A Human Mix Up | Alors, on le fait...!?

I have always thought thatI was born in wrong time.

Being here with these people showed me I just found myself

at the r ight place at the r ight t ime…

4 bands, a story...

HAIN TENYHip Hop / Nu-Jazz / FunkSerbia

Hain Teny [Words of Wisdom] one of the rare fusion hip-hop bands in whole Balkans region since 2000. All about hip-hop thru funk, jazz, electronic, reggae, dancehall, break beat instrumentals, hardly concentrate on ecologic, cosmically research and represented rapping. With numerous tours in Balkans during 2005, 2006, and their biggest successes in 2007, spent travelling throughout the region, gaining new fans and contacts, promoting their releases, as albums « ROBA » et « Haintellingence », including many different singles and remixes, at the time still in production, their new upcoming materials and handful of brand new projects scheduled for 2006 and 2007. Just now, Hain Teny is publishing their music internationally for Ice & Spice records [Paris / France] and also for domestic Serbian label Ammonite records and Punch Line sub label [Belgrade].

www.hainteny.com www.myspace.com/hainteny

DJMAWI AFRICAGnawa FusionAlgeria

A student concert in the INC school of Alger, in December 2004, gave rise to the members to play together. A few weeks later, keeping the euphoria of this jam session, Djmawi Africa is formed.

Composed of 8 members, (bass, drums, violin, guitar, goumbri, derbouka, flute/bendir, clarinet/saxophone) - each one with his own musical background (chaabi, Andalusian, rock, metal, reggae, Gnawi, classical) - the Djmawi Africa naturally merge styles and influences to share the richness of this music’s’ mix. The Djmawi Africa, with the dynamism of their youthfulness, offer - in every performance and to a loyal and more and more plentiful audience - a smile, a party and an exhilarating atmosphere. Their first album, « MAMA », was released in January 2008.

www.djmawi-africa.comwww.myspace.com/djmawiafrica

Four bands?

By the way, there is a fifth « band » who will also make the whole project. He’s constituted by all the French volunteers engaged in all the different tasks : cooking, driving, lodging, linking, announcing and so much more things...W ithout this « big band », nothing would have been possible ! They are going to recognize themselves ! Thanks to them !

4

4 bands, a story...

MAMIENCOChanson rockFrance

Mamienco is a French music band mixing different influences crossing rock, jazz and gipsy music.

The « feeling machine » of Mamienco is composed by a gipsy clarinet, the breath of an accordion and a dynamic bass, drums rythmic. The atmosphere is intense ; it goes from tears to laughs, from wisdom to madness. Male voices invite you to travel in this weird world where intimacy and universality cross their way. Mamienco opens the boxes of four musician’s sensibility in a pure rock energy. www.myspace.com/mamienco

INTIMN FRIZURNNew Wave / Reggae / AlternativeSlovenia

Intimn Frizurn [Intimate Haircuts] is a Slovenian music group who plays from circus-punk to balkan-ska-disco-rock rythms and tunes, from trip hop ballads to arithmetical psychedelic themes, from mind-expanding odysseys to easy dub or pop songs. Always looking for new musical forms which will galvanize your senses in one way or another ! October 2006 : the album « Kokos Kokos Presenta » is released.

www.intimn-frizurn.com www.myspace.com/intimnfrizurn

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Thursday, the 6th

The Serbian musicians are finally arriving after a 1.400 km trip. Dusan aka DJ Dee, singers Nemanja and Adam, pianist Marko, percussionist Milorad, guitarist Petar and VJs Dusko and Valentina. Two more rooms are full. The breakfast room is also set up by carrying tables and chairs and plugging in fridges, coffee makers and microwave ovens. We discover the place : instruments room, headquarter, neighboring rooms… Each one makes it his own. The afternoon program will be soft. Some take a walk around the campus or in the Parc de Sceaux, just across the street, while others are overcome by the tiredness of the trip and take a nap serenely.

Once the first meal is eaten, nobody lingers. Nothing could perturb the sleep that will be replenishing. Not even the arrival of the last occupants. It is midnight, their plane landed two hours late at Roissy, they are the Algerian musicians. Guitarist Abdou, singer and goumbri player Djamil, bendir player Amine, violin and mandol player Fethi, percussionist Zohir, bass player Karim, clarinetist Mohamed and drummer Mourad. With them are stage manager Zahir, light technician Younes, sound engineer Adel and Walid, the project photographer. Neither of them will stay up until late.

Tomorrow is the meeting with the last participants of the project, members of the French band Mamienco : guitarist Djeff, drummer David, clarinetist Florent and accordionist Loïc.

T he project obviously began a long time ago. The preparation session was hard for everybody. One year. Technical organization, funds raising, visas

obtaining… Everyone had a part to play to come to France. And the pieces of the puzzle are put together today. The engine is going to start.

A strange atmosphere reigns at the J building of the student residence of the École Centrale, here in Châtenay-Malabry - south Parisian suburb. The floor we will be occupying sounds empty while Vincent and Lucile are working on finishing setting the « camp » up. But the silence is merely an illusion.

Shortly, the phone rings. It is Yann. He stands at the front door with two minibuses : the caravan has just arrived from Ljubljana. There took place the big departure for the Slovenian musicians of the band « Intimn Frizurn », Žiga - guitarist, Milan - singer, Žiga - bass player and Igor - drummer just drove almost twenty hours. With them come their sound engineer Miha and a journalist friend - Andraž - who will follow the project for a Slovenian magazine. Mambus joined them to be in turn driver, cook and equipment carrier. Also came the Croatian crew : Luka as director of the future documentary film and Marko - his cameraman.

They take two random rooms on the floor while another minibus is going through the school’s campus doors.

