She Got Soul: Talie Ayiti interview part 2

 This is the second part of Nathalie Cerin's little chat with A l'Haitienne. Find the first part along with a short introduction  here

AL:What is the most challenging thing about breaking into the music industry? 

NC: The most challenging would be that people tend to only associate Konpa as Haitian music. I enjoy Konpa just as much as the next person, but people are really cheating themselves of wonderful musical discoveries by only limiting themselves to listening to konpa when it comes to Haitian music. Haitians tend to not be too interested in listening to something if it isn't something they can dance to. My music is more of a "sit down and relax" genre.

I encourage Haitian Americans to look up Haitian artists that are not Konpa singers and see how much their music can really touch you. 

AL: Is it harder for you as an Haitian woman?

NC: Being a woman has its pros and cons when it comes to being a Haitian singer. One of the pros is the shock factor. In Haiti, guitar is a male instrument. People are always so surprised to see me get onstage with my guitar to play as i sing. Haitian men also LOVE to hear music that flatters men, my song "Ti Neg Chelbe" describes a handsome man, and every time I sing it for a Haitian audience, the men in the crowd react as if I'm specifically singing to them. They have a soft spot for us women, and that can really be used to their advantage.

The cons of being a woman is that people might not take you as seriously, because the Haitian Music Industry really is a boys' club.

AL: I know you were in Haiti during the Earthquake. What did you take away from the experience? Tell us a little about "Revolisyon"

NC: I was in Haiti for Christmas break visiting my parents when the earthquake hit. I watched the house I grew up in fall to pieces in front of my eyes. I stayed a few weeks after and translated at a hospital for a European medical team. The song is basically about the desperation I saw during those few weeks, but also about the glimmer of hope and the need to take this as a time for revolution. A change of mindset, a time for unity.

AL: Are you working on any projects right now? Do you have any plans for an album?

NC: My current project is graduate school. I am working on a masters degree in multicultural education that I should be finishing very soon. Musically, I am simply living, loving and writing, and taking the opportunity to perform at wherever allows me to share my art. Hopefully my music projects will be more concrete, but for now I am happy with where it has taken me and the response I have been getting.

AL:What does "A l'Haitienne mean to you? What are some cool/funny things that can be considered strictly "A l'Haitienne"

NC: A L'Haitienne is doing things with your special Haitian woman touch. We're fancy. We don't just fry our eggs with salt and pepper, we season it with maggi. You can't just sneak up behind us in the club to dance with us, you have to ask first. We won't dare serve our man a sandwich after breakfast time, that's not a meal. We're just awesome. :) 

AL: Finally, is their a specific "ti neg" behind "Ti neg chelbe" it's one of my favorite songs and inquiring minds want to know lol

NC: People ask me this question so often...but believe me when I say, it's hypothetical! lol.. It's funny. I wrote this song only a few days after meeting an ex of mine. I know he still, till this day, believes that song is about him. Little does he know, I had come up with the idea and recorded the voice note for that song months before ever meeting for him. The truth is, we all enjoy the sight of a handsome man, but it's not really expected or accepted for us to "holla"...the song is more of a social commentary than anything. A regular girl who spots a handsome guy, and is wracking her brain for ways she could possibly approach him, but in the end realizes that her only chance would only be if he were to fall for her.

We really enjoyed this interview and I hope you do too! Comment and add her on (fb, twitter, youtube) to stay updated on what she's doing. Thanks for reading!

She left her info here. Make sure you check her out!

Follow me on Twitter @Miss_Talie

Like my facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/TalieAyiti

Check out my Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/TalieAyiti

And read my blog: http://www.paleavem.com

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Holding on... made in Haiti!!!

Kudos to JPerry and GraphCity. Simple but beautiful video. I'm looking forward to more like this!

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Do you know Jany?

In the 60's,  a young woman with dreams of becoming a medical doctor stumbled into the modeling world

Models get discovered all the time you might say, but she is something different... She is Jany Tomba!

She's a Vre Fanm Kreyol (Haitian Beauty) with dreams and an unsure future in the great, exciting, and scary world that is NYC in the 1960's.

She went on to become a very popular model covering many magazines and doing ad campaings in the 60's and 70's. She is truly one of the first black supermodels... Proud Haitian roots to boot!

After retiring, she became a painter and these days you can find her still painting, reliving her life through her granddaughter's exhibits and documentary of her, and on many people's inspiration boards.

I hope you know get to know Jany a little bit more after you watch this beautiful documentary about her I Love Jany Video
I'm proud to talk about her and I'm inspired by her life and joy. Thank you Jany!

