Manou Gallo: "I am proud to be a world citizen"
The Ivorian bass player/singer Manou Gallo says music is everything for her and that it helps her forget about her pains and tough times.
1. What makes you tick?
Music! Music! Music!
2. If there is ONE place you would like to take people to, where would that be?
Divo, 200 km from the Ivorian capital, Abidjan. My village...The place where I began with my music. Because there the earth is red. Because there the material side of things doesn't exist. Because there, the people are just themselves and like to dance and sing. A place where it is always warm.
3. What CD or book would you bring along for the journey?
Can I bring my bass or a guitar? We can sit around a fire together with the women from the village, sing, dance. Forget about our pains, the tough times. Let us be carried by the music. I am a LIVE woman!
4. Do you have a favourite website?
I am no specialist on the internet. Except for bass music. I often surf the net to watch and listen what's going on. Almost every single musician is on YouTube.
5. Is there a person you call at least 2 or 3 times a day?
My manager. I call him 2, 3, 4, 5, even 6 times a day. We are always on Skype. It is someone I have a special bond with. He is not my boyfriend, but it is someone who believes hard in what I do. He is also my big brother.
6. Who or what makes you laugh the most?
I love French comedians. I like when people make me laugh because I cannot do the same for others. I am more of the introverted type.
7. A decisive moment in your life?
When I left Ivory Coast to come to Belgium. It was the first time I was leaving my continent to move to an unknown place. I was coming to Europe, a place I always saw on TV.
8. Being a rolemodel yourself, who is YOUR rolemodel?
I have two of them. My ex-producer in Ivory Coast, Marcellin Yacé. May peace be upon him. And the amazing bass player, Richard Bona. I vibrate when he plays.
9. Your first association with the Netherlands?
The first time was with Marie Daulne's band Zap Mama. This year, we are touring the country to present my latest album, Lowlin.
10. Are you proud to be an African?
I am proud to be a world citizen. I have had the chance to travel. So, if today I am considered to be Dutch or Chinese, fair enough. Nevermind the country, the most important for me is that I am a world citizen. If tomorrow, I am asked to represent the Netherlands for a good cause, I would do it.
Watch below Manou Gallo on the show Belle & Bum (Youtube):
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