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Despite all the hardships they go through, they manage to enjoy themselves and be generous and friendly people. Even with all those horror stories I told you, I still love visiting that place [Kenya].
-Ian Eagleson |
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Photo of Otieno Jagwasi in Kenya
Yes, Africa is different. They also have political prisoners and corruption on a level we can't even comprehend (even those of us who frequent the California/Mexico border). While the run-in with Kenyan police that Extra Golden experienced was rather tame and far more common than we'd like to think, it was still costly enough to almost break the album and succeeded in breaking Eagleson's bank account. "It was weird," says Eagleson. "Somebody I knew came by to visit us, and he had some weed with him and he just sort of left it on the table. And within thirty minutes these cops showed up, and they were like, 'What's this?' We got totally squeezed. These guys who came were not normal street cops; they were detectives. Corruption in Kenya is really a bad thing; I've never experienced corruption like that before. We lost a lot of money. I'd rather not mention how much, but let me just say, it wasn't cheap. But it didn't stop us; we managed to keep going. Luckily I had a grant to do this project, and it came in installments. You see on the record, it talks about hard times. Africa is all about hard times.
Extra Golden touring lineup
Bilongo, Minoff, Eagleson, Omari |
Beyond blackmail, poverty, and the daily fight, there's the struggle for life. In May of 2005 Otieno lost this battle, succumbing to liver disease, which was complicated by H.I.V. (another depressingly common norm in Africa). "I was hoping he would somehow miraculously get better, or at least stay healthy enough to see this album come out and play some shows," says Eagleson. "So that left everybody in a bad situation, but luckily we managed to finish the record. And I'm still in touch with his family. His brother started to become a musician when I was there, and he's still doing that. He's been helping us out because we're trying to get this tour going and he's helping to arrange all that, and if everything goes right, I'd like to get his brother to come out and tour with us. That would be cool, try to keep the connection going with him, but he's [Otieno] irreplaceable. He was such a good musician and a great guy; it was so easy for him to just join in and blend in with this music we did."
All of these emotions, circumstances, and struggles are on Ok-Oyot System, but so is coming out the other side. Extra Golden might as well be a mantra, a way to live your life. We'll never be able to control what cards we get dealt. All we can do is play them well, with some perspective, and maybe, just maybe, use our experiences to give someone else joy.
After yet another intense struggle, Extra Golden was able to secure American visas for Onyango Wuod Omari and Opiyo Bilongo (who will be filling in for Otieno) to tour the States. This long and strenuous process required the help of Illinois Senator Barack Obama (whose roots are in Kenya). Also joining the band will be bassist Noel Kupersmith (of the Chicago Underground). Extra Golden will begin a two-week tour on September 16th and 17th with FREE shows in Chicago. This may be your only chance to see Extra Golden live.
EXTRA GOLDEN TOUR DATES
09.16 | Chicago, IL | Garfield Park Conservatory - FREE @ 12:00PM
09.16 | Chicago, IL | South Shore Cultural Center - FREE @ 7PM
09.17 | Chicago, IL | Borders (2817 N Clark St) - FREE @ 1:00 PM
09.17 | Chicago, IL | Martyrs - w/ Dengue Fever
09.18 | New York, NY | Joe's Pub
09.19 | Brooklyn, NY | North Six
09.21 | Philadelphia, PA | I House - w/ Dengue Fever
09.22 | Arlington, VA | Iota - w/ Mosquitoes
09.24 | Buffalo, NY | Kitchen Distro
09.25 | Pittsburgh, PA | Warhol Museum - w/ Flin Flon
09.26 | Cincinnati, OH | Publico Art
09.27 | Detroit, MI | Bohemian House
09.28 | Oberlin, OH | Oberlin College
09.30 | Baltimore, MD | Talking Head Club
JamBase | Kenya
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