Naya Rockers stay on their grind delivering dub inspired roots reggae music
Daily Reggae spoke with Naya Rockers’ Nathan Sabanayagam to dive into the Boston-based reggae duo’s new music, inspiration, and songwriting process.
Photo courtesy of Naya Rockers. (From Left - Nathan Sabanayagam, Nate Edgar)
Who are some artists you’re listening to on the reggae scene these days that you’re really enjoying?
As a reggae artist, I find inspiration from a diverse range of talented musicians within the reggae scene. Some popular contemporary reggae artists that many people are enjoying include Chronixx, Hector Lewis and Koffee. These artists bring a fresh perspective to reggae music while staying true to its roots. But I will always have an ear ready to listen to the more established roots artists still out there doing it like Bushman, Clinton Fearon and Sister Nancy.
“Reggae Train - Mad Professor Dub” is a vibe! What was it like collaborating with Mad Professor?
Collaborating with Mad Professor, a renowned dub producer and artist, is an incredible experience for any reggae artist. His mastery of dub music and his unique production techniques bring a distinct flavor to the collaboration. Working with Mad Professor allows an artist to explore the depths of dub, experiment with sonic landscapes, and create a mesmerizing fusion of sound. It's a privilege to collaborate with such a legendary figure in the Dub scene.
You are based in Boston. What is the reggae scene like in Boston, and where are some of your favorite venues to play live
The reggae scene in Boston has always been more of an underground scene. But really one of the first cities in the USA that reggae landed. Bob Marley used to play small venues like Paul’s Mall when he first started touring. There was also the Western Front in Cambridge, which was a reggae club that hosted everyone from Burning Spear to Culture. Unfortunately the Western Front and other reggae based clubs have closed. Some newer venues pop up but nothing strictly roots and culture. There are promoters like The Reggae Takeova, that bring artists to town and Boston has had a pool of local reggae and ska bands for decades. As far as favorite venues in town, Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, MA is doing a great job putting on high quality shows.
Your 2022 album, "Naya Sound System," has such a fantastic collection of songs. Can you tell us about your songwriting process for the album? Did you come up with a North Star theme to start?
I started traveling frequently to Kingston, Jamaica in 2004 and eventually rented a room in Havendale and set up my production base. I came down to Jamaica with riddims I had recorded with musicians in Boston so my idea was to find artists in Kingston and voice them with original lyrics. This would take some time as I had to learn the scene and runnings in town. The first track I voiced was Babylon Stress at Tuff Gong during my second trip down. From that point I spent the next 2 years finding artists and voicing them to complete the project. I would voice in my apartment, hotel rooms and on the veranda of artists homes in Kingston. Coming back with the voiced riddims I had great hopes for the release. Unfortunately, the group I was working with in Boston was no longer interested in releasing the project and our original agreement dissolved. This left me in a tough situation, with many years invested I had to take matters in my own hands. I took the vocals I recorded and produced new riddims to match and out of this remix process was born Naya Sound System Vol. 1 released back in 2014. Almost a decade later, I have remastered the record for release. A dub remix by the Mad Professor of Reggae Train and other versions to follow.
How is your new music coming along? And can we expect more live shows in the future?
As an artist, I am constantly exploring new musical territories and working on new material. The process of creating new music is an ongoing and exciting endeavor. I am currently working on an album featuring foundation artists: Clinton Fearon, Sister Nancy and many more. I also just returned from the UK where I recorded riddims at Ariwa Studios with the Mad Professor, Dennis Bovell, Black Steel and Caroline Williams. While I don't have specific details about my current projects, I can assure you that I am dedicated to delivering fresh, authentic reggae music that resonates with listeners. As for live shows, I am enthusiastic about the prospect of sharing my music with audiences on stage. While I can't provide specific dates or locations, please stay connected with me through my social media channels and official announcements for updates on future live performances.