« From the first days that we met with Intimn Frizurn on the road to Paris, to the final concert everything was making a big impression on me. I have never been on a tour or a musical exchange with the bend so every bit of it was new to me. First days of getting together, meeting the Serbians, French and Algerians were full of new surprises and new knowledge’s. » Andraž - Journal is t - S lovenia

6

DUSKO LUKA MILORAD MAHAMET MAMBUS ZIGA JEFF

VALENTINA ZOHIR MARKO LOIC ADAM

WALIDFETHI PETAR ABDOU YOUNES LUCILE

YANNMIHA VINCENT NEMANJA MARKOZAHIR

MILANANDRAZ MOURADIGOR

ZIGA

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DUSKO LUKA MILORAD MOHAMED MAMBUS ŽIGA JEFF

VALENTINA ZOHIR MARKO LOIC ADAM

WALIDFETHI PETAR ABDOU YOUNÈS LUCILE

YANNMIHA VINCENT ŽIGA NEMANJA MARKOZAHIR

MILANANDRAŽ MOURADIGOR

FLORENTDAVID DJAMIL AMINE KARIMDUSAN ADEL

7

During this time, the rest of the participants take over the place where it lives. This day off is more than necessary as to recover from the trip. We get to know each other better of course. We discover our neighbours. We detect emerging affinities. At night, we go to the « Kfet chez Yvette » for a small gig with the students from Orsay campus. We go back merry ! A promising start !

Saturday, morning will start late. All finish to recover from the trip. In the afternoon, everyone stroll in Paris. Only Hain Teny are forced to stay. They will play tonight and

Intimn Frizurn Hain Teny Mamienco Djmawi Africa

F riday, first wakeup in France. Earlier for some than for others. Djmawi have to go to Chauconin penitentiary in Meaux. They get up before the sun. Tough for a

first day. All the more it will be exhausting. The setup and sound check are complicated, the prison inner working not making the task easier. We go through a door, then we wait. We go through a door again, wait once more. And so on. At noon, we go back all over. Then we get back in. It’s a new and psychologically grueling experience. But the concert and the following discussion with the inmates go smoothly. Everyone goes back happy.

Morning - Rest - Housing Morning - Rest - Housing Morning - Rest - Housing 8.30 Am - Departure to gig Meaux, Chauconin Jail

Afternoon - Rest/Free Afternoon - Rest/Free Afternoon - Rest/Free Afternoon - Gig in Jail7.00 Pm - Return to housing

Night - Party - Orsay « Chez Yvette »

Night - Party - Orsay « Chez Yvette »

Night - Party - Orsay « Chez Yvette » Night - Rest - Housing

Friday, the 7th & Saturday, the 8th8

have to go to Fresnes, to the MJC (youth club) to have a sound check. Two local bands will play with them, Teteou and Joke. Djmawi Africa will also feature in some songs. All participants gather to spend the evening there. For those who aren’t on stage, it’s a chance to see where the final concert will take place. During the evening, we party and friendships start.

Things take shape bit by bit…

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Morning - Rest - Housing Morning - Rest - Housing Morning - Rest - Housing Morning - Rest - Housing

Afternoon - Paris’visit Afternoon - Rest/Free 3.00 Pm - Sound checkFresnes, Mjc Afternoon - Paris’visit

8.00 Pm - Party - Fresnes, MjcFinal gig’s place discovery

9.00 Pm - Gig Fresnes, Mjc

8.00 Pm - Party - Fresnes, Mjc Final gig’s place discovery

8.00 Pm - Party - Fresnes, Mjc Final gig’s place discovery

« The first days were perhaps a bit hard, due to the fact that I had to meet and acquaint myself with over 30 people combined with the adaptation to several languages, habits and a busy schedule of concerts and practices. […] My first reaction was a thought regarding communication barriers. I was very relieved when most of the guys turned out to be able to speak English. With the rest we used the usual combination of hand signals and communication through others, you know ; where there’s a will, there’s power. The more time we spent together the easier it got to figure out what someone needed and towards the end of the tour we communicated almost telepathically […] In apartments and during concerts I also hung out with the rest of the bands. I joined them for some tours of Paris. There was fun to be had, especially after hanging out together after concerts trying out everything from French wines to Slovenian plum schnapps. » Mambus - Dr iver, cook, «roadie»… - SloveniaFriday, the 7th & Saturday, the 8th 9

Sunday, the 9th

all the same a certain consistency. All the protagonists are sitting around a table, and Vincent is their MC.

This meeting is long and distressing, but essential. Its goals are for each one to immerse himself in the program, to comment it, and modify it if necessary. Everything is discussed of course ! English is approximate but everybody has questions ! Residences, with who, where ?


T his is a quiet morning at the camp place. The weather is not very nice and scraps of yesterday lead everybody to wake up. All the more the

afternoon is going to be crowded. Everybody is expected at the Cité U to have a lovely lunch prepared by Yann, immediately followed by a meeting for the adjustment of the planning. What an organization during the digestion ! Nevertheless, the project gains


Afternoon - 2.00 Pm - Rehearsal Planning’s collective sessionAntony, Cité U, Aolf’s office




8.00 Pm - Free 8.00 Pm - Free 8.00 Pm - Free 8.00 Pm - Free

10

Concerts, in which conditions ? The question of the final concert is also discussed but it still seems in a long time and kind of surrealist. The afternoon progresses and the planning takes shape bit-by-bit. Everyone begins to imagine what his role will be in the big final creation !

But all good things end and this meeting too. Everybody

comes back. Each one attends his own business during a while and thinks of his evening’s plan. Some of them will go to Paris, others will spend some time with Victor Demé, a Burkinabese artist met on a previous exchange. The last ones will stay « quietly » in the accommodation place to share a little jam session with definitively oriental tendency. They will be interrupted by neighbors who don’t find them so « quiet »… who is right ?

« After our arrival, we quickly got on well with the other groups, and also with Mambus, the Slovenian driver, who drove us almost every time. One evening, he asked us to join him in Vincent’s room level to create a little bit of atmosphere and play some music. At this time, one of us, I don’t remember who he was, asked Slovenian and Serbian group’s members to play some songs from their own musical heritage, known songs from home. Some people, from the two groups, tried but…didn’t really succeed. Djamil took the guitar and started to play and sing Algerian well known songs, without stopping for two hours or more. The others accompanied him, no loudly that the security agent came to make notice of noise. I really liked that, that was real fun. » Younès - Light Technician - A lger ia

11

Monday, the 10th

two groups, based on existing tracks. All those tracks are part of the bands’ songbooks, because it is obviously impossible to compose with only two weeks. An introduction track will be written and why not an ending one.

