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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 ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ 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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