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Touristic Haiti dreams 3

Saut D'eau Mirebalais Haiti

Not much to say today... Forget anything you've heard and just admire the pictures :)

 1. Kokoye Beach Here

2. Grottes Marie Jeanne Here


3. Saut D'eau

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Macaroni au gratin

Haitian style mac and cheese before I baked it

Sooo I know this is late but I meant to make a Thanksgiving Haitian style post this year but the picture above ended up being all the food pic I took because I actually had to cook this year and I was dead tired by the time the table was ready. When I was done in the kitchen I went to take a nap to while we waited to everybody to get to the house and well let's just say by the time I came back... the table was no more lol.
 If anybody is interested, I'll make a mac and cheese post because my mom makes the best I've ever tasted. It's like the first thing I actually asked her to show me how to make. It's soooooo good. Gosh I could eat it all day!

*Edit : click here for recipe

Haitian style lol

After dinner i also got to spend some time with Esthere!!!!!  I'm still waiting for her to post more on the blog ahem... Yes I'm calling you out Esthere! lol I love this girl  we are always laughing when we're together :)

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Se Kom si

Natural Haitian beauty singing a beautiful song. "Se Kom si", i love this song of Tifane,

Enjoy!

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She Got Soul: Nathalie "Talie" Cerin part 1

A couple of weeks ago, I got the privilege to send Nathalie "Talie Ayiti" Cerin some questions that she answered for me. I asked too many questions and she answered in great detail to all of them... So I've decided not to take anything away and just post our little chat in 2 parts. I'm posting the first part today to also say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Talie. She's an awesome artist and a great person. I'm a huge fan!

This is the second installment of "She Got Soul: Haitian Women in Jazz" Check out Melanie JB Charles here. I first heard Talie on Ayiti Deploge which is Haiti's "unplugged" I loved her instantly and I made it a point to search for more of her music and life story. I'm glad I got to hear a little bit more about her and I want to share her answers with you. Read all of it... You'll love her too.


ALH: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What are the basics of Nathalie and her music? How long have you been singing? Was music always your passion? Etc...

NC: My name is Nathalie, I go by Talie when singing and writing. I am from the beautiful island of Haiti. I currently live in Philadelphia where I am a graduate student studying multicultural education, and pursuing a career in singing. I've been singing my whole life. My parents tell me that I could sing before I could talk. As a baby, they would take me to church and I would sing along with the congregation during the hymns. 

I was blessed enough to be born in a very musical family. My mother is a talented musician she sings, plays the piano, guitar and accordion. My four siblings and I were her little choir when we were younger, and she would make us sing at church and family functions. Three of my sisters grew out of it and no longer wanted to sing. My brother and I, however, stuck to music all along. My brother now sings classical music.

ALH: As I was reading your blog, I noticed that you have a BA in music. I would like to know why you decided to go that route? What was your motivation?

NC: When I was applying to colleges, I did not have the intention of becoming a music major just because music did not seem like a "practical enough" major. But I made sure I only applied to schools that did have music programs just in case I did one day realize that that is what I wanted to do. College applications were so much pressure for me, I felt like my ultimate happiness in life was based on my decision of school and major. So I did a lot of soul searching. I looked at my uncles and mom who ignored their passion for music to be doctors, engineers, professors etc. And I realized I would regret it for the rest of my life if I did not pursue music in school. But as one of my favorite teachers once told me "A major is not a life sentence" ...I took that to heart. I decided to study music, and if being a musician did not work out, I could work in some other heartless field for The Man to pay Sallie Mae back.  

ALH: Do you consider yourself a Jazz singer? Do you classify your music at all? If yes, what advice do you have for young Haitian artists who want to sing/play Jazz music

NC: I like to call my music "Soul Kreyol" or "Creole Soul" ...whichever you prefer. My main advice to young Haitian artists is to never stop looking for inspiration. I've always said the complexities of Haitian life provide the perfect inspiration for an artist. Use your art to make sense of your current situation, to make yourself happy and only you, and hopefully it will in turn touch someone else. 

ALH: Where do you find inspiration for your music? How is your creative process like?

NC:My music, like I advised in the previous question, is my way of making sense of my life. I've lived half of my life in the United States and half of my life in Haiti, I am heavily influenced by both cultures, and often times growing up, that was a little confusing. I would go to the U.S. and be "Haitian"; I would go to Haiti and be "American". My music is a marriage of those two cultures, just like I am: a big Haitian American mixture. 

