Diaspora artists Cold Specks and Estère to tour Africa for first time

Estère and Cold Specks will both be performing at Azgo in Mozambique, Bushfire in Swaziland and in South Africa at Zakifo in Durban and the Good Luck Bar in Johannesburg. Estère will do a second gig in Maputo, while Cold Specks will also perform at Sakifo in Reunion.

Estère plays a variety of instruments (including bass, synths, drums, guitar, keyboard, vocals and anything else that might take her fancy), then layers her production with pulsating rhythms and evocative melodies that adhere to the genre of “Electric Blue Witch hop”. Though based in New Zealand, she has a growing international profile, thanks to positive reviews in influential media outlets, French distribution of her first LP and supporting slots for American stars Erykah Badu and Aloe Blacc and a collaboration with US rapper Oddisee. He father is originally from Cameroon.

Watch her perform her song ‘Culture Clash’, which speaks about her mixed ancestry, in the video below.

Joining Estere in Southern Africa will be Cold Specks from Canada, who parents come from Somalia. Her 2012 debut album, I Predict a Graceful Expulsion!, was hailed as a masterful and wholly original debut, and was shortlisted for a Juno award and Polaris Prize. In a style described as “doom-soul”, Cold Specks has worked with American producer Moby (on his 2013 album Innocents) and was invited to play with Joni Mitchell on the folk icon’s 70th birthday. Like Estere, Cold Specks has a growing profile in North America and Europe and is now looking looking to grow her fanbase in Africa. She will be launching a new album around May this year and will use her first African tour to promote the album. Watch her video for ‘Blank Maps’ below.

Both artists spoke to Music In Africa recently to give us a preview of what it’s in store for their upcoming tours of Africa.

Music In Africa: What is your relationship to Africa? When was the last time you were here, and have you performed here before?

Estère: My father comes from Cameroon, I have a lot of family still living there - but this will be my first time coming to Africa.

Cold Specks: My parents are from Mogadishu. They relocated to Canada in the late 80s. I was born in Toronto, but grew up surrounded by a vibrant Somali community. It has never been quite safe enough for my family to return in my lifetime. I have never been to Somalia or set foot on African soil. I'm really looking forward to visiting on this trip.

MIA: Who are your favourite African musicians (past, present and future)?

E: I have so many - one's off the top of my head are Miriam Makeba, Salif Keita and Fela Kuti

CS: My father was very involved in the Somali music scene before the war. I was raised on Somali music. Saado Ali, Iftin, and Waaberi are my favourites.

MIA: What influence would you say your African ‘roots’ have had on your music (if any)?

E: I think the type of rhythms and melodies I naturally gravitate towards resonate somewhat from the ancestry deep in my bones

CS: Well, my father is a singer who sang Somali songs to me all my life. I am certain that seeped into my songwriting and singing style.

MIA: Do you consider yourself part of the African diaspora? If so, what is your local diaspora scene/community like, particularly in terms of music?

E: Yes to some degree, but the family I grew up in in New Zealand have been there for generations so it was always interesting for me to navigate my sense of belonging. There are definitely a few people of African ancestry making great music in NZ - but there is not a large community.

CS: Toronto is a very multicultural city. There many African communities. I grew up around kids from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria and many other countries. The music scene in Toronto is only now slowly becoming more diverse. It definitely used to be very white-male dominated. I definitely found it difficult as a woman of colour from an immigrant background to break through. It wasn't until I moved to London and found success there that Canadians started to pay attention.

MIA: What can audiences expect at your upcoming gigs in Southern Africa?

E: They can expect a dynamic and heartfelt performance. I like to keep busy on stage, so they'll see me dancing, playing drums, synthesizer and of course singing.

CS: A good time!

MIA: How did this opportunity to play in three different countries on the same tour come about?

E: It was facilitated through management (Aston Road) and booking agent I'm working with in Australia. Jess White of Akum Agency spends half his year in Mozambique and got in touch with different festivals in the South of Africa.

CS: I was approached by promoters who wanted me to play and I accepted. It sounded like such a dream tour and I could not turn it down. It was as simple as that.

MIA: Outside your performances, is there anything else you’re hoping to see or do while on tour in Africa?

E: It would be great to explore a little of the surroundings. I'd love to visit Madagascar and see some of the natural scenery and wildlife.

CS: We have a couple of days off in Mozambique so I'm looking forward to exploring.

MIA: What’s next for you for the rest of the year? Any plans to return to Africa soon?

E: I will be going to Europe to do some touring and then returning to NZ to finalize the rest of my upcoming album.

CS: I would love to play in East Africa. I was hoping to make it work on this round of touring but it didn't come together. I would love to visit Nairobi!! I have always wanted to go.

Estère will be performing on the follows dates:

• Azgo Festival, Maputo - 21 May
• Nucleo De Arte, Maputo - 22 May
• Good Luck Bar, Johannesburg - 26 May
• Zakifo Festival, Durban - 27 May
• Bushfire Festival, Swaziland - 28 May

Cold Specks will be performing at:

• Azgo Festival, Maputo - 20 May
• Good Luck Bar, Johannesburg - 26 May
• Bushfire Festival, Swaziland - 27 May
• Zakifo Festival, Durban - 28 May
• Sakifo Festival, Reunion Island - 4 June