When discussing the attraction of calypso, Glen says, “It’s the lyrics and the cheekiness of it. It’s very loose and some of the topics that they were singing about in the late ‘50s would even be considered risqué today…the lyrics very much have a wink at the listener! It’s the sort of music that’s very ingrained in storytelling and comedy which is a big drawcard for me. I have always been into stories and I’m a big fan of Weird Al Yankovic. If you put Weird Al Yankovic with an awesome and fun dance-band you have got calypso!”
Glen discussed the fact that calypso has perhaps not scaled the heights of fashion in the same way that others genres such as ska and rockabilly have. “Calypso never had a cool resurgence…Basically Harry Belafonte is responsible for that,” Glen says. “He made calypso popular in the ’50s but he also made it really daggy! It was stuff that even your parents wouldn’t like! But dig a bit deeper and you find the amazing, unadulterated music. Belafonte is the Diet Coke version of calypso [while the real calypso] is like straight rum!”
Despite the band’s contagious passion for the genre (and for coconuts), they are playful and innovative in the way in which they interpret the tropical sounds of Trinidad. “We have an approach of making it our own. We don’t want to copy calypso music note-for-note so we have a country and ska influence…we have a big crossover of genres. There’s a bit of surf guitar stuff and there is rockabilly that ends up in the mix.”
This commitment to adopting a fresh and original approach to the genre is reflected in the mix of songs that comprise the band’s set. “We do 25 per cent covers and 75 per cent originals and we are writing more and more,” Glen explained. “There are some songs that are too hilarious not to put in the set so we keep those…but we also write about various topics such as my love for Beyoncé…she is a power to be reckoned with. She is almost not human. She is almost like a goddess but not like in a religious way but in that she is otherworldly…it would be great if she can have a listen to the song and tell us what she thinks and maybe get Jay Z involved although I do diss Jay Z in it so I’m not sure that he would like it very much.”
Perhaps Beyoncé could reciprocate this devotion by supporting Mighty Duke & The Lords although as Glen soberly indicated, “she would be a great second support but we would have a band after her before us as you don’t want a band that’s too showy just before you go on and I’m sure that she would be a bit too showy!”
The band has been busy recently in the recording studio and Glen pointed out that, “Hopefully we will have a 45 inch single and a record by the middle of the year at least.”
For those of you contemplating checking out Mighty Duke & The Lords when they raise the roof off the Speigeltent, Glen provided some appetite-whetting incentives.
“Calypso music is like going out to a party in the city and then waking up in the morning in a grass skirt on a beach with absolutely no idea how you got there. You have got no other clothes, your wallet is gone and you’re disorientated but you have a massive smile on your face so it’s all been worth it. You are going to have a cheeky grin on the tram ride home. It’s a steamroller of energy. That’s what a late night gig is all about. It’s about going in there and getting immersed.”
In addition to such tempting treats, some lucky punters may discover that their aesthetic appeal ends up being enhanced from the moment that they arrive. “The first 50 people through the door get a free lei-a flower around the neck-so there will be a forced dress-code of colour.” Who knows, you may even bump into a gyrating goddess called Beyoncé. Stranger things have happened in the vibrant, coconut-loving world of calypso!
BY GRAHAM BLACKLEY
