Two duelling music styles are slated to come together in Collingwood on July 17, and the musicians are hoping the result will astound and amaze.
Reverend Osagyefo Sekou, a Blues and gospel musician will be backed by Swedish folk band the Dimpker Brothers (as well as a full rhythm section) for the one-night-only event at Crow Bar and Variety as part of the fifth instalment of The Crow Sessions.
Sekou sees himself as an activist, theologian, author, documentary filmmaker, and musician. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri and was raised in the Arkansas Delta. Sekou's music is a combination of North Mississippi Hill Country Music, Arkansas Delta Blues, Memphis Soul and Pentecostal steel guitar.
He is inspired by the best of the black musical tradition: John Coltrane, Aretha Franklin, Howlin' Wolf, Donnie Hathaway, Fred McDowell, Muddy Waters. Robert Johnson, The Staple Singers, Etta James and Billie Holiday.
“There are entire countries that have not produced this kind of musical genius,” says Sekou.
“Equally, my music is informed by the sonic landscape of my childhood in the rural Arkansas Delta. The moan of deacons, the creaky wood floors of the shotgun church, and wails of the church mothers. These are all the sources of hope in my music, doing and suffering.”
While Sekou has had the pleasure of travelling all over the world with his show, he was deeply honoured to receive an invitation to perform at Crow Bar.
“I really enjoy performing in smaller towns in the presence of everyday folk. I have suspicions that Collingwood will remind me of home,” he says.
Sekou and the Dimpker Brothers first crossed paths at the Rootsy Festival in Sweden. The duo performed as a backing band for Sekou, who was immediately impressed by them.
“I was moved by the quality of their musicianship and professionalism at such a young age. They have deep abiding respect for not only the music but the people and the struggle that produced it,” says Sekou.
The Dimpker Brothers, comprised of Martin and Adam Dimpker, started in music as a summer job, and it progressed from there into something more serious.
“We played a local event in our early teens and from there on we've only ever worked with playing music, even after graduation,” says Martin.
Choosing to focus on folk music was a decision the brothers came to after experimenting with different styles.
“In the beginning we had the tactic of saying yes to every proposal, so we tried all kinds of genres and styles,” says Martin. “But what probably had the biggest influence on our own music making was discovering The Band through the film The Last Waltz.”
Sekou hopes to inspire people at the show at Crow Bar to enjoy their time together and to expand the minds of those in attendance.
“All over the world folks dance, shout, sing, cry, and rejoice. We are just trying to get free and pray folks get free with us,” he says.
Tickets are available at Crow or by clicking here.