In terms of vocals, I lean towards the African American soul influence, Haitian artists don't tend to let loose in their ad libs like African Americans do. And my lyrics are in Kreyol, put those two elements together and you get Kreyol Soul.

As for my creative process, I'm a hot random mess. Melodies come to me all through out the day, and when they do I pull out my blackberry and record a voice note. The one day, I sit down and listen to my voice notes and finish the little bursts of inspiration that I recorded. Sometimes I'll get an idea for a song, but it won't become a full fledged song till a year later. It just kind of happens when it happens.

ALH: List your top 3 Haitian artists? Top 3 artists in general? and why?

NC: My top 3 Haitian artists would be:
 1. Belo 2. Emeline Michele and 3. Boulot Valcourt.
 I admire Belo's effortless combining of genres to form his own sound while still keeping it Haitian. His lyrics are always relevant and poetic, and the little rasp in his vioce just keeps things interesting. Emeline Michele is just the diva of all divas. She has set the bar so high for Haitian female singers. I love her from the beginning with songs like "A.K.I.K.O." and "La Chanson de Jocelyne' till now with "Ban'm Lajwa." Boulot Valcourt, I absolutely love. He is amazing live, and he composed the song "Fe Van Pou Mwen" (words by Syto Cave) which is my absolute favorite song in the world. (Emeline Michele has a version of that song on her "Reine de Coeur' album)

My 3 favorite artists in general would have to be: Lauryn Hill, Asa (Nigerian singer), and Belo.

Here she is singing at a  Ayiti Deploge session. Enjoy! I'll be posting my favorite song in the next post.

Part 2 along with contact information for miss Talie Ayiti  is coming soon. Stay tuned!

P.S. check out this post on her blog. I think it's worth reading http://www.paleavem.com/2011/11/commons-sweet-video-leaves-bitter-taste.html

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Chocoune

The History of Choucoune Stolen Legacy
I knew the song from Haiti but I never really thought about the history of Choucoune so I found this article very interesting. Check it out and comment to let me know how you feel about it. I'll share my thoughts later, I just wanted to post this while I remembered.
 http://defend.ht/history/articles/events/1374-the-ordeal-of-yellow-bird
Here's Melanie JB Charles singing Choucoune. I love Melanie Charles so naturally I love her signing this song

Oh and I dedicate this song to Jen :)

Here's a little bit of the history too for a quick read and listen.
Enjoy!

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Un-Haitian food and birthday pics

And so it was on Na's birthday that we decided to be un-Haitian and try some new food. I mean really as a "typical" Haitian you won't see me eat Sushi.... non merci. We, well at least people in my family turn up their noses at other people's food. That actually includes some other Haitian people's food but I digress... Clearly, you can see that Nacha and I have been Americanized hehe. We went to a new place that serves Thai/Japanese/Peruvian food. I was so happy, it felt like my birthday too because I love Thai food hehe...

That is how i discovered green tea ice cream in the form of Mochi (love it!) and crab/avocado salad (love it!)

I definitely recommend Komoon Thai and Sushi in Naples. The service was excellent and the food delicious.

We also went out to dance for 30 minutes because Na had to go to work like a couple hours later :( but it was the best 30 minutes of dancing and pictures ever!!!!!!!

'Twas fun! We plan on doing it again when Jen comes for Christmas. It will be even better!

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Cabbage

This picture makes me happy. These arecabbage rows at Kenscoff. For some reason I always wanted to go to Kenscoff... I like vegetables lol

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Remeniscing...

 It took a beat for us to remember and on cue we started blasting out all the lyrics to this old song. We never missed a word. While I drove with a big smile on my face, my speakers blaring, we remembered every word, every beat, every voice. We laughed at the end about how crazy it is that we remembered everything. Even English words that we did not know the meaning of ages ago back in Haiti when we learned those songs. Now we giggle and scoff " but what are they saying? that is not even a real English word" lol. The lyrics were to some old school King Posse song that was the rage back when we were kids. It brought back so many good feelings... of good times we had in Haiti. Nacha and I, in different cities with different people but with similar memories. Good memories! We love talking about our childhoods, catholic schools, music, crazy church stories. We love to reminisce.
When I came home I wasted all my time on youtube looking up old songs. I stumbled upon one of my favorite songs ever and I promptly realized the impact that song has had over me.

