| Exile. Warfare. Ethnic cleansing. Public execution.
Each is a subject that may be far from the minds of revelers attending the 20th annual Festival International de Louisiane this weekend. But, each is a pivotal theme in the music created by one of tonight's featured artists on the festival's Popeyes Scène International.
The set is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Tinariwen vocalizes the political plight of the Tuareg people, Berber nomads of the Sahara Desert. Formed in 1982, the band's music calls for an awakening of the region's political consciousness, a solution to the repression in Mali and self-determination of the people to see those changes come to light.
It's sound is anger, angst, pride, oppression and resilience delivered with a beauty, eloquence, heart, soul and conscience found in few artists performing today on a national or world stage.
Tinariwen's signature sound is loosely based on traditional Touareg music and the harsh melodies of its one-stringed violin. But that's where tradition pretty much fades into creativity.
The 10-member band, instead, packs its punch with electric guitar, bass and drums, signatures of music from Western cultures. The rebellious and joyful noise Tinariwen creates has become known as Tishoumaren, or "guitar," because the instrument is so vital to the sound.
Rolling Stone magazine wrote in its review of the band's latest release, 2004's Amassakoul, Tinariwen sounds "like a mirage come true: Keith Richards, Ry Cooder and All Farka Toure picking side by side under and unforgiving sun."
Chris Nickson with National Public Radio said, "There's raw electric blues and some very primal rock n' roll all delivered without compromise."
Don't take their word for it. Stop by the Scène International tonight and judge for yourself. Pick up a CD if you like what you hear.
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