Fedor Tot speaks with the internationally renowned Tuareg group Tinariwen about their record and the spirit of resistance.
How would you describe the new album Elwan?
Elwan, which means ‘elephants’, is a metaphor directed to those people of influence in our country’s geo-political stage. Artistically speaking, we’re very pleased with this new album, and it faithfully illustrates our style. The recording sessions for Elwan were an excellent experience, tinted with great encounters and a nice evolution within the band!
You have recorded many of your albums not in studios but in the desert. Why?
It’s because of the inspiration and the way we spend time in the desert. For us, it’s the best way to feel united, as if we’re behind closed doors, or out on a boat, it’s all of us gathered for an adventure. The magic of music is not something we can invent, we have to live it!
How important is the environment for you when it comes to making music?
The inspiration required to write music can happen at any place and any time. Sometimes life and lived experiences leave a trace in our minds and a desire to share these feelings is born.
Emaar and parts of Elwan were recorded in the Joshua Tree Desert in California rather than in the Sahara due to the political situation there. Is there a difference between the two deserts when you’re recording there?
They’re very different for many reasons, especially in terms of logistics, but also because of the important historical contributions that the United States of America has made to music. So, for us it was a time to embed ourselves more concretely within this American history of music.
Your music has often been seen as playing a part in protests and rebellion in favour of the Tuareg people. How far do you think music can go in having a concrete and positive political influence in this respect?
Protests or a sort of rebellion aren’t really the right words from our point of view because we really make poetry in order to awaken the conscience of our people by using all of the experiences we’ve had all around the world over the past 20 years. We aspire strongly for world peace for the whole world, and we work to fuel this hope!
You have had guest appearances from some great and varied artists on your albums in recent years, such as Kyp Malone from Science on the Radio, Mark Lanegan, and Kurt Vile. What is it like collaborating with people from a different musical tradition to yours?
These encounters happened naturally, each one artistically contributed what they felt within themselves, and went with what the music evoked quite simply! Each collaborator went in their own direction and they all have a different feeling, there’s no such thing as chance in it.
Is there anything you’ve learnt from these collaborations, and do you think you’ve taught your collaborators anything in return?
They’ve mainly just been beautiful encounters; they’re atmospheres that allow us to find new ways to live in this world!
Tell us something about Tamasheq, your native language.
It’s a very ancient language, loaded to the brim with history, transmitted through poetry and all the mechanisms that awaken the imagination.
Translation from French by Francois Declerq
Tinariwen, Tramshed, Cardiff, Thurs 27 Apr. Tickets: £20. Info: www.tramshedcardiff.com