WOMAD is upon us again and the line up for the 2008 event is an absolute beauty. If there is one band to check out it the unmistakeable distorted rock riffs and funked-up Afro-Cuban rhythms of Watussi (pronounced Wah-too-See). Watussi are another unique group to come out of the international cultural hotpot that is Sydney’s Bondi beach
Lead by Colombian born Oscar Jimenez, it wasn’t long after the first few gigs as a fully formed eight piece that their wild live shows, energizing original compositions and ability to destroy genres saw them gain a huge following and headlining festivals. From Peat’s Ridge, Great Escape, Sydney Festival and national tours, Watussi have forged an enviable live reputation Australia wide.
The mix of rhythmic percussion with raw guitars and bass gives Watussi a unique edge that defines the experience of one of their live performances. It is not uncommon to see the band jam on stage with a Samba drumming group or guest MC. Front man Oscar Jimenez is amped for their WOMAD debut.
How’s your day been? “Very, very hectic,” Oscar said. “I don’t know if it’s been the full moon or something but it’s been crazy with everything from publicity for WOMAD to rehearsing with the band. We’re on the way to a festival in Canberra but that aside it’s been a wonderful experience.”
Do you get sick of doing media interviews? “This has been the busiest time I’ve had for interviews,” Oscar mentioned. “I’ve never experienced doing so many, one after the other. It’s part of the job and I’m prepared for it.”
Are you looking forward to playing at WOMAD? “I really am,” Oscar said. “The whole band is really excited about it. We’re preparing to make this a big show as it is our international festival of this calibre. To be sharing the stage with so many amazing artists is a great opportunity for us.”
How do you get invited to play, do you submit and application or do you get head hunted so to speak? “It’s half and half,” Oscar answered. “We applied the year before but I think it was good for us at the time that we didn’t get through as it gave us the chance to continue working hard on our live show. After playing a lot of shows then we were asked. I think this year we were in a very lucky position and like everything in life you don’t realise that things happen for a reason.”
Are other opportunities starting to come your way now? “Totally,” Oscar agreed. “We played some festivals in New Zealand and some other big festivals in Sydney. All these experiences mean that we are able to play WOMAD at a high standard and this will be great for us.”
For punters heading down to WOMAD how would you describe your band’s music to them? “Well,” Oscar paused. “It is difficult to describe the music but I can assure you that the show will keep you dancing the whole way through. Even with our music and even though the language maybe a barrier for some people the message I think will be understood. Our set is an hour long and we give everything to the audience.”
Do you approach playing a festival any differently to a club show? “With smaller venues you have to think it differently as there is closer contact,” Oscar thought. “The energy is the same even though the stage maybe tiny when you start jumping around. The only difference with the big stage is the quantity of people and the amount of space we have. We are looking to move forward and start playing bigger shows to reach more people.”
What do you like about playing festivals like WOMAD? “The festival atmosphere is amazing,” Oscar believed. “It’s not just about one band or all the bands, it’s about the festival as a community and sharing an understanding. Festivals are a great way to communicate messages about climate change and many other political issues that are happening right now in Australia and around the world. With a festival like this it is a great opportunity to get our message through.”
Stay tuned to Fasterlouder for all the coverage from WOMADelaide 08.