Beginnings are stuttering. Musicians grope around, go carefully, are torn between overflowing desire and self-restraint. However, music came first soon. After all, tracks are not unknown, everyone could listen to them before,


C lear the ship for action this morning, on tune of big departure. A feeling of nervousness hangs on the floor. A chain is organized to take music

equipment from the spare room to the vans. Destination Sèvres and the Studio 111 for the Algerians. They will be joined by members of Mamienco. As of the Serbians and Slovenians, they go to Bagneux, to the studio La Chaufferie.

Decision is made to work by series of collaboration of

9.45 Am - Departure to rehearsal Bagneux, La chaufferie


9.45 Am - Departure to rehearsal Sèvres, Studio 111


6.30 Pm - Return to housing 6.30 Pm - Return to housing 6.30 Pm - Return to housing 6.30 Pm - Return to housing

Night - Free or PartyAntony, Soirée Sauce Dibim




12

and nobody is a beginner with his instrument. The expression becomes natural again bit by bit. We talk a lot, we structure. Things take shape.

We must be efficient. Only one day to compose, repeat, with as much potential and options, it is really not easy. In Sèvres, it begins with « Saadya », a Djmawi’s song. In Bagneux, it is working on « Bounce », a Hain Teny’s song.

And when the studio rings the time to leave, five tracks have been created. We also have a lot of ideas for the show’s introduction.

To end the day well, everybody comes back to the Antony’s Cité U, where La Sauce Dibim, a local animation association, organizes a musical party. What is the topic ? TV programs credit songs ! The audience is large ; the atmosphere is festive and friendly. Party ends with the « international jam session » mixing project’s musicians and others.

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…

« Guys of Intimn didn’t know what to expect from the first practice with Hain Teny and when I witnessed their music combine so well it brought a smile to my face. The next days, especially with the Djmawi Africa, were totally fascinating because we were amused by their different way of making music and their extraordinary music ability and group feeling. The third practice with Mamienco was again something different when Jeff pulled out his guitar and made a song sound like Queens of the Stone Age. » Andraž - Journal is t - S lovenia

13

Tuesday, the 11th

Once again, the magic operates. Pieces change, taking unsuspected colors. Break times, particularly lunch time, are propitious to bitter discussions. Music, of course, is one of the main topics. We talk about techniques, instruments, arrangements and musical references… But no topic is banned : culture and uses, everyday life… Because it is also what exchange is all about : outreaching the other in his reality. Learn to know him, and letting him learn you.


W e’re getting up early once again. Each one of us is waiting to see what this day can produce. Excitement is almost solid. The musicians are

nervous while loading the truck. Will this day keep its promises ? Will the alchemy from the previous day be here again ? Each new day is a new bet. Djmawi Africa and Intimn Frizurn are leaving for work, to the Studio 111 in Sèvres. Hain Teny and Mamienco will go to a session at the Live Music studio in Montrouge. Everyone starts to work, valiantly.


9.45 Am - Departure to rehearsal Montrouge, Studio Live Music

9.45 Am - Departure to rehearsal Montrouge, Studio Live Music



8.30 Pm - Gig Yapa KpgAntony, Cité U




14

The day brought its load. Four new songs were born. Satisfaction can be seen on everyone’s face while we’re reloading the vans. Tiredness seems to leave scares.

But the way is still long. So we looked back on our progress and revised the planning a bit. In a pinch, we were granted a sleep in, in two days.

So the evening will be calm. A show takes place not far from the campus. Tonight feature guitar trio and African tales. Band Yapa and Burkinabese story-teller KPG are giving a showcase resulting from their collaboration which started in Burkina Faso. It’s also a new opportunity to meet the young people present at the show. But the beds in the Ecole Centrale won’t stay empty very long. We still have to rock the last day of creation workshop.

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« The spirit of these photos is the spirit of our association : make people share. When we see Slovenian and Algerian musicians together, on top of that producing good music, we think we’re lucky to see that. Yes, music has charms to soothe a savage beast. And yes, exchange and discussion, oral or musical, lead to a better comprehension of each other. »Yann - Organizer - France

15

Wednesday, the 12th

Focusing is less easy, minds are less sharp. Ideas come more slowly. We progress step by step. We do progress though. Four pieces are now added to the final set.

When leaving the studios, fatigue is almost palpable, on one side as on the other.

However, the day is not over yet. The Algerians and the Slovenians are expected at a dual-band concert set up


T he sky is still grey in the morning of this new day. We have to pull ourselves out of the blankets. But it’s a little harder this morning. Fatigue seems

to have settled in bodies and minds. Without noticing when and how it happened… Yet everyone is working on preparing the departure to the last dual-band creation workshop. Mamienco and Intimn Frizurn meet in Bagneux, at the La Chaufferie studio. Hain Teny and Djmawi Africa go to the Studio 111 in Sèvres.





5.00 Pm - At Dibim 6.30 Pm - Return to housing 6.30 Pm - Return to housing 5.00 Pm - At Dibim

8.30 Pm - GigAntony, Sauce Dibim’s Party




16

by la Sauce Dibim in the student residences. Only the French and Serbian will have the chance to relax while listening as a part of the audience.

The balances are achieved through hard work, almost through pain.

Yet, everyone is finally ready. And the audience is coming in slowly. Once on stage, the stiffness, the

stress and the tension disappear. The musicians give their best and the audience was roaring for more. This evening is a success.

Putting away the hardware will truly be a chore. But the promise of a big night sleep is a sufficient motivation to swiftly pack our bags and go back to the Ecole Centrale. There will be no wanderer in the corridors tonight !

