Marius Billy (Billgobenson) creates world music in the truest sense of the phrase. The sounds of Africa are fused with jazz instrumentation and other world influences, and expressed in music from the heart. Native beliefs and customs are intertwined with memories and life experience and the result is a groovy musical tapestry, giving voice to many indigenous peoples. Growing up amongst the sounds of the Congo River Basin, Marius’ own musicianship was fostered in guitar lessons from the missionaries of the former Swedish mission station in Ingoumina (Zanaga) where he was raised, and soon developed into creating music of his own.
Working as an anthropologist, ethnomusicologist, and musician, Marius has dedicated his life and his music to bridging communities. Through his work as the director of Afrique Profonde, a non-proft organization striving to preserve the traditional culture and human rights of Pygmies in the Republic of Congo and the Congo Basin Rainforest, he has been able to achieve comprehensive archival research as well as programs in eco-tourism, artist residency, and advocacy, also establishing successful communications Marius Billgobenson between governments, NGOs, and international communities.
Marius’ eagerly awaited debut album, The Sum of My Pardon, is set for release later this year under the moniker Billgobenson, and he intends to promote both the music and awareness of indigenous rights as he tours it through Europe and the US. The album fosters connections between communities across social and cultural barriers by creating musical tours to Congo Brazzaville, facilitating exchanges between musicians based in the west and people of the Pygmy tribe.
From folk country blues through afro-beat, this album will tell a powerful story of contrast, purity, and harmony. The Sum of My Pardon exists as an expression of passion for indigenous culture, and draws inspiration and a beautiful metaphor from the social and musical harmony of the polyphonic singing of the Pygmies.
The music of Billgobenson makes us face what we stand to lose in the silence of indigenous peoples, the custodians of signifcant alternative knowledge about both music and life.
http://billgobenson.com
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Exposed Vocals: Tell us about Marius Billgobenson
Well, my name is originally Marius Billy from the Congo, Republic Of. I was born and early raised in a little Swedish Mission Station called Ingoumina, in the southern regions of the country. Because of my artistic carrier, I consequently turned to become Marius Billgobenson, thanks to my father’s nickname Goben.
Exposed Vocals: So, how did you get into music?
Getting into music is a long story for my case actually for two mean reasons:
- Have been growing up on outskirts parts of the most natural and inspiring Congolese culture;
- Being raised at the center of the mission station. My father was a gospel choir instructor at the mission church. So early, I was so passionate to play the music. At time, when my father went away, I started playing his accordion until the time I surprised him by playing some tunes. He was so delighted, until he invited me to join his choir. At the same time, I started learning some guitar lessons from missionaries, before I became one of the musical key figures, performing acoustic and bass guitars in a youth movement from my church, even though when I moved to town for my upper studies. However, getting in the music at international level is the consequent formulation of the cause I am dealing with, shining the silenced. You know, there are times, when you aspire to achieve something, and all the forces are against you, however, some amongst them touch you so hard that you become someone you never imagined.
Exposed Vocals: What are your main influences?
It’s no so easy to list all my mean influences, but there’s much to say with people like: John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Georges Benson, Kenny G., Brian McKnight, Luther Vandross, Edwin McCain, Smokey Robinson, Nora Jones, Paul Simon or pianist Danilo Perez to list a few of them
Exposed Vocals: What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment I am working on some new tunes to be released late this year, getting ready for some gigs from July
Exposed Vocals: How would you describe your music style?
I would like to describe my music style as when you imagine the sound of Africa coming to you more closely, thanks to jazz instrumentation. The music crosses over many genres, from Jazz to R&B to World music to Blues and beyond. The music is filled with so much emotion and passion that takes an eventual audience away on the wave of understanding and self-awareness, opening minds to new possibilities.
Exposed Vocals: What are your plans for the rest of 2018?
For the rest of 2018, I am actually focusing my energy preparing myself for the US tour, along with BSquared Management.
