Interview by Wanda De Verelle-Hill
Fyah Walk will be playing at the brilliant reggae, soul and dub event Island Vibe Festival on Stradbroke Island this October (2012). We caught up with lead singer (and guitarist) Simon Jerrems for a chat…
LMM: So you have a few new members in the band, can you introduce them?
Simon: Yes, on bass is Anando Bharti who is a long-standing player of over 40 years experience and performing with a multitude of bands in and outside Australia. Then Carla Versitano who is our backing vocalist who was the lead for band called The Witness and has also appeared on a host of Australian independent releases, she has great vocal tone and energy. On lead guitar is Tom Kelly, originally from the UK with a background in jazz and reggae…he has a great passion for guitarists like Ernest Ranglin and the early reggae pioneers of the 70s.
LMM: Your lyrics are always interesting and inspiring, what are you writing about at the moment?
Simon: I am writing so many different songs and subjects. I have a song that traces the history of the Christian religion and the manipulations and the actual business of religion and the affect on the modern day. I have also written ‘devotional’ type lyrics that give thanks for life its self. There is so much that I am inspired by so it’s hard to encapsulate but the lyrics are becoming more and more satisfying to me over the years.
LMM: How is the album you have in production coming along? Have you got a release date set?
Simon: We just finished recording an extra 2 songs and we keep adding to the album so it’s taking the time that is needed. I like this album more than the last two. I decided to not have a specific date for release this time and to just let it come together naturally. The release looks to be ready for January and we will be touring from then though Feb next year in Sydney, Tasmania, Melbourne and of course our usual places like Byron Bay and Brisbane.
LMM: You use some unique vocal styles in your singing can you tell us about their origins?
Simon: Most of my influences come from Jamaican artists like Dennis Brown, Ijahman Levi, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), Peter Tosh, Winston Rodney (Burning Spear) but I also am influenced by newer artists like Tarrus Riley, Luciano, Bushman, Capleton, Jah Cure, Sizzla, Natural Black, Lutan Fyah. I am greatly influenced by artists/bands from the Virgin Islands like Midnite, Ikahba, Dezarie, ARMY, Batch and Bambu Station. I like the ‘waterhouse style’ that was developed by Jamaican artists like Michael Rose, Junior Reid and Barrington Levi it has a middle- eastern feel to it in the way intonations follow the middle eastern type scale.
LMM: Who are you most excited about seeing perform at Island Vibe this year?
Simon: Well, that’s a hard question to answer cos there are alot of great artists there. I really like Darky Roots
:: What track changed your life ::
’Book of life’ by I-Wayne
:: Biggest influence ::
Dennis Brown
:: Name a band or artist we should checkout ::
in general, ARMY, at the festival, Darky Roots
:: Favourite Quote ::
“We must become something we have never been and for which our education and experience and environment have ill-prepared us. We must become bigger than we have been, more courageous, greater in spirit, larger in outlook. We must become members of a new race, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the human community.”
:: Three words to describe the last few years ::
Challenge, enchanting, revealing
:: Three words to describe the year ahead ::
Exciting, Full-joy, intriguing
LMM: Thanks Simon, we look forward to seeing you at the festival.
Don’t miss Fyah Walk at:
Festival News: Island Vibe Festival 2012 – First Lineup Announcement
FRIDAY 26th – SUNDAY 28th OCTOBER 2012
More Info at www.islandvibe.com.au
www.facebook.com/pages/Fyah-Walk/29258129803
Related:
* Read our Interview: Peter Hunt – Kooii… HERE
* Read our Interview with Charles Wall (aka Bobby Alu) – OKA… HERE