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« The concert is over. We are leaving the place. Everybody is in a good mood but tired. We are all in the parking lot behind the club. It is confusing since everybody is walking in and out and the band is putting their equipment into the vans. We set into Yann’s car and waiting, there are five of us I think. Luka, Yann, me and… I can’t remember other two… Anyway, Yann leans front on the wheel and turn his head left as he is looking through the window. We are waiting and looking out what is happening, because one van blocked us from going out. Everybody sits like that in total silence for a couple of minutes… then somebody asks: what are we waiting for ? We realize the van has moved and we can go… Luka in his « I don’t give a shit » way calmly says : « Well…Yann is taking a nap » I burst laughing and in a split second we are on our way ! » Marko - Cameraman - Croat ia

17

Thursday, the 13th

at the studio Le Tremplin, obviously strategic since there is room enough to receive the whole troop.

Each creation is played twice so that everyone can become thoroughly familiar with it. Thirteen pieces. It takes a certain amount of time, or so to say. In an excited hubbub, members comment and see what can be changed, added, improved.


T his morning gives us a well-deserved rest ! There is no hint of wakening before 10.00 am. First time since a week. During breakfast, no one hides

the pleasure from having made the most of this beauty sleep. It is deserved.

When it is time to move for the first collective workshop, the first big gathering. It will take place in Ivry-sur-Seine,

12.00 Am - Departure to first collective workshop Ivry, Le Tremplin




4.00 Pm - Sound check Paris, Guinguette Pirate

4.00 Pm - Sound check Paris, Guinguette Pirate 3.30 Pm - Return to housing 3.30 Pm - Return to housing

8.30 Pm - Gig Paris, Guinguette Pirate

8.30 Pm - Gig Paris, Guinguette Pirate Night - Free Night - Free

18

Then musicians on stage switch and it begins from the start again. The matter is far from being settled, but results are heartening. Everyone calms oneself, take one’s marks. Summary charts are in progress. It is not ready at all yet, but the final production is getting to be glimpsed. It sure is prompting !

In the middle of the afternoon, the subject is dried. Just in time, actually, because Slovenians and Serbians are expected in Paris, where they have a gig at the Dame de Canton in the evening. The French take advantage of the studio a bit longer in company of the Algerians. They will enjoy the rest of the evening together in Paris.

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« The whole idea is great in every sense, because connecting artists from totally different music genres is something that is not a really usual thing in the music world that we know :-).The experience was magnificent as long as we joined our artistic ideas with musicians that played really origin sounds and were coming from music spheres which were totally different. From our « kitchen » in every way, so in that way we all developed or upgraded couple of levels up in our artistic manifestation. The experience with top quality equipment in Fresnes and in that big studio near Paris (I can’t remember the name) was also precious. » Milorad - Percuss ion is t - Serbia

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9.45 Am - Departure to collective workshop - Ivry, Le Tremplin




6.00 Pm - Press conferenceCréteil, Hôtel du Département




Night - Free Night - Free Night - Free Night - Free

Friday, the 14th

the concert. With total agreement, we choose that all musicians will be on the stage at the strategic moments. It won’t be easy to set up technically, but after all, the game is worth trying. For the introduction, the idea come that we could collectively compose a song, on which we could set lyrics each language of the participants. General agreement again.

We work on it. The result seems to be convincing. We


T oday, for the second time, all the musicians get together in Ivry-sur-Seine for a complete day of run through. We start again, on yesterday’s

impetus. The choice is taken to incorporate some new musicians on certain tracks, and to change few interventions on others. Once they are all set up, the shape of the show appears more clearly.

We proceed now to the introduction and the end of

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get to the ending tracks. A proposition is made, to use « Too many », an original composition of Mamienco, to which we will add a musician of each nationality. The rest of the band will make chorus. With brilliance !

Once all tracks are set up, we start to think about transitions. It’s complicated. We have to plan the position of each musician, operating relays on the scene, and the global worksheet for sound and light technicians.

I t is still far away from the end when the time rings to quit studios. But all musicians have to be involved in the press conference « Un Notre Monde » at the Conseil Général of Val de Marne in Créteil. They will present their own project, and discover other international ones organized as part of the International Week of Solidarity. The day has been very long and every one will spend a quiet evening in Châtenay.

« I started to realize when we had started the rehearsals with all the bands united…(wakeup, morning/alarm clock) and all in the bus… destination Ivry […]Once arrived, we get in position in the studio[…]. No time to lose, a long day of rehearsal awaits us. Because after the rehearsals when the bands worked on songs by pairs, […]group rehearsals in Ivry are used to set up and give a shape to the show, which is not a simple task ; […] but the technical side isn’t the most important one (well, of course it is important, because there wouldn’t be any show without it). I would rather talk about the moments where several languages were spoken. It started in French, ending in English after using Slovenian, Serbian and Arabian. For that matter, you can find that back in the intro piece, sung in the four languages. And actually, after only two days of rehearsal, the show took shape. It was even written black on white on the board displayed in the rehearsal room ! And I totally realized when I looked at the board and around myself. I told myself : so we did it ! » Zahir - Tour manager - A lger ia

21

12.00 Am - Departure to Chevreuse 12.00 Am - Departure to Chevreuse 12.00 Am - Paris visit 12.00 Am - Paris visit

2.00 Pm - Meeting with young musicians5.00 Pm - Sound check - Chevreuse

2.00 Pm - Meeting with young musicians5.00 Pm - Sound check - Chevreuse

3.00 Pm - Sound checkParis, Guinguette Pirate

3.00 Pm - Sound checkParis, Guinguette Pirate

8.30 Pm - Gig Chevreuse, ALC

8.30 Pm - Gig Chevreuse, ALC



Saturday, the 15th

having watched a documentary film, the first group will exchange about the each country’s music for more than an hour. Comparisons are of course made. Rehearsal places, equipment… But each one also enriches from the others’ experiences, their practices, their playing and musical techniques.

The discussion ends when it has to, Hain Teny and


T he day begins slowly. Wakeups are happening as time goes by. Everyone goes at his own pace. We breakfast, we tidy things up a bit, we prepare.

This afternoon, two groups will take form.

The Serbians and Slovenians go south, towards Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse where they will meet young musicians from the surrounding valley. After

22

Intimn Frizurn are expected for the balances. Tonight’s concert will feature a band composed with musicians who were present at the morning’s exchange, Shaman Culture. They rehearse at the ALC. The concert was a bit painful, because few came.

