Help release the album on vinyl and donate here!
Free the System is all about musical broadening, traveling, friendship and letting go. The new album was mostly recorded in The Gambia and Senegal, West Africa. During the travels, the jams, the conversations and encounters it became clear again and again how uncertain the future situations in Africa still are and with what minimal resources people have to ‘deal’ every day. A certain hopelessness that is normally so far from our bed, but due to the current Corona crisis, can also be felt by many people in Western countries for the first time. That is why the lesson that DANDANA’s music gives us is so relevant. It shows and hear how you can deal positively with such situations and how important music is to get through those difficult situations.
During ‘The Story behind Free the System’ the realization of the new album is central. Led by host Nike Ayinla, the recording process and West African influences are discussed, as well as current trends in Africa and global themes such as Black Lives Matter, globalization and the current pandemic. Nike will discuss this with:
Bas Ackermann, the founder of DANDANA. He plays bass, keyboards and synthesizers, and is responsible for compositions, creative ideas and video productions. In addition, Bas was one of the founders of State of Mic, a highly regarded multimedia and music studio in Gambia.
Ebou Gaye Mada, a passionate percussionist and singer-songwriter from The Gambia. He comes from the well-known Senegambian griot families Gaye and Mbye, and was part of the legendary Gambian band Ifang Bondi – the founders of Afro-Madinkabeat.
Jackson Loman, a regular force at DANDANA as a drummer and solid groover, tight & funky. Before that, he built up a respected reputation with acts such as D-Felic New Quartet, NuClear Family / Kern Koppen and New Groove Habits.
Joop de Graaf, the latest addition to bass. He studies jazz at the conservatory of Amsterdam and is known for his diversity in music styles: hard bop, straight jazz, fusion, latin, soul, funk, hip-hop, pop and neo-classical – an enrichment for DANDANA.
Tijmen van Wageningen, bass player and producer of Torii. He has also collaborated with DI-RECT, The Deaf and EUT, among others. Together with Bas Ackermann he has produced both albums (Free The System and the debut Third World Nightclub) by DANDANA.
Host Nike Ayinla, of Nigerian descent, studied international law and is the founder of Orisun Studio. With Orisun she facilitates meaningful projects in the creative industry. Such as the online platform Homegrown, which combines musical live performances with disciplines such as design, fashion and visual arts. In addition to Orisun, Nike develops programs at the National Theater.
Due to current travel restrictions, band members Modou Joof and Filly Dioma are unfortunately not able to attend.
Safe concert visit in PAARD
We want to continue as much as possible of the current program in an adapted manner. We do this in the safest way possible and within government regulations. We hope that everyone will continue to do their very best with us to comply with the measures within and outside PAARD. For more information click here.
