Folade Mutota of WITCO Desperadoes Speaks
WITCO Desperadoes |
Staff Article
Interview Recorded: February 08, 2006
TRINBAGOPAN: We are now at Despers Pan Yard where the Grand Finale of the Steelband Pan Yard Judging for the Panorama Prelims will be taking place. Calypsonian 'De Fosto' paid tribute to Clive Bradley with a prayer then entertained the crowd with his own composition 'Tribute to Bradley', Despers tune of choice for Panorama 2006. I am here now with Folade Mutota, the Public Relations Officer for Despers.
TRINBAGOPAN: Tell us about what it has been like for the first few months in terms of your tune of choice and who did the arrangements.
FOLADE: Actually it's been going quite good. As you know, we lost our in-house arranger Mr. Clive Bradley late last year. He was buried on December 2, 2005. We had to find an arranger and prepare for the Carnival in less than two months. We have on board with us now Eddie Qualis, who is quite a reputable musician. He played with Mr. Bradley in the very early days of his own musical career in the Esquire Band so they have a history together. Eddy also produced for a number of the more recognizable, popular and well-known calypsonians like the 'Mighty Sparrow' and several others, so he has the connections with the calypsonians as well. He also arranged for 'All Stars' and he did very well with them. Eddy has a history of really associating and working effectively with another big band. He also worked with some Desperados spin-offs in the United States such as Despers U.S.A. As a matter of fact he worked with them last year and they have already invited him to work with them in 2006, so clearly we were pleased. He also worked with Pantonic. Both of these bands also have links with Desperados. Eddy hasn't come to us completely fresh (laughter) and not having had a history with Desperados' people and the people of Laventille. We are quite pleased. In terms of how it has gone so far with him, it has gone well. The players are comfortable with the music and he is comfortable with the rate at which they have learnt the music and the way they execute the music.
I remember the first conversation I had with him, he was telling me that he was quite overwhelmed to have to come and work with a band like Desperados because it is 'The Desperados'. Eddy has proven himself capable. He has been quite pleased with the way in which the players can grasp the music quickly. They pretty much internalize it in no time at all. He is pleased with the execution of the music. He has done well and we have been very fortunate.
TRINBAGOPAN: What are your plans after Panorama 2006?
FOLADE: I see that we will continue working throughout 2006. Panorama of course is the major event for Pan people. We continue to have a number of engagements both at home and abroad throughout the year. We have our stage side that practices at least four times a week. By Easter you have another competition to go into and that is 'Pan in The 21st Century'. By the time you begin to recover, you have to start again to prepare for another competition.
TRINBAGOPAN: Do you have anything you would like to share with the people out there?
FOLADE: Well, we have really been encouraged with the support of people from all over the world in our time of sorrow and we are grateful. When we lost Bradley it was really a blow because he was with the band for a very long time. It was amazing to see how people acknowledged that strong bond between Desperados and Bradley. There was a lot of support coming from all over the world when he died and we we grieved. This is another interesting thing that has happened; since the season started, (we usually start preparing from on Boxing Day), people have been constantly asking, "Do you all have an arranger as yet? How is that going? When will we hear something? When are you all going to start practicing?" Up to now people would still ask if everything is okay; even bands that we have to compete against in the Panorama Competition. Senior members of several steelbands have really shown a tremendous amount of support to Desperados and we really cherish that. Our sponsor, West Indian Tobacco has once again stepped up and choose this band and we really appreciate that. Pan Trinbago has really been supportive as well. I would also like to mention the fact that Pan Trinbago, especially the President, Mr. Arnold, has shown a tremendous amount of support and encouragement for Desperados and to remember how great we are. We especially want to say thanks to all the people all over the world who helped us to remember that this is a great steelband and we really appreciate that.
TRINBAGOPAN: Thank you very much.
Pictures of WITCO Desperadoes in their Panyard:
www.trinbagopan.com/gallery/desperadoes06
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