Meanwhile, The French and the Algerians are going north, towards Paris, take advantage of a morning with

good weather. Incidentally, they go to Pigalle scour the music shops. A productive stroll indeed ! Afterwards, they’re going to the Dame de Canton to make the sound check. On this they will have a little more luck than the first group, because there are almost 100 people on the boat. Everyone’s going back late. Each one will tell quickly about his day, and swiftly go to bed.

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a ki

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« Most of us agreed that tempo of work was maybe a little bit hard but it was also a serious experience and maybe a touch of thing called professionalism. So we all could see how it looks like when you have schedule and some things that have to be done… » Milorad - Percuss ion is t - Serbia

23

Morning - Free Morning - Free Morning - Free Morning - Free

4.00 Pm - Sound checkCachan, La Kokarde

4.00 Pm - Sound checkCachan, La Kokarde Afternoon - Free 1.30 Pm - Soundcheck and Gig

Les Ulis, Radazic

9.00 Pm - GigCachan, La Kokarde

9.00 Pm - GigCachan, La Kokarde Night - Free Night - Free after the gig

Sunday, the 16th

offered to the audience. Orange blossom, almond paste, honey, pistachio… the scents mix marvelously with the music. Mint tea is also poured, served with pine kernels and the Hamoud flowed restlessly. The atmosphere is relaxed. Parents and children enjoy this quality time. At the end of the afternoon, the equipment is put back in the truck, and we leave with it, back to the camp. The evening will be calm. Intimn Frizurn and Hain Teny take advantage of their day


A nother sleep for everyone. In advance for the next week which will be busy. From the start, the rate of work has been exhausting. Break times

are scare. After all, Sunday is supposed to be a day off.

Once again, two groups are gathering. Djmawi Africa go to Les Ulis, for a snack concert in le Radazic. Some Algerian friends prepared tons of pastries, which are

24

off to visit Paris. It would be a shame not to do a little tourism. Weather is cold but shiny, and the trip along the Seine riverbanks is very pleasant.

The meeting for the sound check is only at 4.00pm. The concert will take place in Cachan, on Normale Sup’s campus, in the Kokarde. The place is « underground » and everyone is at ease. Whilst the stage is being set

up, beer flows and the minds wander, reading years of tags and love letters scribbled on the walls. The concerts’ outcome is halftone. The audience doesn’t really come and some will leave rather disappointed. An artist’s life is sometimes tough…

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s cœ

urs

qui e

n so

rtent

viv

ants

et b

eaux

…

« Concerts were a story of their own. It was great to see how hard it is to win the audience or even to get them to your show, but how grateful they are when you convince them. Even though there were only a few people attending most of the concerts this left a special mark on me ; a band struggling in a foreign country… that’s what I wrote for a Slovenian music magazine later. » Andraž - Journal is t - S lovenia

25

10.00 Am - Forum Palaiseau or Paris visit



9.00 Am - Departure to Fresnes Jail


Night - Free Night - Free Night - Free Night - Free

Monday, the 17th

The third party will go to the MJC (youth club) in Palaiseau. Aolf has organized a day of meetings/conferences there. In the morning, the questions about European funding for culture and youth will be addressed. The afternoon will be dedicated to artists’ social rights in Europe, and to the right to culture in Europe.

We will also talk about the mobility of the aforementioned


A nother morning… Waking up is more and more difficult. After ten days, fatigue has definitely settled. Anyway, we need to get in motion, and

we part again, in three this time. The first party goes to Fresnes. They are the Algerians. They will give this afternoon a concert in front of prisoners in the penitentiary. The second part will go to Paris, eager to unleash a shopping-spree in Pigalle’s shops !

26

artists. Despite a noticeable lack of contributors, the debates are rich and passionate. We learn a lot. Technical stuff, of course : funding, support plans, networks, projects… but also more sensitive issues, on practice conditions, on difficulties encountered in such or such country, by such or such musician… Each goes back enriched. It’s a success.

Back « home », we look back on everyday life. It is not easy to be forty in the same place to live… We make profit of this time to readjust the planning. Fatigue is definitely there and as to keep it in check, we all agree to make tomorrow a day off. We wouldn’t want to get exhausted before the finale…

If th

ere

are

war

s th

at e

rase

sto

ries,

Ther

e ar

e st

orie

s th

at c

anno

t be

eras

ed.

Stor

ies

of fr

iend

s w

hich

kee

ps o

ur s

tory

aliv

e.

« One of our adventures was a concert in the prison. I believe we all felt sort of uncomfortable being trapped between walls. But all in all it turned out to be a pleasant experience if not the most pleasant one. On that day I also received my Algerian name Wahid, or at least that’s what I think it’s spelled… It bears the same meaning as my name in Slovenian Primož – the First Man. » Mambus - Dr iver (and so much more…) - Slovenia

27


Afternoon - Free Afternoon - Free Afternoon - Free Afternoon - Free

7.00 Pm - Final gig meeting 7.00 Pm - Final gig meeting 7.00 Pm - Final gig meeting 7.00 Pm - Final gig meeting

Tuesday, the 18th

entire day. So the room doors won’t open until late in the morning. While having breakfast, we all feel that this longer night wasn’t useless. Faces appear rested even if some can hardly emerge. Around a coffee, we take our time. We chatter, we joke, we tease each other… The time is pretty convivial. Then, we make profit of the free time to tidy up the private and common rooms a bit. We


A nother day of meetings was planned today. Unfortunately, the place has changed at the last minute, and it is finally cancelled because few

people seem to come.

Honestly, it is not such a bad thing. We negotiated a morning off the day before; we were offered the

28

test the campus’ washing machines, a few buildings away. Each of us takes care of himself, which is far from being unpleasant.