I always thought he was talking about me in this song ... don't tell me he wasn't lol. I'm still in love with this years later and my favorite line " Avec ton look et ton style de reine nubienne" roughly translates to "with your nubian queen style" and interestingly enough, people have been describing my style in similar terms lately. At any rate I think I will have a rap kreyol post soon about old school Haitian rap artists because I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately and I have lots of awesome songs to share :)

-Stephie-

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Queens watching the Lion King

Queens watching the Lion King!!?  Humm... you might be curious to know who are those queens? Were are they? What exactly i am talking about? Well, look at these pictures and tell me what you see...

 

Ahhh! you see what i am talking about now? From left to right in the first picture are : Amahoola Ikechi, Princess Na (me), and Martine. Second picture from left to right are: Princess Na (me again lol) ,Steph, and Amahoola Ikechi.
We decided to watch "Lion King 3D"because we consider ourselves queens, Haitian queens that is. So now it became" Queens watching The Lion King."
We had a lot of fun. We took beautiful pictures, this one is my favorite:

Notice how we are all different in looks but we are still natural beauties. That is real Haitian queenly beauty for you lol
This was a great outing! Oh i forgot to say: While we decided to take a picture of all of us together, the camera fell down and broke. Our hearts collectively broke in pieces... well not really we still enjoyed ourselves . Thanks Ladies! Thanks my Queens!

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Oh Africa!

This video is an awesome combination of art and music. Feel free to dance! Enjoy :-)

-Jen-

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Picture of a beach in Haiti. I find this simple picture very intriguing and thought I would share it. Feel free to post whatever descriptive words that comes to mind. Here's one: Serene

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Grottes: Caves in Haiti

While looking at beautiful places to add to my Haiti travel plans, I stumbled upon Grotte Marie-Jeanne. I was in awe! It looked intimidating and breathtaking at the same time. I wanted to learn more about it, and other caves in Haiti. I thought about preservation and the touristic values that those caves presented all the while doubting that anything positive is being done with those beautiful sites.

With a little research, I found the caves of Haiti project where I learned that although a lot of caves have been found, there has only been 2 explorations done in Haiti prior to the group working on them in 2008. Imagine the history hiding inside those walls! I'm a living history fanatic. I mean, real artifacts and pictographs from the indigenous people are hiding inside those caves! Things like this excite me and it breaks my heart that they exist and we don't get the chance to explore and appreciate them.

Mystery surround those caves in Haiti, with lots of folklore tales and voudou ceremonies that keep some people away. Those, like or otherwise who do frequent those caves with no guides and precaution destroy a lot historical artifacts and leave things behind like graffiti, unfortunately.
At any rate, I hope to be able to visit at least one of the caves someday. Preferrably one without any big spiders... or any deadly animals. Which probably means if I make it to one, I'll just stand outside and take pictures ha!
Check out the project started in 2009 here http://www.cavesofhaiti.org/Les-Grottes,2.html sorry but the site is in French.
Here are some pictures of Grotte Marie-Jeanne, which is possibly the biggest cave in the Caribbean. It's a series of caves that is situated in the Southwest region of Haiti, part of the "Massif de la Hotte" area. It's in Port a Piment
Enjoy!

 

Port a Piment

 

grafiti :(

 

Lots of species of tarantulas found. Um no thank you lol

To see more things that they discovered and learn more about Grotte Marie Jeanne visit http://www.grottemariejeanne.com/index.php
it's in English :)

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More of my favorite food!

I haven't been thrilled with how unfit I've become lately, so I've finally gotten serious about getting back to healthy habits. I started eating healthier... but I cannot give up my favorite food. banann avek pwason!!! Remember the last Haitian Plate!
So I've resolved to make them differently now no more frying! So this is how I eat my bannan avek pwason

and like this when I get tired of the above. These plaintains are ripe...

Sooo yeah. I've been able to avoid white rice and meat for some time now. Once in a while I'll get a little bit on the side but I've mostly been eating fruits and veggies. I can do this only because my mom is trying to eat healthier too since apparently she now has cholesterol problems. She is not giving me grief about "not eating"

In another note, I finally used the pool yesterday. Makes no sense to have a pool and not use it... Of course it's not summer anymore so it's a good thing that Florida heat knows no season. It was in the upper 90's!
This has definitely solidify my #teamfitbody dreams. Maybe I should've done this earlier haha.

