To get the rarest calypso records in the world, you don’t only have to dig some forgotten crates in some backyard in Trinidad, you’ve even got to go diving in the sea! And this is not the only reason calypso vinyl is hard to find. It’s a hard job for Lord Mouse, a dedicated collector of rare calypso 78′s and head of the 17-piece Kalypso Katz band in Berlin. Still, the Lord keeps digging…
Tell us a little bit about yourself, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Keely, I was born in Chicago, lived in Houston as a child and went to college in Spokane, Washington. Then I got the hell out of the U.S. when I was nineteen and have lived in Europe almost 20 years now. I have been in Berlin for almost 15 years, Friedrichsahain as well, where I founded the Lord Mouse And The Kalypso Katz and just moved to Paris, because my girlfriend got a job over here. It’s kind a cool to have a break from Berlin now and share my time between two cities – like in spring I’ll be back to record a new record.
Wow, that’s special. I know you’re also a great fan of calypso records, and especially 78’s. How did you get into collecting them?
For one thing, as a record collector, calypso is one of the hardest styles of music to get your hands on, so just from that standpoint alone it’s really exciting because when you do find a Calypso record you know it’s a good day you know because it’s really rare. I don’t do Ebay you know for me buying records on Ebay it’s like screwing a prostitute! Iit doesn’t count, it’s too easy – there is no glory in it.
Also I really like calypso because it’s like gangster-rap from the 20’s and 30’s. The artists were all barred from the high-society and they were talking about sex and how cool they were and crime was often a theme, they were always talking about how good they are in bed and how much money they have. Even talk shit about other calypsonians you know it’s good stuff! Especially back then when everyone was so proper.
Sir Lancelot Postcard – If The Dresscode Was Not Adhered To, They Would Not Even Be Allowed To Play
I heard a lot of 78’s were actually dumped out at sea. Do you know why?
Yeah there were two competing record labels who were constantly trashing each other and saying they’re material was not fit for the airways, so a lot of these banned records were actually dumped at sea.
I got this amazing 10 CD box set with all the banned tracks from back then, it was on Bear Family Records actually, with a very detailed book as well. It’s really good! I don’t know how they got to that.
I guess it was just some freak like you who is a huge fan of calypso?
Yeah (laughs), speaking of freaks if you go to the Kalypso Katz Myspace site there is this link to a radioshow I did on last.fm out of Brixton’s Grosvenor House, if you’re interested in some steamy carib rhymin.
You once said to me: 78’s are something you’re dad should give you. Has your dad given you any records or is he an inspiration to your favourite music?
Actually yeah, I was back home Christmas a couple of years ago and he had a couple in his cellar, it was a surprise as he never really played much music round the house. So he gave me some first pressings and even test pressings of Townes van Zandt, Mississippi John Hurt, John Lee Hooker, Jerry Jeff Walker… so I was impressed and very pleased.
That’s super-rare stuff man. Where do you buy that sort of stuff?
Actually my favourite record shop in Berlin is Platten Pedro out on Tegeler Weg 100 and I was in there one time and this guy wanted to buy this record and he didn’t want to sell it because he thought the guy didn’t look like he would appreciate it. The best record shop in Berlin, by a wide margin in my opinion.
Tell me how you feel about the newer styles of music which has it’s roots in calypso? Soca and reggaeton for example?
I’m not a fan of electronic music, I am old-fashioned. Soca is a natural progression and I can understand that the kids want to have something they can call they’re own, so it’s cool in that way. Calypso is also nearly dead in Trinidad and so that’s another reason I like having a calypso band because I feel like I am doing something that is really important. Championing calypso often makes me feel like an ambassador.
Have you ever been over there?
No I have not. I’m afraid to go because I think it will be a disappointment.
Oh really, that is how I feel about going to America!
Well you will be, as soon as you’ll get off the plane you’ll have some slob grabbing your balls telling you it is for national security. That will be your first experience anyway.
What about rap-calypso or Rapso?
I prefer rap. I am not a huge fan. I like the old-school stuff but I feel like nothing new has happened for a while. And it’s all been rehashed at the moment. I think something new will come along.
Let’s go deeper into your love for calypso. Who are your favourite artists?
