By: Diana Etsabo
As I walk in, a lot of emotions are running within me, will he give me a chance to ask everything? Is he approachable and friendly? Will he be comfortable with me doing the interview? Will I be able to ask all the right questions?
Yes, my first interview in two aspects; first as a reporter working for a musical programme and secondly first interview I did in Norway. As they say; you never forget your first day in everything you ever get to experience.
The emotions and uncertainty within me is all part of what I went through when I got an email reply that my interview with Eric Hillestad, a renowned producer in Norway, was going to take place. Hillestad is the producer of the group Scent of Reunion, a project bringing together the Iranian Musician Mahsa Vahdat and the USA-based musician Sam McLain.
Even as my mind was racing and emotions boggling inside me I was so eager to meet the duet and the man behind the project which was not only controversial with the fact that these two countries have no relations whatsoever, but also because I was eager to find out how a woman from Iran has brought down the barriers and excelled in being an international musician considering female voice in Iran is banned and only allowed on specific occasions.
So with my recorder in hand and keeping in mind all the tips and lessons taught to me by my immediate supervisor and also presenter of Jungeltelegrafen NRK P2, Sigbjørn Nedland, I walk into the room.
I am apparently greeted by cheerful, relaxed, but tired faces of what I figured out later were the band musicians and the duet. Eric Hillestad comes to meet me half way and with his smile and easy way I immediately let out a sigh of relief and thinking to myself, "this is not going to be bad after all", so as we sit down and we get acquinted I ask him if I can start the interview.
Unforeseen happenings
Being a journalist I understand the saying that states; "always think on your feet and be ready for anything". Shock on me, Hillestad tells me there is a change of plan and I can’t do the interview with both musicians as McClain is too tired to talk and I only have ten minutes before rehearsal. With my adrenaline going hay wire, I had to think first and revise my questions which I had printed out neatly for my interviewees of the day.
I get on to do the interview with Mahsa Vahdat who was not only humble but cheerful and with her soft voice willing to answer all my questions. However, guess what happens after 5 minutes into the interview? I discovered I did not press the record button of my recorder when I started the interview!!
So in panic, I asked her if she would mind we start the interview again. Mark you, Hillestad is standing a few meters away looking at his watch (remember Norwegians and time). They were to start rehearsals in 5 minutes…so I compose myself and do the interview which by the way gave me very good insights for my feature. As I finish, I say my thank you and Hillestad with so much ease and composure invites me to watch them practice. I am so wowed by this and so excitingly say yes.
Imagine Africa
Being amazed by the duet and their music I get to enjoy and sing along some of the songs, and as I am talking to Hillestad about his work and projects I found out that Kenya is to be among the first countries to benefit from his newest project which is geared towards showcasing Africa positively on the international scene through music.
The project which already kicked off in December 2009 called "Imagine Africa" is being implemented by Eric Hillestad in collaboration with Strømme foundation. "Strømme foundation in Norway has asked us to make a series of records with music from different countries and areas from Africa, to say more about Africa", says Hillestad.
The project which is meant to be in phases and whose main component will be the youth is said to start in Nairobi, Kenya and in Tanzania before it moves to different African countries. Unlike what we are told about Africa in terms of poverty, wars, dependency there is a strong Africa that does not focus too much on the west, we should understand more about the pride of Africa and the colorful side of it. "Imagine Africa" is a contribution to this", adds Hillestad.
The positivity of Africa to be featured and shown through this project will solely concentrate on music. Youths from Kenya and other African countries will therefore get a chance to tell their stories. The project is interested in using specific kinds of music created by youths or young musicians themselves in their own special style and version. "We are particularly searching for young musicians who are making their own music without depending on the western music, for instance an African version of rap that is very specific in Nairobi or Dar es Salam, focusing on different themes about their lives and society", adds Hillestad.
Strømme foundation in Norway has ongoing projects in Kenya and other African countries which deal with the youth and with this back-drop of infrastructure. Hillestad says they will help him finding people who can inform and help him understand and learn more about these countries as he embarks on the project. "I will do a journey starting from there, I know this Africa exists and I want to see it then show it. I am also working with Sigbjørn Nedland who will help me identify some of the musicians as he has enormous knowledge on African music", says Hillestad.
"I am working with Hillestad on specifically helping him identify some musicians and people in the different countries who deal with and have also created their own specific and special kind of cultural music blended with their cultural instruments and inspired lyrics", says Nedland.
Jungeltelegrafen as a working place for Diana
As for me, working with Sigbjørn Nedland on Jungeltegarafen is so much fun as every day is a learning experience, coupled with the fact that he is very patient and informative about everything starting from the music and ideas as we move along. I am learning a lot about music in general and its significance in our daily lives. But most importantly for me is understanding and learning about this other kind of music and the essence it plays in creating cultural understanding by informing our listeners on the existence of other cultures around the world. As the Jungeltelegrafen slogan goes: WHERE WE PLAY THE OTHER KIND OF MUSIC THAT YOU PROBABLY DID NOT KNOW YOU WOULD LIKE.
And as we all wait in anticipation of the first CD and album from "Imagine Africa", I will keep you informed on more of my experiences in being part of Fredscorpset while in Norway.
Sørnett
mediehogskolen
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