Inner View with Inner Circle



Date: Sat, 07 Mar 1998
From: Sista Irie <sisirie@austin360.com>
Subject: Inner View with Inner Circle

***I would like to share this interview because it covers some of the issues discussed on the forum ... commercial radio vs. non-profit, rasta philosophy in the music, regge in the U.S. versus other parts of the world. Hope you like it. Love, Sista Irie #23


March 1, 1998

INNER VIEW WITH INNER CIRCLE
Speaking with Lancelot, Inner Circle drummer

Sista Irie:
Welcome to Austin. I, woman, give thanks for this opportunity to speak with the Inner Circle band. Inner Circle has been playing reggae music for a very long time, would you tell us a little bit about the beginning of the band and how you became known as Inner Circle?
Inner Circle:
The band began in high school. Just a thing to pass the time, have fun, play music, you know. It soon evolved into a career. Inner Circle, ever since high school, had some popularity going around Jamaica. After they realized we could make music as a profession, we came right around and started recording. Then we met Jacob Miller. The true sense of playing music professionally came about then.

Sista Irie:
Was Jacob always the forefront of the band in those days?
Inner Circle:
Yes. He had quite a chrisma.

Sista Irie:
Did he write most of the music?
Inner Circle:
No. I mean the majority of the music writers are still in the band like Ian and Touter and Roger.

Sista Irie:
You have seen the evolution of reggae music over the last twenty years. What do you think the current health or state of reggae is...how would you best describe it?
Inner Circle:
Well, for alot of people to understand, they must know where reggae is coming from. If you get into any form of music, you should really take a look at it and see where it is coming from. Reggae music has always been very experimental, it has always lent itself to many different styles of music. To see reggae music grow and branch out is almost like a tree, you know. The trunk is like the roots of reggae music and then you have the branches which is dancehall, lovers rock classic, and roots reggae.

Sista Irie:
And it seems consciousness has now infiltrated all styles of reggae music in this day and age.
Inner Circle:
Well, not necessarily. We have a song entitled "Reggae Music is Life" and that's what it is. I mean not everybody in life is conscious. You have some stupidness in love (we both are laughing at this!) Reggae music covers all sides of life.

Sista Irie:
Music is a form of art and art is an expression of life so I overstand where you are coming from. Your new c.d. is called Da Bomb. How would you best describe the creation of that c.d.?
Inner Circle:
Oh gosh, explosive! The creation of Da Bomb was alot of fun. Alot of fun! We put alot into it and we tried to reach out to everyone. There is something on Da Bomb for everybody.That is the way we went. We kind of contemplate now if that was really the best way to go about it. We have discussions but I feel it was the way to go because when you come to see an Inner Circle concert, it doesn't matter what style of music you listen to, we have something for you. Da Bomb expresses that.

Sista Irie:
I love the new c.d. It has a great deal of personality, street talk and vitality in it. What is your favorite song on this c.d.?
Inner Circle:
Hmmm. Well, my favorite song is "It's Not About Romance." That's going to be our next single.

Sista Irie:
Very cool. I have a copy of it and will play it as soon as we finish this interview.
Inner Circle:
Yes, well, have you listened to it?

Sista Irie:
Yes!
Inner Circle:
What do you think it means?

Sista Irie:
Oh well, hmmmm...why don't you tell us what it is about?

Inner Circle:
No, I kind of want everyone to listen to it first and next time they see me, I will tell them what it means. I am almost sure most people will get it wrong.

Sista Irie:
Oh man, I think I better go back and listen to it some more.(We both start laughing) I love music that makes people think. Reggae music has always made people stop and think about life.
Inner Circle:
A clue about the song would be - don't take it for granted, that it is being sung in a certain direction. You kind of have to see it from a different concept to know where it is coming from. That's the only clue I am going to give you.

Sista Irie:
So you have to stretch your mind beyond the box?
Inner Circle:
You know it's not that big of a stretch, it's just that people are just going to jump to conclusions. I don't really blame them for it because it's a little different. I would love to tell you but I want everyone to think about it first.

Sista Irie:
O.K. You will have to call back and tell us...
Inner Circle;
Yes..yes, we will have to give an update interview..(laughing) A girl called in a few days ago in Melbourne, Florida and got it right away. She hit it right on the head. I said "good for you."

Sista Irie:
Wow, must have knocked you out! Maybe people are smarter than you think! (laughing all the way)
Inner Circle:
(Laughing) Yeah, it felt good that she really got it. I mean no, no, no I don't really under-rate them that way. I was just surprised.

Sista Irie:
So, you are just starting your tour. Is this just a United States tour?
Inner Circle;
Yes. This is strictly a U.S. tour. We haven't toured the U.S. in nearly four years. Sorry! But, our popularity outside the U.S. is massive. You tend to get alot more requests so we have been taking care of business outside the U.S. for awhile.

Sista Irie:
Tell me some more about that. I am curious about how reggae is received in other parts of the world.
Inner Circle:
Much better than it is here.

Sista Irie:
How do you explain that?
Inner Circle:
Radio.

Sista Irie:
Radio. Commercial radio?
Inner Circle:
Commercial radio inside the U.S. is very formatted. Rock and roll, R & B, gospel, easy listening, CHR, pop radio and where does reggae come? Most of the PD's don't know where to put it and if they do play a song, it is almost like that song just sounds good and they don't really stay on top of reggae and add reggae to their format. In Europe and South America, radio is just radio. It just plays music. It doesn't matter what style the music. Right behind the reggae music, you hear hip hop, behind that you hear classical, then polka and all these music..any good music has a chance of being a hit.The key word is good music. That is how music should be played...because it is good.

Sista Irie:
It seems like in this country the non-commercial radio stations are carrying the load of introducing artists.
Inner Circle:
Yeah, but the children don't listen to those radio stations. It's usually a small audience which is why we are having a small tour. That explains that.

Sista Irie:
So, we are really lucky to have you here in Austin. But Austin, loves good music! We are known for that.
Inner Circle:
Well, we have always loved Austin. It is a nice little town.If Marcia Ball is listening, we want you to come to the show tonight. We miss touring the U.S. and this is part of the reason we are back on the road in the U.S.

Sista Irie:
Down the road, what would you like the legacy of Inner Circle to be?
Inner Circle:
I would like to know that we were successful in spreading reggae music in a different concept. Most people think of reggae music as Bob Marley. They think marijuana and then they think, straight roots, one drop as reggae music. We want to show them more than that.

Sista Irie:
And what is it to you?
Inner Circle:
What is it to me? It's life as I said.

Sista Irie:
One more question. The philosophy of Rastafari and how deeply inbibed it is in the music...do you think the younger generation overstands the concept?
Inner Circle:
I don't think so and I don't expect them to. Whoever is into Rastafari should study and deal with it. I don't think the music is responsible to develop their beliefs. I think reggae music is for everyone and should stay that way.

Sista Irie:
Very good. Very good answer. I want to thank you so very much and I am looking forward to the concert tonight. My blessings to Inner Circle. Jah Guide and protect.
Inner Circle:
Easy.


Sista Irie.

Posted: Fri - February 14, 2003 at 10:57 AM      

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