Before he supports Songhoy Blues at The Great Escape Festival, we are overly excited to have Blick Bassy performing at our Alternative Escape Showcase earlier in the day. Consisting of a cellist, a trombonist and Blick, who plays banjo as well as singing in his native tongue. The dreamy West African Blues-Folk sound is stunning and on his most recent album Akö he pays homage to the American Delta Blues musician Skip James. Ahead of his time in Brighton, we put some questions to Blick to find out more about him.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Cameroon, between Yaoundé and Mintaba.

Is there much of a music scene there?

Before, we used to perform in school orchestra, not any more nowadays. Most of the musicians from my generation came from the school orchestra battles in Yaoundé.

What kind of music were you brought up on?

Music from Cameroon first and some music from Brazil, but also old American soul music.

Can you remember the first album you bought?

Yes, it was a cassette by Eboa Lotin, a wonderful song-writer from Cameroon.

What was the first instrument you played?

Guitar was my first instrument. My uncle had an old guitar, I would watch him play and then, when he went out, I would try to play like him. I think I was 10 years old.

What drives you to write music?

I think music just came to me. It started with singing very early on with my mother and family when I was 6 years old. But later, after my secondary school, music hit my heart and my mind. It decided for me, to make me a musician.

Has your style of music stayed the same?

I’m just trying to grow in my art – trying to become better. Every new album is a project for me and is different from the last.

How would you briefly describe your music?

Afro contemporary music.

What are your bands main influences?

I’m listening to a lot of music: from the UK because of great song-writers, from Africa, from Spain, from the US, from France – I’m just trying to make something at the end with what all those types of music are giving to my soul.

What inspires your lyrics?

Every life scene could be a movie. I’m watching people in the street, seeing what and how their lives are treating them – from their struggles to happiness.

How do you approach the writing process?

First comes the melody – it could be anywhere, in the metro or while drinking – then I record the melody idea and start with lyrics. The “melody” doesn’t care about the place; they just come wherever I am.

Do you prefer writing music or performing live?

Life is the most beautiful gift, because you’re sharing energy/love with people you don’t even know. I love performing live.

Is there another release coming soon?

Not yet but next year yes – I can’t wait!

What has been a musical eye-opener and how has it affected you?

I think travelling is really important for every human being. That’s what really changed my thinking, going to South America, to China, Europe. Meeting lots of different people can really change your life – this is what happened to me. Outlooks are changing on our way of life – everything is changing around us, people are changing and this is what changes music as well.

If you could work with any artist, who would it be and what would they bring?

Eboa Lotin would bring melody, Marvin Gaye would bring emotions, Jeff Buckley would bring feeling, and Camarón de la Isla would bring strength.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Jeff Blake, Alani, Alabama Shakes, Francis Bebey.

Do you get to go to many gigs?

Yes: Prince was incredible.

What makes you happiest when you are not playing music?

Reading, sport (martial arts, MMS) and enjoying time with my family.

What are your future plans till the end of the year and after?

I just released a novel on immigration called Le Moabi Cinema. I’ll be touring and promoting my novel in the coming days. I’ll then start composing in October for the next album.

Website: http://www.blickbassy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blickbassy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blickbassy