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.
