Simple logic may suggest that a group of nomads would make the perfect touring rock band, given that their customary lifestyle dictates that they are constantly on the move.
But their current routine is quite an ordeal for the members of Niger’s Etran Finatawa: they’re in the middle of the Sahara Desert one month and in New York or London the next.
“It is difficult, but what can we do?” asks Alhousseini Mohamed Anivolla, the band’s leader and spokesperson.
“We have to make our culture live. This is our job.”
Made up of members of both the Tuareg and Wodaabe nomadic tribes, Etran Finatawa rose to international attention on the back of the huge popularity of Mali’s Tuareg desert rock outfit Tinariwen.
But painting Etran Finatawa as a mere copycat of Tianriwen does them a major disservice, as their unique sound blends raunchy Tuareg guitar riffs with Wodaabe percussion, banged out on dry and wet calabashes.
Their debut album, Introducing Etran Finatawa, released in 2006 on the World Music Network label, received rave reviews and led to the band’s first world tour.
This was followed by their second album, Desert Crossroads (released in 2008), which focused on the rupture and change that was threatening their people’s way of life and culture.
“We are nomadic people, so we play traditional music and the songs we write are about nomadic life,” says Anivolla. “We need to talk about positive things, not only problems.”
Etran Finatawa are touring Southern Africa until October.
“We have travelled a lot, but never in Southern Africa,” says Anivolla. “We are happy because for a long time we have watched Johnny Clegg’s video clips and we never imagined we could be here.”
Two days after we sat down to chat, the band played the opening night of their tour, a memorable gig at Brixton’s House of Nsako. The venue was heaving with musicians, fans and industry professionals from the Moshito music conference. Etran Finatawa did not disappoint.
Following this tour they will perform in Dakar before heading home to Niger to prepare for their world tour.
Their as yet untitled third album is set for release in March 2010.
Anivolla says that the band mostly live in Niger’s capital, Niamey, because of their constant touring.
“The band live half in the city and half in the desert,” says Anivolla. “We still have family in the desert, so we spend time in Niamey and then if we know we are going to be in Niger for a while, we take some time off and travel to the desert to visit our families.”
Given their extensive touring, it is interesting to find out what has been their favourite country.
“Australia,” replies Anivolla without hesitation. “Australia is two-faced — it has the face of Europe and the face of Africa,” he says. “When I was in Australia I felt like I was travelling but was still at home.”
I want to make a joke about the band feeling at home because most of Australia is a desert, but decide against it, fearing that the joke may not survive the translation process.
As for the musicians they have met who have had the biggest impact, Anivolla is clear — that would be Robert Plant.
“I don’t know what he is talking about, but when he sings, his voice and his rhythm, I feel it here,” he says, touching his heart.
Other musicians Anivolla counts among his favourites include legendary Malian blues great Ali Farka Touré and Hispanic guitar wizard Santana.
“I love them both very much,” he says, adding that these artists do not influence Etran Finatawa’s music; it comes straight from the desert.
Having stood among the crowd at their first South African gig, I know what he means.
When I closed my eyes, I was transported back to the Sahara, where the rhythms of the camels and the expansive sky are beyond words, but not beyond music.
Etran Finatawa play in Durban on September 24, Johannesburg on September 26, Pretoria on September 29, Swaziland on October 2, Namibia on October 4, Cape Town on October 8 and Port Elizabeth on October 10. For full tour details go to www.etranfinatawa.com