Roaring Lion is one. He put a lot of his own ideas into calypso. He was also one of the youngest by a long way and he was filthy. He would almost get banned the most, he was a real cheeky little bastard.
Lord Invader is an obvious choice, from about the same time. Attila the Hun, for the classic guys.
I like George Brown a lot, a.k.a. Young Tiger. He came later and he only died recently.
How did you discover calypso?
Actually a friend played me this record by Blind Blake. Not the blues singer but Blind Blake Higgs, the calypsonian.
This was Nico Bordes whose place I was staying at while passing through town one day. He has a little shop in Toulouse called Mediatech. It is a rent-a-record shop. He also does CD’s of all styles and you can rent them for a small fee.
Calypso Legend Blind Blake Higgs In The Garden Of The Royal Victoria Hotel Nassau, Bahamas
So do you use all recording formats in your radio shows or when you DJ?
Sure yeah, I mean the goal of any artist is to reach an audience as wide as possible, right? So today mp3 is probably the most important format there is in this modern day and age. You’re gonna reach your biggest audience using that.
OK, so now to your latest record with the Kalypso Katz, the vinyl issue. It is a stunning sound and great recording quality, how many people are in your band?
We got a 17 piece band, 5 of which are back-up singer girls, one of which we just lost. She now works for Lufthansa as a stewardess. Since we released that CD we got a second sax player and we’re hoping for another trumpet player as well, just to give it that punch you know. With two trumpet players it sonically really changes everything.
Lord Mouse And The Lost Kalypso Kat
Where did you record it?
At Freeborn Sound studios in Kreuzberg, Berlin, I was down there just a few weeks ago to say hello and Gentleman was in there with his band, recording. Phil Freeborn is the sound guy, an American and he’s a master at the soundboard.
You’re songs have great depth and culture to them they sound very authentic, I’ve only seen the vinyl issue of your new record: it is pretty plain with no credits did you write the songs yourself?
Oh, no most the material is adapted. There is one by George Brown a.k.a. Young Tiger called Calypso Be. This guy was like Louis Armstrong is to jazz, he only died recently. He featured in the Electric Proms some years ago where he played with Damon Albarn.
“Don’t Blame It On Elvis” is by the Fabulous McCleverty’s which originally featured “The Charmer” in backing vocal – who later became known as The Leader Of The Nation Of Islam, Louis Farrakan of course.
“Jack’s Broth” is an old Tin Pan Alley tune covered a billion times, “Fe Da Re” is a Lord Beginner track and “Wash Your Hands” is again from the Roaring Lion. The rest of the tracks on the release are originals.
It’s all pure calypso. What attracts you to it so much?
I really like the bad-boy outlaw style and the flavour of the islands and the cultural mirroring of the conditions at the time.
OK, cool, thank you. I would like to go deeper into details about your collection… What else do you collect?
All styles really. I like Western swing, rockabilly, soul, Eastern European stuff, library music, jazz, funk, everything! I think it’s really sad when a DJ reduces himself to a genre which he only plays.
OK, so how many records do you own?
Actually I only own about 50 or so calypso records. They’re all 78′s and they are really rare, and for the others: I stopped counting at 5000. My collection is split between Berlin and Paris.
Do you have any tips for cleaning them?
Aem, rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth usually works pretty well and if it’s really bad I wash it with water. I don’t mind a record with a pop and a snap so the audience knows you’re playing a real record.
So you work as a DJ? Do you play all those sorts of styles? Where?
Yeah, I always prepare my selection to what I think would fit the party.
I think I’ve played every dump in Berlin over the past 15 years. I used to do the White Trash once a month, the Lovelite, the Bassy, Kaffee Burger, CCCP, the list is endless.
What other work do you do?
The last 2 years have been dedicated to the Kalypso Katz, all the planning of logistics, hotels, food, a tour in France for 15 or so people. It’s really intense. I have another band also based in Berlin called the Comedian Pharmacists.
Wow, any favourite gigs you played with the Kalypso Katz?
Generally fresh audiences are really good, they’re just receptive. And, yeah there was one gig we played on the Mediterranean coast in some village I don’t even remember the name of. It was a georgeus day and a beautiful warm evening with a great sunset.
Photos courtesy of Lord Mouse.
