INTERVIEW : DAN I
Interview by : Nicolas Swartebroekx
Pictures by : DR
on Tuesday, June 10th 2008 - 6 118 views
A member of the Italian crew Moa Anbessa, Dan I was passing through France for a party in Montpellier with Lion Roots Sound System. A chance to make the introductions with this talented artist, recently discovered on steppers productions.
Reggaefrance / Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your beginnings?
Dan I / I’m Dan I from Italy, I come from a small village 80 kilometres from Venice. I started officially in 2000, with a sound system project and a group, Imperial Sound Army. It’s a collective of five members.
When did your first maxi come out?
It’s a 12" vinyl released by Moa Anbessa Sound, in Italy. Jah command is the track I made with them for that production. I’m also a member of Moa Anbessa Sound.
One of your maxis came out on the English label Roots Injection. How did you meet Ras Muffet?
I was introduced to him when I was in London. He gave me a few riddims so that I could voice a dubplate for him. When we met again, he gave me some riddims, including one he wanted to release with me quickly. That’s how my maxi with Roots Injection came about.
When is the album coming?
Normally, at the end of the year. I’ve been working for a year on the project, which brings together new songs, remixes and dubplates. The whole album is done in collaboration over the Internet, because the producer is in Sardinia and I’m near Venice! I’ve had a lot of studio work recently; I’m also working with Alpha Omega, and there will be three of my songs on their album.
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
It’s hard to describe yourself, I don’t like the idea of being labelled an artist (laughs), but I am one. What I like is promoting reggae and offering the public reggae as pure as the reggae that inspired me or that I was introduced to when I was younger. What I like is giving to the next generations.
How did you meet Stef Lion of Lion Roots?
The Internet is a very good means of communication, especially with MySpace. It’s a very good means of communication for musicians, who can swap tracks with each other.
You’re not that well known but you already have links with many sound systems in Europe. How did you make a name for yourself?
I simply started singing (laughs). Then I met someone who made music videos. I gave him some music, and he passed it on to the right people. Afterwards, I got calls to do dubplates. Jah Shaka and Channel One play my dubplates.
Would you be interested in voicing more new-roots productions?
I like all styles of reggae. What I don’t like is bashment and bling-bling dancehall. I like original sounds, but above all I like organic sounds. The sound has to be fresh, new if possible.
How is the reggae scene near Venice doing?
We have a few good producers. Most of them come from bands, they’re real musicians. Most of the sounds play bashment or new roots, and recently the steppers movement has started to become known. What’s good for me is that almost all the productions coming out of Italy are rather roots.
What do you think of reggae activity in France?
I’ve met a lot of people connected to sound systems or festivals in France. I love the atmosphere and the quality of the productions. In fact, I’d like to collaborate with a few French producers...
Apart from music, what did you want to do with your life?
I started guitar and singing at 14. I was mainly inspired by Bob Marley’s songs and Rasta spirituality. Around that time, they found a small tumour in my throat. For two years I didn’t get treated, concentrating on reggae music and spirituality. Two years later, the tumour had disappeared, in a rather mystical way. The doctor couldn’t find the slightest trace of it. Music is my whole life and what happened with that tumour was like a miracle. I never thought of doing anything else, it’s as if I owed it to the public.
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