Antigua’s reigning soca monarch, Tian Winter, is back in Antigua, buoyed by his experience in Trinidad, but lamenting the lack of support from the authorities that would have gone a long way to ensure he made a greater impact.
Speaking to Caribarena.com on Monday, Winter said his International Soca Monarch presence would have been even more rewarding had he received the necessary input.
His manager, Kayode O’marde, said they went to Trinidad virtually on their own, without a cent from the government and up against a highly competitive music spread.
O’marde said things got difficult toward the end, especially during the last week leading up to the show, but it all added to the learning experience, as they are now looking forward to another year of producing music not only for the Antiguan market, but Trinidad as well.
He said support from Antigua is going to be necessary, and noted that the rewards from winning the local show are not nearly enough to take on Trinidad. He said Tian’s two-car haul from the local Groovy and Jumpy Soca does not help, as they are prohibited from selling the vehicles in any case.
Culture Minister Eleston Adams said on Observer Radio that the government was under no obligation to assist artists when they go overseas to perform.
That aside, O’marde and Winter were happy with the connections they were able to make, including linking up with a producer for popular Jamaican artist Jah Cure.
Winter said recordings have already been done for his new album, and fans can expect a production of the highest quality, with a difference, because he will be displaying his versatility.
His eyes, however, are fixed on returning to Trinidad next year, with a much better understanding of what is required to make it big in the mecca of calypso and soca
“It's about getting into the system, getting them to know you, even performing free at fetes, being on the radio early,” he said.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Hits: 690
Comments (15)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by joe joe, February 24, 2010
He was out of his league and so was claudette peters too. However should we just throw our hands in the sky and say Bunji or Fayann or Shurwayne will win anyway or isn't it more sensible to rally behind our artists so that they can get the exposure and thus improve? I maintain that the money that was used to send Namba to Trinidad would have been better spent on Tian.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Avid Reader, February 21, 2010
Artist do need support, but he was out of his league in the uptempo competition. He is not an uptempo singer, how he won the competitions is still a myth to me, I would have hoped that his non placement in Trinidad would have brought him some humility, but it seems it didn't. He should not blame the government or Antigua people for non support, he did win money and he knew he was headed to this event, prioritizing his money would have been better. Blame everyobody else because you were out of your league. C'mon!!!
-
- +1
-
-
written by joe joe, February 18, 2010
also music is universal so if he wants Bajan arrangers, trini writers on an Antiguan style then that is ok with me. I do not subscribe to the Onyan/Oungku Bena music only mentallity. The style that Bajans use is heavily influenced by Dominica, Martinique, Antigua and Trinidad. Even Oungku and Onyan borrrow horn licks from Ka*sav, Zouk Machine and Tanya St Val. Therefore there is no such thing as an original Antigua or anywhere else style.
-
- +0
-
-
written by joe joe, February 18, 2010
you are personalizing it now. It does not matter if it is Tian or Onyan or Lard Satelite- what I am talking about is support for our artists. The songs need to be played on the air in trinidad and in order to do that the artist has to have presence in trinidad. Take for instance Tizzy- Tizzy wine was played constantly on the radio for carnival because she and el a crew have been doing the for years(they get government support too).
-
- +0
-
-
written by Sven, February 18, 2010
Second thing, while I appreciate Tian has talent, I don't like his style. With his Bajan produced beats and auto tuned lyrics he is taking local soca in the over-produced and synthesized direction of many Trini artists such as Machel Montano. This is not good for Anitguan soca, because we need to maintain our unique, raw style of soca. The success of Lucian and Vincy soca in recent years demonstrates this. Raw metal and whistles over electronics any day. I wish him the best but I hope with his new album I won't confuse him with Zan or Blazer Dan.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Sven, February 18, 2010
The first is that the Trinidad "International" Soca Monarch competition is a sham for several reasons. Trinis with their superior attitudes will never give their crowd support points to a foreign act, and I suspect the judges would not allow a non Trini to actually when that competition. Furthermore, by the time the Vincentian, Grenadian, Bajan and Antiguan artists perform their tunes, they are any where from 5 - 6 months old. It can be difficult to recreate hype after that long. A truely "international" soca monarch should be rotated between the smaller island's summer carnivals.
