Barefoot Caravan
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2012
Music
Press
Barefoot Caravan (composed of Angela Roy (vocals and percussion), Steve Gosselin (double bass), Chris Dusevic (guitar/vocals), John Fraser (percussion), and Leila Neverland (keys/vocals) is a music group/project based out of the Okanagan.
The band just released its new EP in May and has been hard at work performing in various different communities around B.C. this summer.
Q: How did Barefoot Caravan form?
A: “Expression (Angela’s parent, rhythm workshop company) was founded several years ago through seeking out root rhythms, indigenous chants and dance. In the last three years the project has evolved with the addition of instrumentation and original music.”
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your newly released EP titled Echoes?
A: “It was recorded in the spring of 2014 in various locations throughout our travels in B.C. There are three original compositions and two traditional songs with our own unique arrangements. These songs are a calling to take care of our land and work together towards strong community.”
Q: How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before?
A: “World roots rhythms is the foundation with intentional messages. The music is upbeat and organic with raw acoustic instrumentation that naturally compels your body to move.”
Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?
A: “The land, people, traveling, indigenous cultures, children and community.”
Q: Can you tell us about some of the things that you do for communities in B.C.?
A: “The project offers rhythm/percussion; drum making, song/dance and songwriting programs. These could be in the form of a short workshop session at a festival/gathering or as a full week residency in a school or community where we’d get the participants to perform. Throughout the programs we teach music and also put intention into social and emotional wellness to actively build strong communities.”
Q: If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
A: “Live off the grid and give more to the land. Also have a more environmentally friendly method of travel to get to our workshops/performances and for world travel.”
Q: What’s your favourite thing about being in a band rather than being a solo artist?
A: “Camaraderie, support, collaboration, synergy, teamwork and the drive to grow is stronger when you have others growing around you.”
Q: How many shows do you think Barefoot Caravan has played in total?
A: “Close to 1,000-plus?”
Q: What has been the most memorable show that Barefoot Caravan has done?
A: “We collaborated with members of OM and Westwind to open an underground show with Tasman Jude from Grande Prairie and OKA from Australia. Opening for Shane Philips at Gatzke Farms in Oyama and opening for Adham Shaihk in Penticton are two other memorable mentions. Our week residency in Lax Kw’alaams First Nation was incredibly powerful as well and so was our three-week tour in Haida Gwaii.”
Q: If you had only one more day to live, how would you spend it and why?
A: “We would simply continue doing what we do.”
– Aniko Forgo is a Kalamalka Secondary School graduate and music enthusiast. Her Q&As with local musicians, Getting to Know, is an ongoing feature in The Morning Star. - Vernon Morning Star
Video - Tracey Cochrane
Discography
Echoes EP - May 2015
1 - Echoes
2 - Freedom
3 - V'la l'Bon Vent
4 - Najala
5 - Dans la Terre
Photos
Bio
Music and the arts are a gateway to knowing ourselves; a window to the soul. This is why music is so important in the world today. This is the intention the group plays with.
Knowledge of the arts belongs to us all. Various forms are rooted in many nations globally are meant to be shared with everyone. Barefoot Caravan believes in the influence that music has in the unification of the nations.
Barefoot Caravan group based in BC's Okanagan Valley who perform indigenous music in various languages. They represent the people of the world with unique, upbeat arrangements along with original compositions. They combine root rhythms; Soca, Afro-Cuban, Gypsy and Reggae with melodic three part harmonies.
Currently touring their debut EP Echoes; released in May of 2015, the Caravan travels across western Canada offering diverse and highly interactive performances. Oka, Shane Philips, Adham Shaikh, Tasman Jude, Blackberry Wood and Five Alarm Funk are among some of the many artists Barefoot Caravan have had the pleasure of sharing a stage with. From lively dance sets to intimate acoustic shows for various venues including, festivals, house concerts, galleries and school cultural assemblies. Barefoot Caravan have been performing for over two years and have played several hundred shows.
This project is constantly evolving, bridging community, art and people of all ages. The members offer various experiences including rhythm, dance, and song-writing workshops, onsite live recording and drum making programs. They are a group who truly share the greater goal of re-connecting us all to the world we live in together.
Band Members
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