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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | week ending JuLY 18, 2013
Canada-based Guyanese singer Maiko Watson is inspired by life
A
ward winning singer/songwriter Maiko Watson brings a fresh take on soul music. The Guyanese artiste’s sweet vibes have earned her numerous awards and this has motivated her to continue to up her game in the
since she and her sister did not have much extended family in Canada. “We clicked with our cousins immediately and were playing as if we had known each other our whole lives. It felt that way meeting all of our family in Guyana.
spotlight while still in her teens, beating out over four thousand young women to become a member of “Sugar Jones”, a girl group spawned from reality TV show “Popstars”. “Sugar Jones” debut album went platinum and had two top ten singles
Watson (left) performing on stage
music industry. Watson left Guyana when she was just a few months old. Growing up, as she continually learnt about her heritage she appreciated it even more. At age 13, she first returned to her homeland. She had many fond memories of meeting her cousins,
T
he sixth edition of the Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW) is set to take centre stage when it is launched on August 4 at the Herdmanston Lodge in an evening of jazz, fashion and art. The GFW 2013 designers and models will be introduced to the public in a special choreographed display put together by a very professional team. Food art at its best will be introduced by Kester Robinson, who attended Carnegie and was the first runner-up in ‘Cutting Style’ a few years ago at Duke Lodge. The culinary and visual arts will be a big part of GFW this year. The work of well-known Guyanese artist Merlene Ellis and the ceramic vase collection of young Andy Cummings will be exhibited. The launch promises to be an elegant affair in a creative atmosphere that will set the pace for the other GFW events to
It was a very warm and welcoming feeling,” she reminisced in an interview with Guyanese media. Watson has been singing for as long as she can remember. She began writing songs over instrumental music at age twelve. She earned her first moment in the
follow. The upc o m i n g GFW, slated for October 22-27, serves as part of the organisers’ ongoing commitment to effectively advance creativity and technology in the industry, while fortifying regional alliances in the pursuit of integrated systems by implementing international best practices. The GFW executive, which comprises dynamic and hard-working members, believes the fashion industry is an area of immense creative and financial potential, a vision endorsed by the
on the Canadian Charts. Subsequently, Watson won a radio contest and had the chance to write and produce her first solo album, which she released independently. The artiste said it was something she dreamt about for a long time.
“It came to the point where I realised that there was nothing else I wanted to do. I was in university but I couldn’t focus because music was always in the back of my mind. I was always writing, meeting with different producers, and trying to get my foot in the door. I decided to take a year off school to pursue music fulltime, and that’s when things really started happening for me,” she recalled. Her debut album, “Sweet Vibration” took home Best Urban Album at the breakout West Awards. Whether performing with a band or minimal instrumentation, her radiant sultry voice shines through-delivering a powerful, earthy, organic sound that sets her apart from the rest. Influenced by artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sade, David Bowie and Bjork, Watson fuses elements of disco, duwop, jazz and rock, creating a sense of nostalgia while remaining well ahead of her time. A dynamic performer who has been on the stage since elementary school, she puts her
Award-winning Guyana-born singer and songwriter Maiko Watson
heart and soul into every show and knows how to rock a crowd. Her music has continued to spread steadily across the globe, being featured on a number of blogs throughout North America, the UK, France, and has been widely downloaded via torrent. Highlights included being featured on BETs Soul Session, The Paul Miller Soul Show on BBC and CBC, as well as placing songs on Much Musics Degrassi and the UK-based Soul Unsigned: The 2010 Summer Session compilation. Watson has visited Guyana about three times, and has had the chance “to jam” with some of the musicians at the Sidewalk Cafe. She mentioned that she sings a lot of jazz music in Canada and “it was
nice to have the chance to play those standards in Guyana.” “Life inspires methe hardships and the triumphs. Everything. I take the everyday circumstances and try to make something beautiful out of them. What motivates me is making music that makes people feel good. That gives people comfort when dealing with life. My advice to the youths out there is if music is your dream, be prepared to work hard, because this industry is very competitive and challenging. If you have access to the internet, then try to get your music online,” she encouraged. Watson continues to write and perform and is currently working on her second solo album. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
government’s m a n date to promote economic diversification and encourage sustainable development initiatives. On this note, GFW begins the s e c o n d phase of its action plan, having charged itself back in 2007 with the mission of activating the fashion fraternity in Guyana, all in an effort, to identify the economic potential and viability of the local fashion industry. The new
objective is to continue developing the GFW by firstly transforming the event to a weeklong activity, to facilitate economic development, entrepreneurial opportunities, and fashion sector industrial growth. These goals would be pursued through activities aimed at increasing the visibility of fashion commerce, nurturing local talent, and creating new outlets for accessing intra-regional and international markets. The executive of this non-profit organisation is well-equipped to deliver efficient and professional leadership in the execution of its mission. The GFW will continue to provide the strategic and essential platform, pivotal in the branding of the unique Caribbean style, while creating opportunities for cross sector cooperation through corporate investment and partnerships.