Breaking Through The Language Barrier: Interview With Musician Joe Driscoll

From different cultures and musical backgrounds, and without a common spoken language between them, Guinean Sekou Kouyate and American Joe Driscoll unite together in their album Faya. The duo have fused together both of their vast musical influences to create a unique sound that cannot be described as one single category. Sarah Mitchell interviews Joe Driscoll about the duo’s inspirations and methods.
© Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate

‘He doesn’t speak any French, and I speak no English… but through music, we understand.’ – Sekou Kouyate

In the port city of Marseilles – home to many a nomadic soul – NY beatbox, blues and hiphop legend Joe Driscoll first met Guinean Kora star Sekou Kouyate. The two were paired up to collaborate at the French festival ‘Nuit Metis’ (Nights of Mixed Race), and though they shared no common spoken language, they encountered no obstacles communicating through their music. After a few weeks of improvising and jamming, they had found a spiritual and musical bond of kindred spirits. Faya, the resulting album is a fusion of afrobeat, hip-hop, folk, and reggae that defies simple tags or descriptions.
In their recent 2013 UK tour, Joe and Sekou captivated the crowds. At their London gig last March 16th at Rich Mix, they played with a full live band and supported from the explosive 10-piece Reggae, Hip-Hop and Afro-Beat sensation Nubiyan Twist, live electronics blended with percussion made from water from H2Drop, and Wormfood’s Bobby Gandolf playing a mixture of African music, dancehall and global party styles.
To learn more about this amazing partnership, we speak with Joe Driscoll.

Some of the songs in Faya comment on social issues like immigration, passport control, poverty and inequality. Why did you choose these? And what role does music play in spreading messages like this?
We wrote about things that we knew and experienced, things that were important to us. We’ve both travelled the world extensively, so dealing with these issues was a very important part of the experience. We had things we wanted to say about them. The message is the seed. Some people just enjoy the fruit, but we try to spread the seeds with a positive vibe.
Your newly released single ‘Faya’ bridges together different genres of music, pointing to similarities over boundaries. What do you think this represents about music and culture today and where it can go in the future?
I think stirring different cultures together is an excellent way for artists to expand their boundaries. Finding the common ground between artists of different styles is where some of the truly amazing accidents can happen. I think you are seeing more and more of it these days, technology and world travel being what it is. Hopefully it can demonstrate that our similarities are many, and that our differences can definitely be used as strengths.
You must have a collection of rich experiences from around the world. What has been your favourite or most memorable?
I think Sekou and my favourite so far was the Rift Valley Festival in Kenya. It was such an amazing festival site, on the beautiful fresh water Lake Naivasha. The amazing landscapes, all the other amazing bands; it was really a blessing to be able to travel there and play for the Kenyan people. We filmed our video ‘Passport’ there. A very good time was had by all.
Finally, where do you think your collaboration will take you next?
We’ve got so many shows booked up through the summer, so I know already – it will take us for a spin around the world! I really look forward to getting back in the studio with the full band for the next album, and seeing what sounds we will make next. I’m not sure exactly where it will take us, but I’m excited to find out.

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