Growing up in a Creole household, traditional Seychellois music was always going to be a huge part of our childhood.
Tropical rhythms echoed through the house most weekends (as they still do today), and we were brought up on popular local artists such as Sonny Morgan, Patrick Victor, Jean-Marc Volcy and Jocelyn Perreau as well as the more the traditional contradanse style of music played on the fiddle and accordion (a favourite with our grandmother).
As with most small island nations, music is deeply engrained in the Seychellois culture, the sound of which reflects the true melting pot of cultures we enjoy here in the Seychelles.
Commonly there are three types of traditional Seychellois music, the moutia, sega, and contredanse and you can read all about these rhythms on our website under “Food & Culture”
Seychelloise ladies dance the Sega at Carnaval
As a change to the traditional, our music blogs will focus on the new styles of Creole music currently being showcased around the globe – an expansion of traditional rhythms incorporating everything from jazz to blue, r’n’b, funk, dance and reggae.
This week our focus is on our favourite local artist, Grace Barbé, an Australian-Seychelloise just like ourselves.
Hailing from Perth, Australia and coining the musical style known as “Afro-Sega”, Grace Barbé and her band (including sister Joelle) immerse audiences a new creole sound, a seamless blend of traditional sega rhythms, East African beats, reggae vibes mixed with a touch of funk, rock and soul. It’s unlike anything you would have heard before and a real treat to the ears.
You can sample Grace Barbé’s latest album “Welele” here on her website. We also recommend you check out her first album “Kreol Daughter” while you’re at it – this has been a family favourite of ours since it came out in 2009.
Grace has performed at many major festivals across the Indian Ocean and Australia including Womadelaide, WOMAD New Zealand, Byron Bay Bluesfest and Woodford Folk Festival – not to mention more intimate gigs at pubs and clubs around the country.
Check out Grace’s website (www.gracebarbe.com) and her social media pages to see when and where you can catch this fantastic band live. Be sure to let us know what you think of Grace’s new style of Creole music.
Enjoy and WELELE!!!!!