INDIGENOUS — Mainstreaming The Local Under Ground by Anya C. Gonzales
Around 300 Trinbagonian songs go unnoticed by the masses every year says Rubadiri Victor, musician and president of the Artist’s Coalition of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT).
According to Victor the songs are either not recorded or only a handful of loyal fans purchase or listen to these recordings.
So he and his colleague, Sheldon Manoo, tired of seeing talent slipping under the carpet, created a 2-hour radio show designed for the specific purpose of showcasing Trinidadian musical brilliance.
The name of the show: INDIGENOUS — Mainstreaming The Local Under Ground.
Victor and Manoo had been in negotiations with the Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) for about six months. Finally, on 17 May 2012, they got their wish. Every Thursday from 8pm to 10pm, on the Talk City 91.1FM station, the hosts play only local music.
This, however, is not the feature that makes the program truly special.
Through “Indigenous” all artists seeking exposure, gain the opportunity to have the general public listen to their music. To be considered, they can drop off a selection of their best material at the temporary home of the ACTT, which is located at the Ministry of Social Development on Independence Square on the third floor. Alternatively, they can send their music to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Artistes need not worry if their music does not fall under what is traditionally classified as Trini style. To Victor, Trinibagonian music is “music made by a Trini”. He says that Trini artists bring their own sensibility to their work, a discernment that is no doubt rooted in the Trinidadian life experience.
And music not necessarily created by a Trini, but that has a distinctive Trini flavor: the rhythm, the way we serenade with drums, the special way we improvise on a guitar — that is Trini music as well.
He and his colleague will accept Trini Rock, Trini Reggae, Trini Funk, Trini Fusion, Trini Hip-Hop, Trini R&B, Trini Jazz, Trini Electronica, Trini Rapso and many other genres on the show.
Victor feels very confident about the last two weeks. The content he has received is an interesting range of musical genres that truly represent the talent and diversity of the islands.
This is definitely something I think artists of any age should participate in. The opportunity to showcase music on a large-scale is a huge deal. Who knows what this kind of exposure could lead to? It is definitely an exciting step in the right direction.
Posted in on 06th Jun 2012
