It’s been said that there’s a magical element to music – so much so that the music you listen to has the power to change the way you think, act and look at the world.
The veracity of that belief can be debated, of course, but if there was ever a time and place where it may happen, it’ll be at Victoria’s 26th annual Ska and Reggae Festival.
The festival takes place from June 18 to 22, welcoming some of the greatest artists of the ska and reggae musical genres at Ship Point on the Inner Harbour, the Victoria Curling Club and at the Wicket Hall at the Strathcona Hotel.
The acts will include the Winnipeg-based band Propaghandi, Jacobs Castle, headed up by Jakob Nowell, Long Beach Dub Allstars and Sister Nancy, and many more, but one of our favourites is Marlon Asher.
Asher, you see, is the embodiment of reggae whose genius was first released to the world some 20 years ago when he released his breakthrough smash hit, Ganja Farmer, to the world. The music swept through Trinadad and Tobago, spread across the Caribbean and then into pretty much the rest of the world as fans in the USA, Africa and Europe began to take notice of this incredible talent.
That talent was honed in the town of Enterprise in central Trinidad, where Asher grew up to the music of Bob Marley, Denis Brown and Israel Vibration, as well as calypso legends Lord Kitchener, the Mighty Sparrow and Black Stalin.
Given the subject matter of that hit, it was certain to evoke some controversy, but Asher stays true to his roots and his beliefs.
“I was never a ganja farmer, but I had some friends who were, and they had mouths to feed and it’s how they made their living. Seeing what they went through when the police burned their fields gave me the inspiration to write the song,” Asher said.
The song was in keeping with Asher’s continuing philosophy of using his music to inspire people to consider life through a different lens.
“I’m totally committed to changing the way people think about themselves and others,” he said.
His approach has won him a strong fan base and in 2007, won him the Copyright Organization of Trinidad and Tobago COTT Award for Best Reggae Artist.
“I’ve been making a lot of songs and they’ve been doing really great,” Asher said. “But there’s no pressure on me to (duplicate) the success of Ganja Farmer because making music just comes naturally to me and I write what I think will inspire people as they go through life’s journey.”
Asher has managed to inspire other reggae performers, including Prophet Benjamin, Khari Kill, Jah Bami, Xebulon, King David, and Mr. Royal Dainties and has collaborated with other reggae artists, including Sizzla, Anthony B, Slightly Stoopid, Pressure Busspipe, Orlando Octave, Fortunate Youth, Don Corleon and Teflon Zincfence.
“I believe that I’m here to deliver a serious message (through my music),” said Asher.
Tickets for the Ska and Reggae Festival are available at victoriaskafest.ca. Note that some performances include night club shows so you'll have to be 19+ to attend. Consult the website for details.