-
- +0
-
-
written by joe joe, February 18, 2010
cool ruler it is a*sistance and promotion for the island at the same time. Allsion Hinds is a hosehold name in Trinidad and rich Trinidadians travel to Barbados and stay in their hotels during Crop Over time. In the same way when we big up Tian then we are bigging up Antigua Carnival. It would have made more sense to forfeit Namba's per diem etc in order to a*sist Tian.
-
- +0
-
-
written by hard, February 18, 2010
This guy needs to get real and do the hard work, what hand out? You do not even free perform free since you won, you even paying to record in studios in Barbados instead of continuing with your local studios where you do not pay as much if any and still want local dollars?
-
- -1
-
-
written by Cool Ruler, February 18, 2010
Nobody want to pay taxes but every body want government to a*sist them.
-
- +0
-
-
written by joe joe, February 18, 2010
the artistes such as rupee started from nowhere- even allison hinds used to sing at a hotel. It is the Bajan government who gave them the backing and caused them to progress to what they are now. The bajan government used it to market bajan tourism and it paid dividends. We can use that money to market our island and it will pay dividends when people come here to participate in our carnival too
-
- +1
-
-
written by hmmm, February 18, 2010
joe joe, you cannot expect to put tian in any bracket with the artiste you mentioned.. artiste with yearsssssss of struggle and a name on the international market that they earned (you need to have international appeal even regional appeal to help promote the country extra props wont help if your not appealing not saying hes not just making a comment)... tians talent is sub par to say the least compared to these artist...he has to develop himself more and as tian fan said work harder to develop his product winning the local competition gave him an opportunity to have this experience be grateful and stop b***hin....by the way where is the government to get this money they were asking for 
-
- +0
-
-
written by Voice Of Reason, February 18, 2010
As someone that appreciates good Soca music I would admit that Mr. Winter has a good voice and other attributes of someone that can grow into a popular worldwide Soca artist. But with that said, you are only an entertainer and the work you do could benefit others, but generally only benefit yourself. When you are a teacher, doctor, police, trash collector or even a bus driver where, I can see the benefit of my taxes resulting in more than paying to hear or see you; I as a tax payer will feel free to donate. My suggestion is for you reinvest the prize monies awarded to you (50K US I think) sell your car and hit the pavement and basically hustle. Don’t expect me as a tax payer to foot the bill for you. There are people who work hard for a living and their pay is less than rewarding but don’t seek handouts.
-
- +0
-
-
written by joe joe, February 18, 2010
tian fan you obviously do not know how difficult it is to get your props in Trinidad. The Bajan government has supported Edwin Yearwood, Alison Hinds and Rupee among other artists. This in turn has helped to promote Crop Over.........
-
- +0
-
-
written by Tian fan, February 18, 2010
C’mon Tian.. I don know if anyone had told you and your management that the music industry is not subsidize by any government. You and your management team have to get off you all b**ts and work harder and harder to promote your all product and stop sitting and waiting on government hand outs. Work hard and create a product that is good and attractive and you will get support from all sectors of other society, use the www to promote your product, and you also you have to make sacrifice, you may have to do some appearance that don’t offer an attractive pay out but look at the big picture it is about getting the name Tian to be a house hold name in the soca industry.
-
- -1
-
-
written by joe joe, February 18, 2010
I saw an ad on the Trinidad stations for the Soca Monarch show and they spoke about Prime Ministers and Presidents coming to watch the show from other islands-then I saw Namba's face flashing on the screen. I guess it is more important for him to sit in VIP than for the artist who is representing the country to get the support he needs to compete and big up Antigua!!
-
- +1
-
-
Write comment
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Newer news items:
- Sky is the Limit for Jr Roots
- St Lucia Jazz to Feature Grammy Award Winning Line-up
- J Holiday Rescheduled
- New Cavalier Launched
- Former Soca Star Basking in New Light
Older news items:
- Daville Rocks The Ladies
- Shermain Shines For Valentines
- Clapton Staging Fund Raiser
- Passoa Party Fridays
- Ministry of Sound at Abras
