Sparrowroots at Roots On 66 Music Festival in Victorville CA with Nattali Rize
Sparrowroots is a music producer and bass player from Jamaica. He is best know for playing with Australian superstar Nattali Rize. He recently started a new music production project Afirootz, and I had the opportunity to sit down with him to talk about the legacy of Bob Marley, New projects, how to keep Jamaican Roots Music alive and much more
Ques. What are the plans for the future?
Ans. The road ahead has miles of the unknown and 2020 has shown us that change is indeed inevitable and on this journey of life we will only be remembered by how we have impacted someone's life along the way. One of the ways I plan to do so is through positive and uplifting music. I have now started a new project called Afirootz Production which is a recording studio and production house that is geared to embrace roots and culture through the art of music. A platform where myself and other individuals can express and share their musical talents with the world so that our present and future generation can be inspired and motivated while listening and skanking to the music while undertaking their daily activities.
Ques. What would be your advice for new roots and dancehall bands/artists that want to keep the message and the music alive?
Ans. Make good music that transcends borders. There are countless artists out there but only a few that will get airplay and are able to spark the interest of international promoters and brands that will book them for festivals and other events. Be original and create music not only for your peers but also for music for all ages. If a baby can listen to your music then by the time those kids get to your great grandparent's age, your music would have been around for decades. Make music not just for live performances and radio play but also tracks that can be in movies, video games, or even on a flight playlist. Another advice is to learn the business of music and ensure that everything is transparent at the inception. Ever too often new bands/artists emerge with great potential but never really ascertain this knowledge and as a result band members/artists and managements tend to separate after a while which prevents them from having a long-lasting music career.
Ques. What do you think reggae music would be like today if Bob Marley was still alive?
Ans. Well if he was alive in the flesh, the message would have been the same and many of the younger generations like myself would have been able to learn more in-depth about our reggae music and culture directly from him by seeing Bob and his band performing live or by asking him questions that were never covered in interviews that you watch online. He died young at the age of 36 but he left a rich legacy that still lives on today through his children and other individuals who knew him personally. Even artists that never met him still perform his songs live and continue to spread his message of love to the world via reggae music.
Ques. What was been your favorite show/tour?
Ans. There were a lot of great shows/tours each one brought their memorable moments however one of the more memorable tours was a winter tour with Tribal Seeds, Raging Fyah, and Nattali Rize. That was my first experience with snow and to date it only one at that magnitude below zero. Also, it was a great joy to be touring with my musical brothers and school mates from Edna Manley School of Music and I also got the chance to gain some long-lasting friendships from members of the Tribal Seeds family.
Ques. What was it like growing up in Jamaica?
Ans. Growing up in Jamaica I had some fun experiences, music everywhere, there are various beaches, rivers, and waterfalls. If its a very hot day you could just go for a swim in the most backyard, you can find fruit trees and ground provisions, so there wasn’t a lot you would need from the supermarket to cook your dinner or as we would say ‘’Run A Boat ‘’. I spent most of my childhood days living in Kingston and Spanish Town where I went to school and spent my summer holidays with family in the countryside. As with everywhere in the world, we do have our fair share of struggles and economic issues however Jamrock is an experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Ques. What got you involved in music in the first place?
Ans. I was blessed to grow up in a musical family. My father was a musician, he played the acoustic guitar and keyboard at church and my first instrument was the recorder at grade one in primary school. I was more interested in drums when I was younger so I would sit and mimic the drummer while he was playing and tried to do exactly what he did. One day the drummer was absent from church and there was no one there to play it. I was 8 years old at the time and filled with anxiety and nervousness however I was brave so I got up from my seat and went straight on the drums at the beginning of a song and started playing and tried to recall the things he did. Everyone was surprised, I even surprised myself also at how well I was able to play for the entire service without any form of practice besides air drums. That day was my debut. My father also drove the delivery truck for a company that provided backline and P/A system for all the main music festivals and shows in Jamaica and he would take me along with him to some of these shows. This allowed me to see an artist like Papa San and this band and Brian McKnight and his band perform live to name a few.
Ques. Do you play with anyone else besides Nattali Rize?
Ans. Yes, I do, for the past 3 years, I have been touring with Nattali Rize, before that I played for Mavado. I have worked with pioneers of the reggae music industry, namely Half Pint and Sly Dunbar ( of the renowned duo Sly & Robbie). Recording sessions for tracks featuring Alborosie, Jessie Royal, Jah9, Konshens, Sizzla, Mystikal Revolution to name a few. To date, I'm involved with various projects and play with the Altitude Band that does corporate gigs and shows in some of Jamaica’s most prestigious resorts such as Sandals and Secrets Resort and Spa.
Ques. How do you feel about the internet in the music business?
Ans. The internet has revolutionized the music business. It created a platform where individuals can be able to learn, create, and share content freely and efficiently with just a click of a button. This intern allows artists and musicians to monetize their work besides live performances. Online streaming has now become the main way for people in the music business to stay connected with their audience during this crazy pandemic and physical distancing so in a sense the internet is now an anchor that is preventing the music business from collapsing in this time.
Ques. What new music do you like?
Ans. There are a lot of new music that I like, so many artists I can name. Third World's new album More Work to be Done, Mortimer’s Ep, Kumar’s Kulture Walk, Chronixx new song Eternal Light, Yardcore -Ready Now Nattali Rize’s Fear and Dread, Dubklaat Burning Fire feat. Zugg Dan and Nattali Rize, Lila lké - I Spy, Heavyweight Rockaz & Jesse Royal - Sweet Sensation, Yaniss Odua -Le Chant De L’humanité, Alborosie - Unprecedented Time, Buju Banton and John Legend - Memories and the list goes on.
Ques. Who are some musical icons that influence you?
Ans. Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare (Taxi Gang), Black Uhuru, Burning Spear, The Wailers, Third World, Steel Pulse, Inna Circle, Jimmy Cliff, UB40, The Marley Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Victor Wooten are some musical icons that influenced me.
Ques. Favorite venue to play and why?
Ans. Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of my favorites, It's an open-air venue built into a rock structure. It has a great ambiance and the stage is not too far away from your audience which can be up to 9000.
Ques. How has this quarantine affected you?
Ans. The quarantine affected me in various ways, I am unable to travel freely both locally and internationally due to flight restrictions in and out of the country and frequent curfews that started from 6 pm - 6 am to help reduce the spread of the virus. As a musician, your primary source of income is through live performances and with shows and tours being canceled all around the world due to public gathering restrictions that can be a bit of a strain. However, on a more positive note its as given me a lot more time to spend with my family, learn new skills, and to get some new and older productions done and for that I’m thankful.
Ques. What projects have you been working on (if any) during this off time?
Ans. I have been working on my new project Afirootz Production. Ques. In your opinion how is Jamaican reggae different from California/USA non-roots reggae? Ans. The difference is Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music, a gift to the world. Jamaica’s reggae often brings the daily experiences of the people and it is the voice for many that would like to get their messages heard but are unable to do so. The other thing is the Feel. As Bob Marley once said ''This music can be copied you know, but is not copy do it, Its the Feel. This music carries a feel and if you ask plenty of musicians they know it, but they can’t do it’’.
Ques. When can we expect new music from you/Nattali Rize?
Ans. I'm looking forward to releasing some new music from my Afirootz project by the end of the year. Nattali Rize just releases a new single called Worldwide Rebellion from the new upcoming album.
Check out his new music production project Afirootz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afirootz
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