13-08 interview: Reggae agenda meets the dubbeez

"To really understand this genre I committed myself to study it. And from there I was deeply inspired by The Scientist ,Black Uhuru, Lee Perry and The Revolutionaries." - Milan
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Please tell us who are The Dubbeez ?
I am Olivia and I’m the bassist and bandleader of this band. I have a super cool sister on the mic, her name is Joanne. My brothers are Bobby on the keyboard, Milan on Guitar, Earl on the drums and Quincy joins Joanne on the mic. We share the love for Reggae music and somehow we create some dope songs when we’re together. - Olivia
 
You won the World Reggae Contest in Poland last year. What is the best experience you had after winning this BIG contest ?
You saw us on Dutch national television this year? ‘De wereld draait door’? Check it out, it’s on YouTube and it was a great experience to be invited there. After winning the contest, we’ve been blessed with more opportunities to share our music with more people - Olivi
Photo: Chris Page Photography
Where does your inspiration to play reggae/dub music comes from ?
From a young age I was attracted to Reggae/Dub music.  There was a force in me that wanted to explore and create Reggae/dub music. To really understand this genre I committed myself to study it. And from there I was deeply inspired by The Scientist ,Black Uhuru, Lee Perry and The Revolutionaries. – Milan
 
My inspiration does not come from a specific thing or person. I grew up with a lot of Reggae and Dub music and when I play it, it comes out of myself. So actually you can say I’m affected by Reggae and Dub music from different musicians in this genre. - Earl
 
You are six beautiful young people from all sorts and colors. How and when did you guys meet ?
Olivia and earl live in the studio so they basically started this mess. We found Bobby in the bushes, Joanne just twerked her way in to the band, Quincy just wanted to spread the message around and yeh we adopted Milan for some reason.....haha - Milan
 
Hailing from Amsterdam you must have known reggae music for a long time we assume. Is coming from Amsterdam something that works in your advantage on ‘the (international) music market’ ?
Well, not everyone comes from Amsterdam. Most of us come from Almere (Ally) but I think the name Amsterdam established it self as an international brand in many ways. I would guess we will have some more advantage out of it than if you say your from ‘Lelystad’ or something. - Milan
Photo: Chris Page Photography
What does Rastafari mean to you guys ?
No one in this circle is a Rastafarian, but we are a diverse group with each our own believes, which we respect of course. Same goes for the Rastafari religion. I wonder if reggae music would exist if there was no Rastafari. – Quincy
 
I see Rastafari not as a religion, but a philosophy. Which invites us to fight for freedom, justice and equality and we can’t win this battle without love. – Olivia
 
What is your biggest motivation to play sweet reggae music and not any other genre ? To do what I love, but especially to keep my father's spirit alive through our music. My father was a Reggae bassist and used to do our sound. He was our mentor, leader, teacher etc. February 4th he passed away. If it wasn't because of him, maybe I wouldn't be the hardcore Reggae music lover & musician I am today. –Earl

Any other projects the public might know some of the members of the Dubbeez ?
I'm not very much known in the reggae scene, But i used sing in the ZO-gospel choir, and did some projects with dutch Artists like Bergit Lewis I also had a lil career going on in the dutch gospel scene and i used to sing in a surinamese band.. Our drummer is also know as " The Dancehall DJ" Dj madbwoy! - Joanne
 
You guys have a unique male/female ratio in the band. We love that but we haven’t seen this on many occasions. Is this coincidence or did you guys form the band like that on purpose ?
To specifically pick a band, because of it’s ratio diversity would only be for a political gain, ,which is not our focus or aim. As a band we really value the authentic and positive vibration in the studio. That’s how we are able to create music that we feel and love, and would like to share that experience with our audience or who ever witnesses. – Olivia 
Photo: Chris Page Photography
Where can people see the Dubbeez play this upcoming summer/festival season ?
This year we’ve already play a lot on some Dutch Festivals. Not so much Reggae festivals though. You can still catch a vibe a Woodstock (Reggae on the beach), Picknick festival, Tone’s Summerjam and you can find the list with gigs on our facebookpage #thedubbeez – Joanne
 
What are the main goals for the Dubbeez in the next five years ?
We want the world to get to know us. That means a lot more followers on social media and views or streams on our songs on Youtube, Spotify etc. The best way to achieve that is to perform at big festivals and to release good music with good promo. 

There are a lot of big festivals where we want to perform. Rototom and Summerjam for example. Performing on television and radio is also a effective way to get noticed. BBC1xtra is a radio channel we really want to preform on. We are releasing our first album next year. 

We are always working to grow as a band. In a musical way but also on a personal level. This is for us the way to make a show even more explosive than the one before.
We did also begin thinking of a second album. So there is a lot of work to do.
Within the next five years The Dubbeez is known all over the world, within the reggae scene and even beyond! - Bobby
Photo: Chris Page Photography
Are there any releases coming up the massive should be looking out for ? 
Yes! We are releasing a single with videoclip called "Feeling" real soon. I think the audience haven’t heard a song like this of us before. This single is also going to be on the first album. We are also working on a cover song of Nina Simone, what also will be released soon with visuals.

​And of course our first album! There is no exact date for the release of it yet, but will be announced soon. I know that of people are waiting for it, and I can already tell you, it is worth the waiting! - Bobby

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