Photo by Zach Smith
Bob Marley penned the lyric, “One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.”
This line of creative brilliance rings true for the people of Sierra Leone. During the 1990s, the West African country of Sierra Leone was decimated by war, forcing millions to flee their homes. The majority of people fled to neighboring Guinea, eventually ending up in refugee camps.
At the refugee camps, musicians banded together and began to entertain their fellow brothers and sisters. Word spread and a Canadian relief agency donated two beat up electric guitars, and a single microphone. American filmmakers Zach Niles and Banker White took notice and were inspired by their story and ended up filming them for three years as they moved from camp to camp.
In 2006, the musicians returned to their home capital of Freetown as the Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars with a debut album: Living Like A Refugee. Currently, the Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars are touring in support of their brand-new record Radio Salone, which features more of a retro sound. The current lineup of the band consists of Reuben Koroma (vocals), Black Nature (vocals, congas), Ashade Pearce (lead guitar), Jahson Bull (keyboards, rhythm guitar), Dennis Sannoh (bass) and Christopher Davies (drums).
Jambands.com spoke with the senior member of the band, Reuben Koroma.
Take me back to the refugee camp and the decision to play music at that moment in time?
In the refugee camp, I played music because I wanted to reform my life. I was highly frustrated being separated from my country, my usual contacts, my siblings and everything. Instead of thinking about what happened to me, I thought that I had to do something to heal myself. That was the main reason why I decided to play music.
What type of jobs did most of you have earlier in your lives?
I was playing music full-time before the war separated us. I was playing in a band called The Emperors. When the war broke out, I fled but some of the band members remained there. So the band broke up. Christopher, our drummer, works at the Immigration office in Sierra Leone. The rest of us have been musicians for a long time.
Before the Canadian Relief Agency donated instruments, what did you use?
We used only one acoustic guitar, and improvised percussion on empty oil containers, two hubcaps for a high hat, and x-ray cards as a drum. And the voices.
Did you sense any special magic or vibe when you guys started playing in the camps?
Before the war, I played music for my living, to support my family. When I was playing music in the refugee camp, I was playing to make myself feel happy. We didn’t get paid, we just played for happiness. It was only when we gained recognition in the camp that we were hired to play by the relief organizations.
What did it mean to you personally to provide so much joy to your fellow refugees during that 8-year period?
I was doing something for my people because they needed help at that point in time. I felt that I was saving them from their situation.
Do you still get that same joy today playing for live playing audience across the world?
Yes. I still have that joy because it’s something that has grown in me. Seeing people smile, jump, and dance is a very great pleasure to me.
What was it like for the band when you returned to Freetown?
When we returned, we had already recorded our first album Living Like A Refugee. It was something that I could survive on. I hoped that we could take care of ourselves through album sales. And also, for me to be reunited with my old friends and siblings, it was a powerful reunion. I felt at home after a long time in exile.
How is life in Sierra Leone today?
Life is better now than before because there is peace and stability. We are seeing some development taking place, like the road infrastructure, electricity, and many other things.
Going back to the 2006 album, were those songs inspired by what happened?
Yes. All we put together was to share what we had been through with people.
What was the Jam Cruise 2011 experience like?
It was something very new to me, especially being on a boat so sophisticated. I’ve never been on a big boat. The boat was sailing, many live performances, and no sleep. It was a happy expression of people because it was a bunch of music lovers and the music made them happy.
What are some of your favorite tracks off the new record, Radio Salone, and why?
I love “Gbara Case” because it’s really African. Another one is “Reggae Music” because it’s very strong reggae music. And I love “Mampamah” because it talks about palm wine and palm wine is my favorite beverage in the world. It’s a local drink that’s very popular in our country.
You went back to more of an old school sound for this record, how come?
Because we want our music to at least be natural, more natural than being dressed with modern effects. We want our music to have that natural sensation.
How did you go about creating that natural sensation?
It’s just a natural feel, it’s part of our talent. We just think and create something that feels natural.
When a band has been through so much together, does that make the musical collaboration come together that much easier?
Yes, because we have lived and practiced together for quite a long time. That’s why the band is so tight.
You always said Music is a weapon, can you explain?
Music is a weapon because it helps to bring changes. Most people are inarticulate and cannot speak for themselves. With music, you can speak for the people. Some people don’t have time to read, listen to the radio, or watch television, but they have time to listen to music. As long as the lyrics are positive, then it will help to bring positive changes.
Are there specific positive changes that the band has helped to come about?
When we were in the refugee camp, certain malpractices were taking place in the distribution of food. When I wrote “Living Like a Refugee,” it talked about these malpractices, and I think it minimized the problem. I wrote songs about the problems of war, which the young people listened to, and they got the message that war is not a good thing.
A lot of your music is so positive and hopeful, how were you able to do that as a group, despite all the hardship you’ve been through?
It’s just maybe a natural gift. We just think of making ourselves happy even in a difficult situation. If someone lives in a situation and you play sad music, you will make him more sad. If you play happy music, it will help to uplift his spirit.
And what’s next for the band?
Our main aim is to build a music school to help the youths who might want to make music their career.
