A conversation with Coreysan
SKIN.
Not just another colour, talking point or organic sketch pad… What do you get when you zoom, touch, scratch or cut the surface ?
It hurts, it may bleed, but most times any attention is comforting (and it feels good). SKIN. A portal to our own complexity, the maze of everything that lies beneath – deeper.
Amidst a most restless, but restful year somewhat due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) we had a great conversation with Trinbagonian musician Coreysan (songwriter, bassist, backing vocalist for the legendary Calypso Rose ) earlier in October, where he spoke to us about his journey and work as a musician from the Caribbean diaspora in the UK, doing things his way: unconventional.
For the past 5 years, Coreysan has been “feeding the fire” to build up his musical career. And he has quite a lot to be proud of. Among his recent milestones he has been a part of collaborations in Paris and the UK; touring with Calypso Rose in 2016 & 2017, visiting Europe, North Africa, Columbia… In 2018, he also had an incredible opportunity to play at One Love Festival UK with Ink Project (Brighton-based electronic/soul/dub/global collective).
When he’s not the musician in the spotlight, Coreysan is a sensitive observer of the human experience, dedicated to a vegan lifestyle and passionate about the martial arts. His 5th solo album “Deeper Than Skin” is out today, Friday 30th October under the independent UK record label Blind Colour.
Culturego: Do you remember any key moments, which put you on the path to becoming a musician ?
Coreysan: My father ran a record store for a while when I was young and music was always played in the household. I really enjoyed looking through the records and discovering new music. When I started secondary school, I got my first exposure to playing music in the school’s choir and band. At around age 16, I joined a cover band and around age 18 I joined ‘Oddfellows Local’ who did original songs. I would say that these are the moments that drew me into the world of music, and solidified my path as a musician.
Your music is very layered, a blend of many sounds. It speaks of a curiosity for an uncharted course. Can you share a bit of your playlists over the years?
My musical influences are very diverse. I was greatly influenced by musicians from Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean such as Shadow, Andre Tanker, Mungal Patasar and Pantar, Stephen Encinas, Ras Shorty I, Israel Vibrations, Kassav, Grace Jones and Calypso Rose of course. Later on, I also drew a lot of inspiration from The Cure, Jah Wobble, Duran Duran, David Bowie, Massive Attack, Sade, Morcheeba… and even Dengue Dengue Dengue from Peru.
Where do you find your inspiration ?
I find the best stories and songs through just observing life and living. It’s all about the principles and philosophies within human relations and nature. I then try to take on the role of a storyteller to make the messages in my music as universal as possible.
What is the new album about?
Well, there is definitely a “less is more”/ minimalist approach to this body of work. This album and its title are about exploring the reality that lies beyond the surface, the beauty of the unseen world and its natural importance to what is presented in this realm of existence.
My experiences of touring in Colombia with Calypso Rose, listening to electronic cumbia (Nicola Cruz, Matanza…) and listening to South African House (Black Coffee, Revolution, Black Motion and Cuebur) have inspired me to infuse more of my Trinidadian/Caribbean roots into my music. Deeper Than Skin is a good representation of everything that I have experienced over the past 16 years since my first album. My voice, my bass playing and my approach to the production element (since 1999, in FL Studio) have greatly evolved. With regards to my voice in particular, I have found a new comfort zone singing, as I speak. This was something that I discovered while living in Bristol.
As an artist from the Caribbean/ Trinbagonian diaspora, what’s the bigger dream ?
To continually evolve with and through my art and music. I am very inspired by Calypso Rose and her very rich career, especially the fact that at 80 years old her career continues to grow. This longevity with art and music is what I aspire towards the most.
Coreysan’s music has been described by Sounds and Colours (Latin American Music and Culture guide) as “electronic Caribbean hybrid music – influenced by Caribbean, Indian, Middle Eastern, West African and Colombian music, then channelled through European electronics.” We’ve had a sneak-listen and no doubt – Coreysan’s new music is nothing we were expecting “from the Caribbean”, yet an interesting blend of everything we can easily recognize: electronic, drums, thumping beats, deep rhythmic elements of calypso bass, English rock… It is intense, it is raw. It affects you at the core.
Buy/stream Coreysan’s ‘Deeper Than Skin’: https://smarturl.it/Deeper-Than-Skin
LISTEN IN: Feeding The Fire
Stream Coreysan on Soundcloud:
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LATAM
Sounds and Colours
Sounds and Colours is a website, print publication and record label dedicated to Latin American music and culture, with a particular focus on South American countries. Run by a team of passionate writers and researchers our aim is to show the non-mainstream view of Latin American culture.
UK
One Love Festival
The One Love Festival is the UK’s most popular reggae and dub camping event. The family-friendly fest attracts music lovers of all ages from around Europe to join together for a weekend of peace, love, and unity. Cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival has just launched it’s Go Fund me campaign to be able to continue future editions. Support / Read more: onelovefestival.co.uk
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