Stars in their native Zambia during the 1970s but unknown internationally, word of mouth spread about WITCH in the decades since they split, making them standard-bearers for the sound known as Zamrock. Reunited for a decade now, and visiting Cardiff this month, Billy Edwards speaks to the band’s keyboardist Patrick Mwondela.
Founded in 1972 and by most measures the most significant group to emerge from the early-70s music scene in Zambia, dubbed ‘Zamrock’, WITCH soundtracked that nation’s post-independence golden age, forging traditional African rhythm-led songs with the sounds of Western rock radio. Patrick Mwondela joined the group in 1980 as WITCH’s keyboard player during their transition from hard rock to disco and funk. Changing national politics led to a split in the mid-80s, before original singer Emanuel ‘Jagari’ Chanda reformed the band with Patrick in 2012.
“How much do you know?” Patrick says, when I request his personal definition of Zamrock. Such a multifaceted story was perfect fodder for a documentary; WITCH: We Intend To Cause Havoc was released in 2019. “We decided to do a documentary just to cement the history of the band. In the pre-internet days, that history was being lost. We managed to capture it.”
Assisted by international crate diggers and DJs discovering dusty copies of their albums, it has proved another string to WITCH’s bow, now experiencing a popularity previously unknown. “I don’t have the word to describe the feeling,” Patrick beams. “When you have, time and time again, young people in their twenties coming to you and saying, ‘We love your music, we’ve bought all your records,’ and they’re singing the words… oh, my goodness! And these are not Zambians, these are white kids all over the world.”
Away from the band, and in tandem with its revival, Patrick has lived a different, rather quieter, life for several decades. After WITCH’s mid-1980s collapse, he emigrated to the UK, taking a job as a data protection consultant.
“Within my day job, I’ve worked in the NHS and freelancing. I’ve been going around the country, working for different organisations.” He notes that there’s more crossover between his clients and gig-going fans than one might imagine. “I’ve met great people interested in my music. I have a large following from my NHS colleagues!”
What is immediately apparent is Patrick’s gratitude. Despite the years in between, he absolutely has more to give. “Often, when musicians perform, their fans want to worship their idols. We tend to turn it around and make it about them. The number of times I’ve seen faces just glow when you pass! We’ve realised that this is a gift from God; it’s a gift that we can share with everybody.”
Here, his concept of live performance is illuminated: a creative and active interaction between the artist and their recipient. This allows WITCH to throw decades off their shoulders and play just as riotously as before. “I find myself energised. Especially when I talk to people. We talk about life; I think that’s the best part for me. A lot of people come to shows to experience the energy and the warmth.”
The upcoming tour will allow WITCH to showcase their first album since 1984: Zango, a term which translates as ‘meeting place’. Though Patrick feels honoured to “hold the torch to represent the music that was,” he also admits to feeling doubt before entering the studio. “I’ll be very honest, it was scary! I was involved with the last two albums of the original band; each time, we were organised and ready. For this one, we thought we’re going to try something and see what happens.”
But what lies in the future of WITCH? “Obviously, we’re looking at another album. And we’re just going to see where it’s going to take us.” To conclude our conversation, Patrick leaves a tantalising hint at the depth of his spiritualism: “I think, musically, there’s something that I have yet to express.”
WITCH, The Globe, Cardiff, Tue 30 July.
Tickets: £24. Info: here
words BILLY EDWARDS
