Apr 18, 2019
Drew Gonsalves talks calypso with Lark Clark on this week's
Hidden Track podcast. The Trinidadian Canadian is the founding
member of the JUNO-winning outfit Kobo Town. The Toronto group
blends calypso with myriad influences, including ska, reggae, dub
and hip-hop.
A genre that originated in Trinidad and Tobago, calypso is what
Drew describes as "the folk music of urban Trinidad." Whether
you've only ever heard calypso from the Harry Belafonte tunes in
the movie Beetlejuice, or you're deep down into Mighty
Sparrow, Roaring Lion, Lord Invader, or Calypso Rose, you're going
to find a lot to sink your teeth into with this wide ranging
conversation.
The pair talks about the roots of calypso, the trailblazers of
the genre, and Drew’s work in reviving the career of one of the
genre’s most iconic artists.