Simply Six: Rahe

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer.  For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later.  Is there such a defining moment for you?

When I was 5 years old, I would sneak out in the middle of the night to play Flamenco music with the gypsies in the streets of Sevilla. The passion and fire of the palmas, guitars, dancers, and wailing voices, the beautiful ancient versos passed down from generation to generation... it was all so magical to me. I remember a song by Spanish artist Antonio Flores that said “Oye, pero mira yo soy Flamenco, por mi vena yo lo siento” which translates to “Listen, I am Flamenco, I feel it flowing through my veins”. For these people, music is the essence of who they are as beings. The first time I sang those words I knew nothing would come between me and music, because in my veins, music runs thicker than blood. And in that moment, I knew my destiny was to pursue this path.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?  Who are some of your favorites?

I listen to all kinds of music, everything from Jazz to Hip-hop, Afrobeat to Bossa nova, Soul and R&B to Singer-songwriters... so many styles. My very favorite stuff, though, usually falls into two categories: artists who are no longer with us or who come from other countries. Jazz legends like Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane really hit home for me, great singers like Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Otis Redding, and Ray Charles, and then there are my favorite Spanish artists like Joan Manuel Serrat and Concha Buika, Sara Tavares from Portugal, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 from Nigeria, Habib Kotié from Mali, as well as classic Brazilian artists like João Gilberto and Tom Jobim, Buena Vista Social Club and the Afro-Cuban All Stars (and anything Cuban, really), Jorge Drexler from Uruguay... and the list goes on. One of my recent discoveries and new favorites, who I just had the honor of meeting at the Globalquerque World Music Festival last month, is Nawal from the Comoros Islands - she is just stunning!

Music from the past and from foreign places is special to me because there is a whole different sensibility about it - it speaks to you on another level; digs deep into your core. To listen to it is almost like traveling to that other place or time in history and experiencing the hardships, the joys, the passion, and gaining an understanding of the unique perspective and identity of that certain country or period in time. 

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

When I held my CD, Out of the Box, in my hand for the first time - what a feeling! To have something concretely represent what you do, something you can point to and say "Wow, I did that!" - it feels like such an amazing accomplishment. And considering all the wonderful people involved, all the work and time and effort that went into the project… it's just a really special thing to have evidence of that collaboration, especially when it's something you are proud of. I feel such tremendous appreciation and joy every time I look at it.

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to?   How much can music influence current events?

Absolutely - I think music is the answer to peace in the world, the best means for creating harmony between people who are completely different from one another. Music lives inside the heart and soul of every person, no matter where they come from, what their beliefs are, what color their skin is, or how old they are. I’ve found, with all the traveling I’ve done throughout my life, that music is truly the universal language that unites all people of all walks of life. I’ve never experienced a more powerful force.

In terms of current events, I think music can be incredibly influential, because it hits you at another level – it feeds both the conscious and the subconscious mind, so it targets both your emotions and your intellect. It fuels the passion inside of you; makes tears flow, smiles linger, and bonds form. Music creates awareness of a very unique sort – which is why I chose to name my group illumiNation, because our purpose is to do just that – to illuminate; to bring consciousness and light into the world through our music. Look at the impact of artists like John Coltrane, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, John Lee Hooker, Bob Dylan, John Lennon – artists like these have shined a light on the issues of racism, sexism, war, politics… you name it. Music, throughout history, has always played a key role in making this impact on the public, of waking us up and inspiring us to make a difference in whatever way we can.

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected your career as a musician?

I have a love-hate relationship with technology. I’m such an old soul, so I have a hard time dealing with the way technology interferes with little pleasures of life I hold so dear – namely, the face-to-face connection with other human beings. It can become a really unhealthy distraction, because ironically, being “plugged in” seems to result in people “checking out” completely. I find that creativity is often thwarted by it because, if you have the right kind of gadget at your disposal – voila! – everything can be done for you instantly at the push of a button. I have also noticed that people are less likely to make an effort to go see a show or search for an album because they can easily download it for free or check it out on YouTube instead. That human-to-human interaction, the core of the musical experience, is lost. I find that part so heartbreaking, because that, to me, is where the magic happens. But I do also see the value that technology gives us in terms of connecting with people all across the globe, and being able to share my music with people I would never have contact with any other way is truly a beautiful thing.

6.  Now for my Barbara Walters question:  If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

High-Heeled Sneakers. Hands down.