Dub Inc’s drummer Zigo shares thoughts on “FUTUR” album, touring worldwide and the band’s growth
Photo courtesy of Dub Inc.
Daily Reggae caught up with Dub Inc’s amazing drummer, Grégory "Zigo" Mavridorakis, to discuss the band’s “FUTUR” album, touring worldwide and Dub Inc’s growth over the years.
Zigo, huge congratulations on Dub Inc's new album, "FUTUR"! How was the inspiration and recording process for this album different than previous albums?
Hey thanks for your words! The creating process has been a bit special for us, because usually we make an album after touring at least 2 years around the globe, which gives us a lot of inspiration…That time, Covid 19 locked us down only three months after the release of « Millions », and only two months of touring. So as we had to search for inspiration without traveling, I think we've looked a bit deeper inside of ourselves, and maybe looked at the world from a higher perspective…There are more abstract writings for example, a lot of double senses in words… Musically we still tried to make different types of reggae. We have a lot of different influences and we love the new Jamaican artists generation that perfectly mixes roots and modern sounds, and I think that's the way we tried to go.
I recently saw you and the band play in Berkeley, California with Mike Love at Cornerstone. Dub Inc's energy was incredible! What were some of your favorite stops on the tour, and what was it like performing the amazing, Mike Love?
Thanks very much, we always try to show great energy and to make a burning performance…
In a small club like in a huge festival, we need to give 200%!
I think we’ ve enjoyed the whole tour in the West Coast… the first show was in Cali Roots and that was a blast! The mood in the fest was so great!
It was the occasion to see our brothers of Stick Figure who were opening for us in Europe in 2019.
We were so happy to see them headlining in their home!
Personally I loved the show in a very small town called Felton, also The Crocodile in Seattle, or the last show in Belly Up at Solana Beach, that was so crazy!
But honestly, this tour has been more than just performances, it has also been two families becoming one after a few days. Mike Love and his team are incredibly humble people and they made us enjoy each minute of that trip. We can’t wait to make another one together again!
Does the band have to prepare differently when performing in front of hundreds vs. thousands of fans like you do at music festivals?
No, we prepare the show before starting a tour. But we always present the same show in every venue, to give it the best as possible… of course we make some adjustments, but to make a strong set we need to make it almost the same every day…Before that US tour we thought we could put more songs in English language, but finally we said to ourselves that we’re here to play real Dub Inc, not to show how bad we are with English!!! The audience needs to see us as we are, and I think that is one of the reasons why a French band like us can export… just staying authentic. Music is a language by itself!
Tell us about the band's documentary, "Jamais seul"! What is it about and how can fans watch?
This documentary is easily available on YouTube, Alexis Rieger, the director, was following us during some highlights shows of the beginning of millions Tour. So when the first lockdown started, he told us: « let me know when you guys start to work again. »That's what he did… so he had shoot the full process between our last Millions Tour show in end of 2019, and our very first show of the « after covid 19 », in Bogota - Colombia, in crazy circumstances on May 2022…In this movie you will see live videos, the creation of our new album « Futur » in our own studio, interviews of each musician of the band, and kind of embedded scenes…
What are some of your favorite songs on "FUTUR"?
Oh I really love all of the songs… impossible for me to put on more than the other! Dub Inc’s album are versatile, different styles, different topics, and many incredible featurings…
Honestly, in my opinion (but it's very personal) this album could fit in a Grammy selection… at least I would love the academy to listen to it and say!
More seriously, we are so blessed to have such a nice audience around the world, we have been totally dedicated to our music for more than 20 years, and we meet so many nice people on the road!
One love to all, in this period of doubts in the world, staying united, and spreading the love will be the key!!!!
Peace!
