Eduino, the dreadlock-topped subtle frontman of the band Ferro Gaita, is currently in the United States working on his first solo album. In this interview with CVMusicWorld.com, Eduino speaks about his band, which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, and what lies ahead--for him and Ferro Gaita.
Question: Eduino, Ferro Gaita just released Finkadu Na Raiz, a CD/DVD Box Set, which coincides with the 10th Anniversary of Ferro Gaita (founded in 1996). What does it represent to you and the group?
Eduino: I feel like we won a fight. Making music is extremely difficult but things are working out well, considering that we have recorded four albums.
Q: Did you ever imagine, when you started, that Ferro Gaita would reach this far?
Eduino: I always believed that we would go far. Personally, I believe that I can go further than this. I want to be even greater than Ferro Gaita.
Q: How has this album been received so far?
Eduino: It has been great. We have always had good success.
Q: What direction will Ferro Gaita take?
Eduino: We are scheduled to tour Europe. With this tour, we hope to get a bigger producer in order to be able to accomplish greater things. We are also working on a new album but we (Ferro Gaita) are always up to something.
Q: You are now working on your first solo project. What made you record your own album?
Eduino: Ferro Gaita has mostly recorded Funana. I want to explore Batuku and Finaçon further. I want to record a full length Batuku and Finaçon album but I want to do it my way.
Q: Who are some of the artists working with you?
Eduino: I am working with all members of Ferro Gaita. I also have Feliciano, Dicky Tavares, Annie, and many others.
Q: Do you have a title yet?
Eduino: The title is “Batuku Grandi.” The album will talk about different topics, messages that I want to put across. I tried to fit everything that is going on in our society--drugs, culture, money etc… It’s also a CD/DVD.
Q: Who is producing this album and when will it be released?
Eduino: I am producing the entire album myself, although there are many collaborators. The album will hopefully be released this summer. I am in the process of finding more sponsors to complete it. I will be in Dakar, Senegal, to mix it and I will then return to Cape Verde to start filming the videos.
Q: Ferro Gaita has been without any doubt the most famous Capeverdean band this past decade. However, you guys haven’t completely found a spot in the world music stage. Why is that?
Eduino: Well, we have been playing in big stages around the world but things haven’t worked out. We signed with several people and played in big stages but financially it hasn’t happened yet. Ferro Gaita survives in Cape Verde by just performing there. Now, we want to be able to do the same outside the country. That’s why we need to find a person who will take us there. We are able to release albums on our own but we need someone to make it happen.
Q: As a musician, who is/was your biggest influence?
Eduino: My stepfather was a music teacher. My father was a musician. I found music at home. I started playing with the band Djassi. Then, I decided to take music more seriously. I learned to play the accordion with Bitori but I also found a way to learn the accordion the way I wanted. I learned Batuku and Finaçon with Nácia Gomi and Ntony Denti D’Oro. I learned their techniques. That was my school.
Q: Speaking about Nácia Gomi and Ntony Denti D’Oro, you had the opportunity to work with both. How was that experience?
Eduino: Yes, I worked with them on their album “Finkadu na Raiz,” which I produced. Augusto “Gugas” Veiga, the Executive Producer of this album, talked to me about the project and we decided to do it. They are both spontaneous people but I learned to follow them and they trusted me.
Q: What’s next for you after this album?
Eduino: Like I said earlier, inside Ferro Gaita there are a lot of projects going on. Bino is also planning on recording his own solo album. I am also planning on recording a Tabanka album and a Funana Compilation. There is always something to do.