A combination of pose, sucking in and several shots to get this lol. By my bday I need to get this without trying :)

Peep the garden in the background. I'm telling you these Haitians I live with know no boundaries. Kareman they have the backyard looking like a Haitian garden ... Well  actually I enjoy the fresh food so I'm not complaining hehe.
-Stephie-

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Riddim Runway 2011: Caribbean Fashion and Music for a cause

Riddim Runway is a fashion show/benefit concert that takes place annually in southwest florida.
When I found out that all this show was free... You know my Haitian self had to make it there.
None of my friends were available so I dragged my mom and my little sister with me ( hey let's make it a family affair all we need to hear is "free")
Well we were late... no surprise there, but we did get to enjoy most of the show.We brought the canned food that we wanted to donate to the charity du jour ( a soup kitchen) and then we enjoyed the night

Every outfit here was less than 20 dollars!

Fashion wise- we saw 3 collections and they were ok. most of the things I saw, I probably wouldn't wear but it was fun to watch them prance around the stage to awesome reggae music.

Ky-Enie

Wayne Wonder!!!

Music wise-We got to see Kehv, Ky Enie and Wayne Wonder. The first 2 I really didn't know much but my mom liked Kehv (she even wanted to buy his cd...I know right) I like Ky Enie and I love love Wayne Wonder :) I'm glad I got to hear some of his new songs along with oldies such as "no letting go"

with Keyv

We were dancing, singing, laughing fools :)
It was so much fun and I'm glad I went with my mom, I didn't know she would enjoy it so much. She's now telling everybody that she saw " superstar Wayne Ronda" hehe

Mama and little sis my loves

Moi :)

we headed home tired and satisfied. We will definitely try to make it next year. We love free fun!!!!!!!

Oh and I took some really bad videos  of Wayne Wonder lol here's one of the better ones

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Kanaval- Fashion and Benefit

 I saw this and thought I would share. It's for a great cause so if you find yourself in the area and if you like this kind of thing you should definitely stop by :)

The fashion and photography is different and interesting

KANAVAL is a fashion installation inspired by the rich tradition of Haitian Carnival. This unique fashion benefit exhibition for Haiti features menswear designer Hvrminn’s latest project. Curated by world-renowned Haitian photographer Marc Baptiste, the KANAVAL collection will be auctioned off, in addition to limited edition photographic prints, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Baby Joseph. Baby Joseph is 10-year-old girl living in Cité Soleil, an impoverished commune in Port-au-Prince. Marc Baptiste met Baby Joseph on a recent trip to Haiti, where he learned that she is in immediate need of a complex reconstructive surgery. As a young child, Baby Joseph’s right hand was badly burned and she did not receive proper medical attention at the time. Her condition is worsening and she needs immediate medical attention to avoid losing her hand altogether. The money raised from KANAVAL will go directly to Baby Joseph to cover the cost of her x-rays, medical evaluation by a team of  New York doctors in Croix de Bouquet, and follow-up surgical procedures.

http://thekanaval.com/

WHEN: Thursday, September 15th, 2011 7-9pm
WHERE: Blank Studios, 52 Walker Street, 3rd Floor
RSVP Essential: rsvp@thekanaval.com

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Map li ak ke kontan: Summer Stories Series

Le Jardin d'Enfant I remember those days of reading and reciting lovely poetry, drawing with chalk, singing French nursery rhymes, carefree.

 When physical education was playing non-stop tag, jump roping with cousins and friends - double dutch. The days of "M'ap Li ak Kè Kontan", listening to the grownups tell folktales, feeling sorry for Bouki while being entertained by the wits of Malice (Bouki et Ti Malice).

 The days of Alouette and dancing sur le pont d'Avignon - wondering where the "pont" was located. Every now and then, it is necessary to take a trip down memory lane. Take a journey. Bon voyage!

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Chak moun fet nan yon peyi...

Mwen menm mwen fet an Haiti. Haiti pa'm li tou piti se ladann m'anvi mouri- Emeline Michel "Ayiti Cheri"

One of my favorite songs. I agree with the song except I just want to visit all corners of the beautiful Haiti and not just die there (lol). Most Haitians don't even know some of the gorgeous places in the island. (I can't blame them because of "situations"  Such a pity...
Well we are gonna show you some places that you might add to your travels someday. I hope you find somewhere that calls out to you like Kokoye Beach calls out my name right now. (soupire)

  Kokoye Beach, Petit Goave, Haiti. Apparently it's a 1.5 hours boat ride from mainland Petit Goave. It is calm and beautiful with plenty of things to do once you get there.

 

This green landscape makes me happy :)

These pictures are from Blog Karel La

I also found an interesting Paris Vogue pic while i was looking for pics

Haiti some 50 years ago. From "La Grande Vandrouille" blog


Now let me go daydream about Kokoye Beach. Ahhhh bon bagay!

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