Reasoning with Quique Neira of Gondwana
"Latin Styled Roots"

QN: It's a strong movement and it's growing. It's getting stronger. The people in South America after the military government's reign - we all needed a lot of truth. The whole environment was a big lie. Our generation is discovering all these Rasta conceptions. We understand that, at least for me, this truth is the highest truth that I've known all my life. I'm not here by coincidence--I belong to the whole creation and the whole creation belongs to someone. That one for me is the Almighty I, Jah Rastafari.

In Spanish, you can understand. We try to translate some things for our people in Chile so they can learn about Rasta. Now that we're here, we can share some moments with Rastas from Jamaica or even from Africa or the United States. We can see how it is, the international movement. It's so real. Our faith is strong enough to take our message in Spanish, not to Chile only, but to all Spanish people. What we need and what is ideal about reggae for South Americans and Hispanics is unity. We are one big part and important part in human history.

MM: In South America, besides Chile, is reggae very popular? How does Gondwana fit into this popularity today? Are you the frontrunners of reggae in Latin America?

QN: No, I wouldn't say so. Maybe we're the frontrunners in Chile, but there are a lot of very important and great bands in South America that have been playing this riddim for 15 years like Los Pericos from Argentina, Los Cruses and Lumumba from Argentina again. From Brasil, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile too, one called Iration. Step by step it's getting to the heart of the people. Now it's a true love. It's growing very strong and in Chile it's getting to all radio stations.
[Quique mentions also that during the early summer of 2001, the track "Antonia" taken from their "Second Coming" release and a tribute to drummer Alexcy Perrin Cardenas' baby, Antonia, remained at the #1 position in Chile for two months straight.]

MM: How long had Gondwana been together before you recorded your debut, "Together"?

QN: We were working as a band for nine years. I'm the last one to actually come into the band. I'm the newest! [laughs]

MM: Maybe it is because of the longevity of the band and the potential for the future that you got that recording contract through Ras Records.

QN: Someway it did. I used to sing in another band before and Gondwana used to have another singer. But one day my old band separated and Gondwana separated too. Then one day, in the name of reggae music, we linked--just for the vibes even if we didn't get anything. We had a very good underground following, and we were the last hope for reggae in Chile at that time. It was a very tough time. All the Chileans knew was Bob Marley. But faith is strong in those moments.

MM: Was 2001 your first time in the US on tour? How were you received at Reggae on the River?

QN: Yes. That was our first big stage out of our country that we've ever been. It was very beautiful. Those who go to Reggae on the River love reggae. They are so committed with this riddim that you can't lie to them. We felt pretty irie on the stage. They were all singing but I don't know how! [laughs]

MM: On "Together" as well as your later releases, "Second Coming" and "Made in Jamaica," you sing with a style and harmony that is beyond excellent. Who has shaped your singing style while growing up in Chile? Any non-reggae influences?

QN: I have to say, as a singer you have to listen to all good singers. There are a lot of good singers in South America that in someway they influenced me. People like Camillo Cesto, or Leodan, or El Puma or Langillan. Then there's BB King, Ray Charles, yeah true. You can hear his heartbeat. Well, Bob Marley, when I first heard him. He is great. Dennis Brown was very much a good singer. Barrington Levy, Gladiators, Culture… That's what I like about reggae--it has so many riddims, such a strong attitude and at the same time it's so 'harmonical' with a good sense and good taste. In those things, you could only find that of reggae.

MM: In Chile, there was a feeling of entrapment for so long, and only recently have things begun to free up. What songs signify this transition the most? And what's so significant about this newfound feeling of freedom?

QN: On "Second Coming," there's a song called "Martyrs." That song is very special and connected with the situation in South America, and Chile specifically. It's about the fact that we don't have to forget our past. We must look into our history to develop our personality and our charisma. If you don't accept your history and don't recognize your circumstances, you fall into hypocrisy. I cannot forget all the martyrs-Victor Jara is very meaningful. I mention Salvador Allende who was the president at the time when the military government took over. I mention Che Guevara and once again, Victor Jara. Those are famous martyrs and also those who are not famous too, I praise.

MM: Gondwana is a group that is undertaking a genre dealing with struggle. As you are not Jamaican yourself, you already have a struggle in convincing the world of your delivery. Surely you must have a dream or wish in carrying out the message of reggae from a Chilean perspective.

QN: Indeed. It is to be able to maintain our career recording albums in Chile, and get to the heart of the people everywhere in the same way we get to our fellow Chileans. To always be able to express the same vibe everywhere we go. That would be the biggest dream.