Time will fly this afternoon. A stroll in the surroundings or in Paris for a group, nap for the others. Everyone goes at his own pace. There is still an imperative : attending to the

night meeting on time. We will then address the technical setup of the final concert. The track set has been freeze for a few days but we need to prepare the transitions. This operation asks for a solid organization. Forty musicians switching on stage, it is indeed a delicate matter. It also has to be convenient. After negotiations, we find a consensus. We will try it tomorrow !

« We used on of the free days to visit Paris and of course paid a visit to the music stores in Pigalle. We spent hours just running in and out from the stores and were totally fascinated by the many things can you get in France. But when we visited Pigalle at night, it was a different scene. It was funny how ladies of the night were sitting next to us, sending us kisses… » Andraž - Journal is t - S lovenia

Ako

post

oje

rato

vi k

oji o

briš

u pr

iče,

Post

oje

i prič

e ko

je ra

t ne

briš

e.Pr

iče

prija

telja

u k

ojm

a ov

a na

ša p

riča

osta

je!

29

9.45 Am - Departure to common rehearsal Montrouge, Studio Music Live




6.30 Pm - Return to housingFree or beginning of final stage’s installation




Wednesday, the 19th

sensitive issue. We have to make the last adjustments on the pieces, to work on each musician’s stage disposition but also to prepare technical transitions. The musicians have their part to play because their role is essential to the good flow of operations. It requires focus and listening. We have to be conciliatory too. It is laborious. But the mechanics are starting to go smoothly, things link better and better. We start over several times. A noticeable


W e have gotten used to rest, to a quiet pace, but this morning, there’s no way we are moping around. The Music Live studio in Montrouge

opens its gates at 10.00 am and we can’t afford to lose an instant. Today, there will be the dress rehearsal for the finale.

Based on what we discussed the previous night. It is a

30

amount of time is dedicated to the introduction song. All of this begins to take shape. Satisfaction is not at its utmost, but a big step has been made.

By the end of the afternoon, we pack the equipment back. It’s time for it to go to its final place, the MJC in Fresnes, where the show will take place, in two days from now.

For all the musicians, the day has been long and exhausting. So, each will be free as on his planning for the night. Some would like to stay in the « camp » for a quiet evening. Others would rather go to the MJC in Fresnes, along with the technicians. The evening and most of the night will be dedicated to setting up the stage.

« We lived through a pretty strong experience, which marked us, during which we had the chance to meet people of several nationalities, from different cultures, to exchange on our ideas and experiences, to share string moments, which will stay engraved in our memories. This project has personally tought me many things, on the management, activities organization, rehearsal or concert’s plannings and timetables setup levels, etc… Or on the technical level, for the mission I was assigned, which is lighting up the stage. » Younès - Light Technician - A lger ia

31

9.45 Am - Installation of the common final stageFresnes, Mjc




Afternoon - Final rehearsal Fresnes, Mjc




6.30 Pm - Free 6.30 Pm - Free 6.30 Pm - Free 6.30 Pm - Free

Thursday, the 20th

We go to storm the MJC. We literally invaded it, for that matter. Here, we take a little time to perfect the stage setup so as to make the moves on it as the simplest and easiest possible. Waiting times are long. Sometimes, and besides the surrounding activity, we find an inanimate body in one of the armchairs facing the stage.


T he sun rises on a day that promises to be long. The finale rehearsal ! Behold what everyone’s got on his mind at his first step out of bed.

Half-anxiosity, half-excitement. The general feeling is difficult to determine with accuracy. Fatigue is quite present but there’s a storm brewing. What appeared as so distant fifteen days ago becomes now real in a way no one would have suspected.

32

Once all seems positioned in a suitable and convenient way, we start the rehearsal. Track by track, we make the movements again, we go over the entries and the exits, we refine the moves. We start over if any mess, uncertainty, hesitation. Again and again.

On the technical side, sound, light, recording are set up with as much meticulousness as possible. Everything

has to be perfect despite the complexity of the task and the transitions.

At the end of the day, everyone is worn out, and even if the feeling to be ready isn’t there, we’d better stop. The evening promises to be very quiet, as we need to be fit. Tomorrow’s day is foreseen as a marathon. And the party…

« That day was the longest & closest day of all the project… » Petar - Gui tar is t - Serbia

33

Morning - Rest Morning - Rest Morning - Rest Morning - Rest

12.00 Pm - Departure to the final Rehearsal Fresnes, Mjc




8.30 Pm - Final GigFresnes, Mjc




Friday, the 21th

During the afternoon, at the time of the dress rehearsal, things don’t really get better. The stress grows. Yet, the rehearsal goes smoothly, even if it has to last a little longer than predicted. Besides, we only go through it once. It is of vital interest to preserve the good mood of the musicians. At the end of the practice, stress seems to be at its paroxysm. All nap-welcoming places are taken for a moment. But the sleep is short and troubled.


O n the morning of the big day (finally !… already ?!), everyone takes his time. Some stay in bed late, some make profit of the break before the big

show. Stage fright appears, at the end of this morning. It’s almost tangible and the faces are closed. The mood is not set to humour, but to focus. When its time departure, one can feel a certain nervousness. It’s 12.30 pm when the vans go through the MJC’s parking doors.

34

Then we eat dinner together for the last time. Despite the storm brewing, the atmosphere is casual somehow. We tease each other, talking loud, we laugh. Some minds may already be dreaming about tomorrow, the tidying, the departure, but nothing shows through. We enjoy small eternity instant.

The audience comes slowly, the evening starts with the showing of the documentary on the 2007 Aolf Tour. Meanwhile, a last briefing takes place in the dressing room. Come the three bangs, curtain opens. On stage, gentlemen! In the looks, the smiles, emotion is visible… We did it, and the following of the story is already being written…

« With 40 people during 20 days and so much to do… need to fix the master planning ! » Vincent - Organizer - France« When we set up AOLF, it was at first a friendship story. Colline, me and a little crazy bet at the time. If I look in the rear-view mirror, I have to claim that we started a lot of friendships. Not simple mates, but people who will come to your wedding, your funerals or your birthday. Thus, if one can summarize a youngster exchange, AOLF projects and the association’s values, it would be above all a human journey, or even humanitarian. Mambus for instance is a true friend. I learnt so much from him, that I think it’s really worth doing what we did ! If only we could spread the experience to everybody ! »Yann - Organizer - France

Če

so v

ojne

ki b

rišej

o zg

odbe

, So

tudi

zgo

dbe

ki n

e m

orej

o bi

ti zb

risan

e.

