Reggae · November 08, 2008
EXCLUSIVE: Read Surforeggae's interview with Natiruts and download the new single "Raçaman" in full!
The band Natiruts is back, and this time they send their usual conscious message with an even more modern look. Anyone who was surprised by
The band Natiruts is back, and this time they send their usual conscious message with an even more modern look. Anyone who was surprised by the sound of "Reggae Power", the band's previous work, will certainly approve of this evolution. The mixing was in the hands of none other than the great Mad Professor, who doesn't need any kind of presentation. Check out the interview with Alexandre, lead singer of Natiruts, and find out more about the new work, ideology and much more.
Why Raçaman?
It is a name that has to do with our recent history. The band went through several transformations, both in its members and in the way it conducted its career, which became independent in 2002. Today, no one doubts where the bases, the hits, and the band's concept always came from.
Will the album Raçaman follow the same trend as the song that gives the album its name?
In reality, this song was born in the studio during recording. It marks a new era in the band's sound, just as it happened with "Reggae Power", but on the album we will have an overview of all the paths already explored, such as roots reggae, reggae with more Brazilian harmonies, ska, others with more modern sounds, one mixing dancehall beats with Brazilian beats, and Raçaman which has a more modern sound and slightly more direct lyrics. We like to explore this characteristic of being able to make both acidic songs and romantic songs naturally.
Tell us a little about the initiative to make the first single from Natiruts available for free?
For us, the concept of attitude has always been much more linked to action, than dressing, singing, behaving or praying in the way that was pre-defined as right. Following this thought, we had the attitude of remaining independent and today we have the possibility of expressing our ideas with complete freedom and promoting our songs in the way we deem best, and the best thing for us today is to make the first single available for free, as a form of gratitude to our fans.
Tell us about the production process of this album?
The last three works I actively participated in the musical production together with Daniel Felix. We have a great working harmony and with each opportunity we are getting more faithful to the sound that the band idealizes.
How was the meeting with Mad Professor?
The first thing I have to say is not about sound, it's about life. There are people out there who think they are the Pope of roots, the Pope of dub... who judge everyone's sound, saying who is pop, who is reggae, who represents, who doesn't, as if he were the owner of the world. Then you get there and come face to face with a true reggae legend, and the guy is a bundle of humility and a free head too. Life lesson for me. Now talking about sound, he mixed all the tracks that are more roots, new roots and lovers rock, as they call the more romantic ones.
First he would raise the sound of things, remove the timbres from deep in the caves, of course this was only possible because the recording we did here in São Paulo was very good, and then he would make a version for the album and other dubs, all on the spot, live. And we sat there quietly, learning. At the end of each song he asked if it was ok. We rarely ask for something to change.
Do Natiruts's tours around the world influence the new compositions?
Without a doubt. Our songs are a reflection of what we have experienced recently. That's why it usually takes us two years to launch something new.
How do you see Natiruts's relationship with stardom?
Discreet. Even though today we share the charts with the biggest national and foreign bands from other styles such as rock and hip hop, and we have one of the highest average attendance at shows in the country, we are not worried about the stardom side of things. We are a band that likes to appear at shows.There is no concern about building an image to create a myth. Our audience has always grown naturally, through songs. Better this way.
How do you classify the style of music that Natiruts plays?
Brazilian Reggae.
Click here and download the new single from Natiruts, "Raçaman".
Click here and see Natiruts live with "Natiruts Reggae Power".
THE INTERVIEW
Why Raçaman?
It is a name that has to do with our recent history. The band went through several transformations, both in its members and in the way it conducted its career, which became independent in 2002. Today, no one doubts where the bases, the hits, and the band's concept always came from.
Will the album Raçaman follow the same trend as the song that gives the album its name?
In reality, this song was born in the studio during recording. It marks a new era in the band's sound, just as it happened with "Reggae Power", but on the album we will have an overview of all the paths already explored, such as roots reggae, reggae with more Brazilian harmonies, ska, others with more modern sounds, one mixing dancehall beats with Brazilian beats, and Raçaman which has a more modern sound and slightly more direct lyrics. We like to explore this characteristic of being able to make both acidic songs and romantic songs naturally.
Tell us a little about the initiative to make the first single from Natiruts available for free?
For us, the concept of attitude has always been much more linked to action, than dressing, singing, behaving or praying in the way that was pre-defined as right. Following this thought, we had the attitude of remaining independent and today we have the possibility of expressing our ideas with complete freedom and promoting our songs in the way we deem best, and the best thing for us today is to make the first single available for free, as a form of gratitude to our fans.
Tell us about the production process of this album?
The last three works I actively participated in the musical production together with Daniel Felix. We have a great working harmony and with each opportunity we are getting more faithful to the sound that the band idealizes.
How was the meeting with Mad Professor?
The first thing I have to say is not about sound, it's about life. There are people out there who think they are the Pope of roots, the Pope of dub... who judge everyone's sound, saying who is pop, who is reggae, who represents, who doesn't, as if he were the owner of the world. Then you get there and come face to face with a true reggae legend, and the guy is a bundle of humility and a free head too. Life lesson for me. Now talking about sound, he mixed all the tracks that are more roots, new roots and lovers rock, as they call the more romantic ones.
First he would raise the sound of things, remove the timbres from deep in the caves, of course this was only possible because the recording we did here in São Paulo was very good, and then he would make a version for the album and other dubs, all on the spot, live. And we sat there quietly, learning. At the end of each song he asked if it was ok. We rarely ask for something to change.
Do Natiruts's tours around the world influence the new compositions?
Without a doubt. Our songs are a reflection of what we have experienced recently. That's why it usually takes us two years to launch something new.
How do you see Natiruts's relationship with stardom?
Discreet. Even though today we share the charts with the biggest national and foreign bands from other styles such as rock and hip hop, and we have one of the highest average attendance at shows in the country, we are not worried about the stardom side of things. We are a band that likes to appear at shows.There is no concern about building an image to create a myth. Our audience has always grown naturally, through songs. Better this way.
How do you classify the style of music that Natiruts plays?
Brazilian Reggae.
SINGLE DOWNLOAD
Click here and download the new single from Natiruts, "Raçaman".
MULTIMEDIA
Click here and see Natiruts live with "Natiruts Reggae Power".Category
#Reggae