Keyword!

DH: Some might say that the public has a right to know

RA: Of course the public has a right to know and I respect the right of the public to know but  the public should also respect my right to keep it personal …so…. (Laugh)

RA: Well I am still single, if that is what you meant (laugh) but I have somebody very dear to me and we will keep it as this.

DH: You came from a very large family you mentioned

RA: Fairly. Six brothers mom and dad.

DH: No girls? How many of you are in music?

RA: Me and my brother both are professionally in the music business.But the whole family at one point or another played something as a hobby some play the keyboard as a hobby, the clarinet, some play the guitar. But they don't do it as a profession.

DH: Speaking of hobbies what do you do when you are not playing music or performing?

RA: Well if am not doing anything involving music as far as composing, arranging because I am also a sound engineer so sometimes I am in the studio mixing for other artists. If I am not I do other things like riding my bicycle, I love riding bicycles. Also, I am always on the computer I have a passion for the computer. It's music related…laugh…Sometimes, I am out checking  for some new equipment but as far as sport I used to play a lot of volleyball I have not done that in a while as you can tell. (pointing that he may be out-of-shape)

DH: Depends on what level …(laugh)

RA: That is true, that's true. I know they are changing my diet now for the video. I love meat.

DH: So you played volleyball. You won any tournament?

RA: I have won a couple of tournaments. I have one for the US volleyball association  when I was playing for Radio City Music Hall we won the gold medal and …that was my passion.  I mean the sport that I really liked was volleyball. In high school I used to play… I like soccer but since 1978 I have not play nor watch any soccer

DH: Not even the World Cup?

RA: Well once in a while the world cup but I mean the passion for music grew up more. I have seen myself watching the world cup one day and was paying more attention to what music they were  playing on TV…..laugh….

DH: You have not mentioned your age either is that private matter?

RA:  Well everybody knows that I am eighteen…(everyone laughs).  Put it this way, I am between 25 and 100 and I have seen a quarter of a century a long time ago…(All laugh)

DH: That's good enough as a range …laugh. Ah… performance,  when can we expect to see you or where can we expect to see you?      

RA: The band is about done with rehearsal. We should be performing soon (In fact, Richard Augustin will be performing on Nov 28 at Lion’s Den in Greenwich Village). And now my manager is organizing the rest so…

DH : Whenever you come with a calendar we would be more than happy to post it on the site.

RA: Thank you, that would be nice…nice website by the way.

DH: Thank you.

DH: So you mentioned…are you working on other projects besides getting ready to perform like you are in the studio at this time.

RA: Well right now I am basically concentrating on my music,  because that is one other thing that slowed me down in the beginning because I was too busy with other projects at the same time that I was doing my own. I mean I am not being selfish but I need to put time into this to do it right because I don't like mediocre work. When  I do something  I want to do it the best I know how to.

DH: How do you think the public can best support you at this time?

RA: By buying my CD… (big laugh).
They have been very nice, very nice and I have not been performing for them so I cannot blame them for anything. But as for like the public from my website, I have a guest book, I have people who have signed  up  from Florida, Montreal, Chicago so there is a response telling me I had your CD some had the first and did not know the second was out yet. You know so there is this whole thing that you have to work onto. So I have absolutely nothing to complain about. They have been very supportive and very nice about it. Even the other musicians friends that I have they were like “keep it up, keep it up” “very nice very nice”.

RA’ Manager, Rosey Marchiori: Anyway the present CD should be in the big stores, it is just a matter of days now.

DH: It is not in stores yet?

RA: It is in store but it is not in the Virgin,  HMV, Tower Records…

RA: The first one is in already, the second one is in the work

DH : Is it being sold online?

RA: Not yet, well not that I know of. I'll  I will double check….No wait… Windows on Haiti has it for sale so far, the first one is on Amazon.com.

DH: Last word for the fans or the public

RA: Just a big thank you… I am serious…I cannot emphasize enough when I say thank you. Guys like you make things happen more then the media by researching into it, presenting it, exposing it, and the public responding by buying the CD. There is like an interrelation in which you guys are the mediator. When I say thank you I am not being polite …Because for an artists it is hard work believe me. You can spend thousands of dollars into making a CD and then you don't sell any, so everyday you are looking at this whole pile of boxes in your apartment but thanks to the interrelation, things get moving. There was  a party, and  they called me to play at the OAS building in Washington  again because of the interrelation.  They told me that they did not know  that we had this type of music in Haiti.  Also  they needed the band for a cocktail party  not concert or show; so they could not use Konpa at a cocktail party. Because of the exposition  I got the call, this is excellent also you know when I perform I am presenting music from Haiti people will ask you questions like I did not know there was this type of music because in some people's mind we only have Konpa and Rasin (roots music) and that's that but that is not true in Racine only there is 121 rhythms and in Konpa every man can bring their own variations of it and then we have the Troubadour, Flamingo tropical and then you have Zèklè doing their thing and the Caribbean Sextet which has a jazz influence. We have many styles but they are all  Haitian music with different influences.

DH: Thank you for talking to us. We hope to see you soon on the performing scene.

RA: I hope so too. Thank you for having invited us.

Audio samples from Breeding
	Bee Suite
	Breeding

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