35

« Pure energy coming out on stage after 15 days of gigs and rehearsals… Fixing every sound, mics, chairs, monitors for the last common show was hard but this is easy when your are with a motherfucking crazy international team !! I can tell :) ! […] Great pleasure with this project !! Even if it was tiring and stressing at the same time… maybe that’s why I felt it so deep inside me ?! » Vincent - Organizer - France

« Having never been a musician or an actor, or else, I never climbed on a stage ! But then, watching the people who know how to do it, I know how to do that! All the more when there’s a bond, and the artists are getting their kicks out of it… it gives shivers of excitement ! At this time, I practically had a feeling of satisfaction… We did it. 30 seconds later, I’m already thinking about tidying up and looking back on it… »Yann - Organizer - France

« The big stress ! Great memory, this final slam… As a matter of fact, in Alger, during the preparation of the project, I listened to one of Mamienco’s interludes, and I thought I could put a slam on it. But I never would have thought I would do it!! All the “singers” of Djmawi chickened out, but I stood ! Ok ! Part of it was kind of a big mess ! Too many people at the end of the gig !!! But it was terrible !!! »Abdou - Gui tar is t - A lger ia

« At Europa’s gates… that brings back so many things, so many memories, moments of sharing, music and fusion of artistic and cultural influences… but most of the entire human experience which will forever be engraved in my memory. To see Jeff and David play karkabou, the chicha break with Karim and Mambus, Petar starting to speak Arabian… hahaha… That all ! » Zahir - Tour manager - A lger ia

« Really BIG band….great organization for this number of people… » Igor - Drummer - Slovenia

« The last concert ?! AMAZING ! How everything went well, looked and sounded great ! When I saw Žiga and Igor smiling on the stage I knew they had a great time. It was really one great experience which I am happy I was invited to. Hope I see you guys sometime, somewhere… and that we’ll all remember this experience ! » Andraž - Journal is t - S lovenia

And finally…38

S’il

y a

des

guer

res

qui e

fface

nt d

es h

isto

ires,

Il y

a de

s hi

stoi

res

qui s

e pe

rpét

uent

Qu’

une

guer

re n

e pe

ut e

fface

r. So

uvie

ns to

i !

39

CD INFORMATIONSBands are :

DJMAWI AFRICA / AlgeriaFusion / Afro-beat / Rockwww.djmawi-africa.com www.myspace.com/djmawiafrica

HAIN TENY / Serbia Hip Hop / Nu-Jazz / Funk www.hainteny.comwww.myspace.com/hainteny INTIMN FRIZURN / SloveniaNew Wave / Reggae / Alternative www.intimn-frizurn.comwww.myspace.com/intimnfrizurn

MAMIENCO / FranceChanson rock www.myspace.com/mamienco

Recorded Live during Soundcheck / Stage Rehearsal and Gig in MJC Louise Michel (Fresnes 94, France) on the 20th and 21st of November 2008.

Recorded by Yacine Mdarhri AlaouiMixed and Mastered by Fabien Aubert

Gig technicians:FOH : Miha Eržen, Mohamed Adel BenmoussaMonitors : Maxime Hellner, Fabien AubertStage : Mathieu DeronLights : Jonathan Climent, Younes Khelifi

01 / INTRO / 3’54 soundcheck versionAll bands togetherCollective music composition and Khaled Mouaki (Slamyka) lyrics

Electric Guitar : Žiga RViolin : FethiAccordion : LoïcKeyboards : MarkoLead Vocal : Zohir, Milan, Milorad, David

02 / INTERLUNE / 5’00 soundcheck versionMamienco & Djmawi Africabased on an original Mamienco music and Khaled Mouaki (Slamyka) lyrics

Drums : MouradBass : KarimPercussion : Zohir, AmineKarkabou : Djamil, JeffViolin : FethiClarinet : MohamedBass clarinet : FlorentAccordion : LoïcLead Vocal : Abdelaziz Back Vocal : Fethi, Zohir, Djamil, Amine

03 / SAADIYA / 7’17 gig version Mamienco & Djmawi Africabased on an Gnawa patrimony music & lyrics

Drums : MouradBass : KarimElectric Guitar : Abdelaziz, JeffShaker : Zohir Bendir : AmineKarkabou : Fethi, Zohir, Amine, Abdelaziz

Gumbri : DjamilClarinet : MohamedBass clarinet : FlorentAccordéon : LoïcLead Vocal : Djamil Back Vocal : Fethi, Abdelaziz, Zohir, Amine

04 / AFROBEAT / 6’15gig versionDjmawi Africa & Hain Tenybased on an original Gnawa patrimony music & lyrics, and Hain Teny lyrics

Drums : MouradBass : KarimElectric Guitar : Abdelaziz, Petar Bongos, congas : MiloradKarkabou, back vocals : Fethi, Zohir, AmineGumbri : DjamilSaxophone Soprano : MohamedTurntables : DusanKeyboards : MarkoLead Vocal : Djamil, Nemanja, Milorad

05 / ON THE EDGE / 3’15gig versionHain Teny & Intimn Frizurnbased on an original Hain Teny music and lyrics

Drums: IgorBass: Žiga KElectric Guitar : Žiga RGroove box (Roland 303) : PetarTurntables : DusanKeyboards : MarkoLead Vocal : Milan, Nemanja, Milorad

06 / BOUNCE / 3’38soundcheck versionHain Teny & Intimn Frizurnbased on an original Intimn Frizurn song, Hain Teny / Intimn Frizurn lyrics

Drums : IgorBass : Žiga KElectric Guitar : Žiga R, PetarBongos, congas : MiloradTurntables : DusanKeyboards : MarkoBeatbox : AdamLead Vocal : Milan, Nemanja, Adam

