If there was ever a time to learn about the power of music, it’s right now.
Although Calypso music – maracas and all – hasn’t particularly taken centre stage in the music industry, award-winning musical prodigy Juan Vesuvius (aka NZ's Barnie Duncan) is arriving at Brisbane Powerhouse to push the unorthodox genre into the spotlight.
He’s fresh from his home country of Venezuela, ready to bring the wonder and excitement of calypso beats down under with a part-dance party and part-music lesson.
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What do you love so much about Calypso music, Juan?
I love that it tells a story. Is a like a musical newspaper. Is good lyrics. Like early reggae, a way for one village to let another village know what is going down through the use of the song. And the DJ who travels around on a big beautiful truck with many decorated speakers on it from town to town. This and also is good for sex.
This isn't your typical music style; where did your passion for the genre come from?
Well in Venezuela it is the typical music style – we are in the Caribbean! Typical is depend on where you come from, no?
What can audiences expect at ‘Calypso Nights’? How do you want them to feel when it’s over?
They can expect to laugh very much, to learn very much, and to want to dance very much. At then end of the one hour, people very many times don't want to leave the building. And I have to keep playing Calypso records for them otherwise they will break my maracas.
© Vicki LeopoldTell me a bit about your upbringing and how that fed your passion for Calypso.
Well I grew up being like the shadow for my older brother, Tito. He was a DJ as well. I used to go the fiestas with him and watch how people lose control and go crazy for dancing. We have our own style of Calypso in Venezuela called Calypso de Callao, but for me personal I like the stuff from Trinidad. These islands are very close to us in Venezuela. You can jump there almost. So I grew up wanting to be DJ. And also my papa gave me some maracas when I was very little guys so I am always shaking, shaking. Being a DJ is the greatest thing in the world to me.
Your fashion sense is something of a spectacle. Where do you get your designs?
Gracias. I have a special person who make my shirts. Her name is Natalia del Aguardiente and her brother is a famous fashionista. I sometime do male model shows for him. I buy my pantalones from a lady shop. Maybe sometimes H&M because I need them to be tiiiiight.
Lots of people have referred to you as a 'loveable idiot'; how do you feel about the title?
I feel very nice about this. They say idiot – OK, but that is because they think I don't know somethings. Maybe I don't. But they say I am loveable – and this is very nice. Who doesn't want to be loved?
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If you could play one song – Calypso-style or not – for the rest of your career, which would it be and why?
Just one song, over and over, every day for the rest of my life? Carumba – this is hard. I would not get hired anymore as a DJ. So maybe I would need a new career. Maybe 'Careless Whisper' by George Michael. Then I could just be used on romantic TV commercials or pop up at restaurants to serenade couples having a difficult first date.
Why do you think there’s no Calypso music in the charts?
Hombre, which charts???? Have you looked at the Trinidad and Tobago Top 40 lately? Or in Venezuela?? There is Calypso and also Soca – which is like the fast, younger cousin of Calypso. As for why not here in Australia? I think that record companies have much more control over what people get to listen to on the radio here. So they control what is in the charts. But I have gone to clubs and heard Soca and Calypso here in Australia; in Melbourne, and in Fremantle. Maybe is more underground here. Just for the cool kids, right guys? ;)
Do you think it deserves a place among the likes of Adele and Justin Bieber? (If not, more so)
Well, it does have such a place, in its homeland. You know Calypso has been very popular all over the world. You might know a guy called Harry Belafonte? He was a Calypso musician. Very good one. Not even the best one, but a very good one. He was very popular all over the world. I think his impression will last longer than Justin Bieber or Adele.
What else are you looking forward to seeing at Wonderland Festival?
There are so many great beautiful people to see at this festival. 'Die Rotten Punkte', 'Who Is Dani Cabs', 'WOMANz', also this guy Barnie Duncan is doing a very beautiful show called '...him'. So much beautiful great. I urge you all to spend all of your savings in one month of party!
'Calypso Nights' performs Brisbane Powerhouse 17-20 December as part of Wonderland Festival, which runs 3-20 December.
