Seeed is a band of eleven people. Together with Gentleman, they are the dancehall reference made in Germany. Formed on the initiative of Pierre (one of the 3 singers), the group was born in 1998 from the idea of a New Orleans-style roving brass band that would play reggae and dancehall. The musicians of Seeed (3 Es for 3 singers) are mostly from Berlin; only Alfie the percussionist is Jamaican. Frank (vocals) comes from Ghana and Demba (vocals) is from Guinea. Their aim is above all to get people moving, and this energy earns them a growing success. They express themselves in Seeed Speech, a sort of Anglo-German mix. A surprising band, as good to listen to as to watch. A meeting with Pierre (vocals), Jérôme (trombone) and Alfie (percussionist)...
Had you already played concerts in France?
Seeed Pierre: We were supposed to open for Anthony B in December at the Elysée Montmartre, but we only rehearsed; the concert was cancelled because Anthony B didn't show up (flight problems...). We've played two concerts, but not really in France: one in Val Thorens and one very close to the German border, so this is the first time we've really played in Paris.
You've just played. What do you think of the French audience?
Seeed Pierre: For us it was a challenge to play our first concert here, given that our music is almost unknown in France apart from two or three riddims that are somewhat known to the sound systems. We enjoyed playing there, it was cool…
Wasn't it a bit hard to open the festival?
Seeed Pierre: Yes, but at least we're really motivated to play and give it everything!
Is it important for you to take part in this tribute to Bob Marley? It's the 23rd anniversary of his death, after all…
Seeed Pierre: For us, playing and promoting our music in France is just as important as taking part in the Bob Marley festival…
How would you describe your music?
Seeed Pierre: Our music is still reggae, but we try to make it sound our own way, so we have lots of horns, we have the deejay, loops, percussion, and we try to put on a good show... our way! The thing is, we don't try to make the same sound as the Jamaicans, to copy 100%, but we try to make something of our own. Of course we listen to a lot of Jamaican music, but we try to do something special, different. That's why, at a festival like this one, it's a bit hard to open, because people expect roots reggae or 100% Jamaican reggae, and that's not what we do. But in the end people are glad to hear something different, it makes a change!
Jérôme: A lot of people stood up when we started, which was already a good sign for us!
Jérôme: A lot of people stood up when we started, which was already a good sign for us!
Where do your ideas for staging and costumes come from…?
Seeed Jérôme: It's a bit like the music, we want to do something special. When people come to see us in concert, we want them to be blown away by what we do, and that's why we try to do things that are out of the ordinary. We like playing in suits; there's a visual aspect to our whole show…
Pierre: Either people listen to the CD or they come to the concert, and in that case I think the visual side is important; the influence would come more from P-Funk than from reggae. But even in reggae, there are bands who have their own style and dress up… I think it's very important, above all, to entertain people. We just want to entertain, make people dance and have them enjoy themselves…
Pierre: Either people listen to the CD or they come to the concert, and in that case I think the visual side is important; the influence would come more from P-Funk than from reggae. But even in reggae, there are bands who have their own style and dress up… I think it's very important, above all, to entertain people. We just want to entertain, make people dance and have them enjoy themselves…
What are the band's plans?
Seeed Alfie: This year, there are a lot of projects. We have to go to many countries, and next year we may do a big tour across the Atlantic. And a world tour one day, I hope! For the moment we're in Europe, in Paris, I should say!
Do you have any album plans?
Seeed We're planning a new album in the autumn and the next one next spring, hopefully!
How is your popularity in Germany?
Seeed Yes, we're popular in Germany! (laughs) In Germany there are two leading bands, Gentleman and Seeed. We've arrived at a moment when people seem ready for it. The hip hop stuff is running out of steam, and in the German-speaking countries, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, we're pretty big! But here, we're really starting from the very bottom, like in Italy or Spain. On the other hand it's very enriching, because we're very well known in German-speaking countries and unknown here. We always have to reinvent ourselves, watch what we do and not get stuck in a routine…