07 / SUMMERTIME / 5’04soundcheck versionHain Teny & Intimn Frizurnbased on an original GeorgeG music & lyrics, and Hain Teny lyrics

Drums : IgorBass : Žiga KElectric Guitar : Žiga R, PetarBongos, congas : MiloradTurntables : DusanKeyboards : MarkoLead Vocal : Milan, Nemanja, Milorad, Adam

08 / STROLLIN’ / 3’28soundcheck versionHain Teny & Mamiencobased on an original Hain Teny music and lyrics

Drums : DavidBass : JeffElectric Guitar : PetarClarinet : FlorentAccordion : Loïc

Turntables : DusanKeyboards : MarkoLead Vocal : Nemanja, Milorad Back vocal : Jeff, David

09 / CUANTO DURERA / 5’08soundcheck versionHain Teny & Mamiencobased on an original Mamienco musical idea and Hain Teny lyrics

Drums : DavidBass : JeffElectric Guitar : PetarClarinet : FlorentAccordion : LoïcTurntables : DusanKeyboards : MarkoLead Vocal : Nemanja, Milorad

10 / ASSIS / 4’16 soundcheck versionIntimn Frizurn & Djmawi Africabased on an original Intimn Frizurn musical idea

Drums : MouradBass : Žiga KElectric Guitar : Žiga Derbouka : Zohir Percussions : Igor, MiloradViolin : FethiClarinet : Mohamed

11 / ILLISS / 5’28soundcheck versionIntimn Frizurn & Djmawi Africabased on an original Djmawi Africa music and lyrics

Drums : IgorBass : KarimElectric Guitar : Žiga R, Abdelaziz Acoustic Guitar : MouradDerbouka : MilanBendir & Djembe : ZohirViolin : FethiGumbri : DjamilClarinet : MohamedFlute : AmineLead Vocal : Mourad, Milan, Djamil Back Vocal : Fethi, Zohir, Amine

12 / HIDE BABY / 5’49soundcheck versionIntimn Frizurn & Djmawi Africabased on an original Intimn Frizurn music and Djmawi Africa / Intimn Frizurn Lyrics

Drums : IgorBass : Žiga KElectric Guitar : Žiga RDerbouka and percussions : ZohirKarkabou & Back Vocal : Fethi, Zohir, Amine, AbdelazizMandol : FethiGumbri : DjamilLead Vocal : Djamil, Milan

13 / WHITE WIDOW / 3’05 soundcheck versionIntimn Frizurn & Mamiencobased on an original Intimn Frizurn music and lyrics

Drums : IgorBass : Žiga K

Electric Guitar : Žiga R, Jeff Clarinet : FlorentAccordéon : LoïcLead Vocal : Milan

14 / TOO MANY / 6’32gig version All bands togetherbased on an original Mamienco music and lyrics

Drums : DavidBass : JeffElectric Guitar : Žiga R Percussion : Milorad, Marko, ZohirKarkabou : Zohir, Amine, FethiGumbri : DjamilSoprano saxophone : MohamedClarinet : FlorentAccordion : LoïcViolin : FethiLead Vocal : Djamil, Milan, Milorad, Loïc, JeffBack Vocal : everyone !!

BOOK INFORMATIONS Text : Lucile Jauffret

Translation : Benoit Mazière, Gratien Jauffret, Samson Jauffret

Correction : Cécile Forest

Testimony : Andraz (slo), Abdou (alg), Igor (slo), Luka (hr), Mambus (slo), Marko (hr), Milorad (sr), Petar (sr),Vincent (fr), Yann (fr), Younes (alg), Zahir (alg)

Pictures:Walid, and some others…

DVD INFORMATIONS«Aux Portes de l’Europe»Documentary - 28’52

Realised and directed by Adam-Luka Turjak

Video takes and sound by Marko Rukavina

Montage by Adam-Luka Turjak One word from the realisator : « I have nothing to say, but things in video. Or you want something about me ? - I still have nothing to say… I have put my email address at the end of video, so if anyone has a question, I can answer :o) »

BONUS

4 Live Videos from the Gig : Saadiya, Afrobeat, On the Edge & Too Many, in MJC Louise Michel (Fresnes 94, France), the 21st of November 2008

Videos takes by Adam-Luka Turjak, Marko Rukavina, Réjane Mouillot

Montage by Adam-Luka Turjak

GRAPHISMStudio [email protected]

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«Aux portes de l’Europe» supported by:

THANKS TO :First, to all the people who trusted us for this project : Jean François, Nadia and all their team from « Un Notre Monde » (CG Val de Marne), Saida Bellaid and the DDJS91, Ludovic Brun and the European program « Youth In Action », Marco, Catherine and Palaiseau Youth Cultural Center crew, Karim and the Fresnes Youth Cultural Center crew, Murielle Gadiffert, Matthieu Andueza and MA Cera, and the Conseil Général de l’Essonne, Magalie Audion and lasemaine.org. All people from AOLF crew who gave us a hand : Colline, Laurence, Lucile, Julien, Paco, Christelle, Nico, Lucie, Gaëlle, Djeff, Céveryne, Arthur, Sophie, Arno, Julie, Alix, Fabien, Adrien, Mathieu, Réjane, Aurore, Les Skalopes, Xavier, Manu, Simon, Bino, Laurent.

All organisations who helped us : La Sauce Dibim, CROUS de Versailles and Ghislain, Ecole Centrale de Paris, SUM, ALC, Kfet Chez Yvette, Dame de Canton, ENS Cachan, Radazik and the Ulis municipality, SPIP77 and Philippe, SPIP94 and Romain, la Chaufferie and Pierre, le Tremplin, Music Live, Fédération Musiciens Internationaux, Musique Libre, M.Richaudeaux, Le plus petit cirque du monde, Charles Birchler, Lucienne Serrat, Relais Culture Europe, Rezonne, AudioLive, Camille & Mains d’œuvre…and all people we forgot…sorry.

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- But tel l me… just what is i t that you want to do ?

- We wanna be free ! We wanna be free to do what we wanna do ! We wanna forget yesterday, l ive today and dream tomorrow…

To be cont inued...

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