Name: Newen Afrobeat
Members:  Fran Ri (vocals), Erin Rutledge (vocals), Sebastian Crooker (electric guitar), Martin Concha (electric guitar), Benjamin Astroza (bass), Alejandro Orellana (percussions), Tomás Pavez (percussions), Roberto “Tito” Gevert (drums), Klaus Brantmayer (alto sax, flute), Vicente Aravena (tenor sax), Aldo Gomez (baritone sax), Enrique Camhi (trumpet), Diego Gonzalez (trumpet)
Nationality: Chilean
Current release: Newen Afrobeat's Grietas is out via Lichens Family.
Recommendations: Kologbo; Joe Vasconcellos

If you enjoyed this Newen Afrobeat interview and would like to know more about the band, visit them on Instagram, and Facebook.
 


For a while, it seemed as though the model of the bedroom producer would replace bands altogether. Why do you like playing in a band rather than making music on your own?

For us, these are completely different experiences. Although in both cases it's about a sonic experience, the beauty of music lies in human connections and the feeling it evokes. We are fortunate to be able to experience this by playing together as a band, whether on stage or in the rehearsal room.

We started as a band 15 years ago, and this was the only model we saw for a project like this, at least. It all starts with enjoying together a genre of music practically unknown in Chile, jamming together, finding the groove, and being on the same page.

On the other hand, the bedroom producer model has served us nowadays to give new colors to our music and has also been very effective in the composition process.

What, to you, are some of the greatest bands, and what makes them great?

Those who manage to create their own path while staying honest.

There are many potential models for creativity, from live performances and jamming/producing in the same room together up to file sharing. Which of these do you prefer – and why?

Defining a collective preference is challenging due to the large number of members in the band. We've undergone diverse processes in crafting our albums, ranging from working with sheet music to live jams.

What we appreciate about this diversity is the band's motivation to remain creative even in challenging times, such as during the COVID pandemic, and to continue releasing new material.

Our approach to creativity has always been context-dependent.

Is there a group consciousness, do you feel? How does it express itself?

There is a band consciousness, understanding our context collectively, an Afrobeat band from a particularly unexpected territory for the genre, helps us get on the same page.

In addition, there is friendship and we could say that it is the “glue” or “vibe” that is seen in the way we work, there is an interest in staying together and creative always to take this project forward.

Tell me about a piece or album which shows the different aspects you each contribute to the process particularly clearly, please.

Our album Grietas is precisely that, compositions from different members of the band where each one's diverse sonic explorations are refected in the band's sound.

Our current show also traverses different eras of our history.

What are your thoughts on the need for compromise vs standing by one's convictions? How did you resolve potential disagreements?

This has a lot to do with what we talk about when we refer to the spirit of a band. I see it as the constant contribution that each one can bring to the project, not only musically but in every form of energy that can be a plus for the advancement of the project.

Each of us already has a clear idea of how much time, energy, and talent we can dedicate to Newen Afrobeat, and we know how to be present to make decisions that are best for the band.

It is a fact that being quite a few members sometimes makes reaching agreements complicated; a bit of democracy helps to overcome these obstacles.

Do any of the band's members also have solo projects? If so, how do these feeds into the band's creative process?

Several of our members are involved in other musical projects, contributing to a diverse range of pursuits. They have varied personal interests and have been actively releasing music with other bands and solo projects (such as Fran Ri, Klaus B, Alejandro Gloria, and Enrique Camhi).

While their endeavors are reflected in the music they bring to Newen Afrobeat, this aspect might be more apparent internally within the band at the moment. We see it as a positive thing that members of the band feel the motivation to stay creative not only for Newen Afrobeat, expanding the spectrum will always bring improvements for the band.

In a live situation, decisions between band members often work without words. From your experience and the performances of your current tour, what does thisprocess feel like and how does it work?

Generally we have a very good connection with each other on stage, but it is also that way because we have rehearsed a lot and we have been playing together for a long time.

So when we are faced with complex situations or there are doubts regarding what is coming, sometimes only with one look is enough to reconnect.

How has the interaction within the group changed over the years? How do you keep things surprising, playful, and inspiring?

We have had many transformations as a band, from the change of instrumentalists as well as the change of our lead singer.

The band started more than a decade ago, and since then we have all changed, our ideas, not only musically, have been able to mature, giving rise to new sounds and content.

The way we organize ourselves as a band has had to change to keep moving our music forward.

Have you worked with outside contributors - from sessions musicians via producers to other songwriters? How did this change, improve or challenge the established dynamic and how do you look back on that?

Yes, at times, with so many members, we've needed to enlist session musicians to maintain our format.

Additionally, we've been fortunate to collaborate with other composers, such as Kologbo, the guitarist of Fela Kuti's band, Africa 70. We met him in 2015 on our way to our first Felabration in Nigeria. Subsequently, he lived with us in Chile during the production of our second album, which was an immense learning experience for the band.

Similarly, whenever we visit the United Kingdom, we seize the opportunity to share the stage and collaborate with Dele Sosimi, from whom we've gleaned invaluable insights during each encounter. Our new album, Grietas, also features contributors who have greatly enriched the music presented.

The band has always handled the production of the music.

Most bands eventually break up. What makes you stay together? What are the essentials for a successful band?

What keeps us going is believing in the work we are doing. Trust us, it has not been easy especially because of the geographical location we are in.

But we love what we do, we love afrobeat, it calls us in the rehearsal room to continue creating, and connecting. It has been beautiful to have the opportunity to tour internationally and see the impact that our music has had in places we never imagined, with people from other languages singing our songs.

It is shocking and exciting and is an injection of motivation and energy to continue creating and traveling to show what we do.