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Describe the atmosphere and live music at a local pub, restaurant, festival, church or temple, club night.... inspire other people to check it out!
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Musician: Modeste Hugues
Location: London
Instruments: guitar/voice
Music: Malagasy
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HOW I CAME TO THIS MUSICÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýWHERE I PLAYÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýA FAVOURITE SONG |
  
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 ÌýÌýListen (37'25) to Modeste’s acoustic set, performed at the World on your Street showcase, Womad 2002
ÌýÌýListen (4'14) to ‘Mifona’, performed by Modeste on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 3’s ‘World Routes’, 7th September, 2002
ÌýÌýListen (2'06) to Modeste talk about his music
 ÌýÌýWatch (1'43) a video of Modeste's set in the World on your Street Tent, Womad 2002.
Read more about Modeste, upcoming gigs etc. on his
Where I Play:
There are actually only 97 Malagasy addresses in the UK with just 10 in London so we’re a small but connected community. I usually play for our community events like the National Celebration on 26th June when we mark our independence from France in 1960. We usually hold it on a Saturday so everyone can relax, dance, eat, drink and enjoy the day together.
I also play at festivals. This year, my 10 year old son accompanied me on percussion when we played at a Diaspora Festival here in London. He sometimes helps me writing songs too. He’s got lots of ideas but as to whether he’ll become a musician full-time, that’s entirely up to him and what he wants from life.
 The Kashmir Club here in London is another favourite spot of mine. It’s a relaxed place where all musicians are welcome to come down and play even without a band. You just need to book your spot though I’ve often been persuaded to do a few impromptu numbers on nights when I’ve gone to watch the show. I love playing there because the audience is really receptive and wide-ranging. It’s also a great place to meet other musicians and all the concerts are broadcast live every night over the internet. In fact that’s where I met Dale Hansen, a percussionist and sound engineer who is currently working with me to produce my first solo album. Del’s half Greek and as I spend a lot of time in Greece, we’ve had much in common musically. I had tried to record my own music by myself in a home studio but it nearly drove me crazy. It’s much more manageable working with Del.
A few years ago I played in a duo called Zalama with a fellow-Malagasy, Nogabe, a really gifted drummer. Even though we had something really exciting developing, he decided to move to China where much of his family already live and where he’s part of a fairly exciting Malagasy-reggae band. I was sad that he left but I’m now settled into my solo work so it’s fine.
Of course I play every day myself for at least 15 minutes. Any time life gets difficult and I feel angry or frustrated or London becomes a bit too hectic, I just take up my guitar and play. It keeps me cool.
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