ONE ON ONE: Le band sets its sights on the  international stage

Music quartet Le Band, comprising Fidel Eli Shammah, Ken Mwendwa, Joel Maina and Abe Kiptanui, has been around for three years now. If their new hit Number One, featuring Suzziah, is anything to go by, they are set for greatness.

How did it all start for you?

Ken: We met in 2011 but the group started about three years ago. Joel and I started singing in high school as part of an acapella group. We then met Fidel in church, at Nairobi Baptist, during a concert where he was the only one who volunteered to do vocals.

Fidel: We also met Abe in church. He is a talented guitarist.

How did the name Le Band come about?

Fidel: It came from a WhatsApp group. We had a WhatsApp group named Le Band for background vocalists and instrumentalists. We would share contacts and information on any jobs out there.

Ken: We really struggled looking for a good name. We came up with shady ones like Saltshakers (laughs) and finally decided to retain Le Band.

Who do you look up to as a band?

Ken: Sauti Sol have been our biggest inspiration. We have been doing covers of their songs since the beginning; before they were famous. Sauti Sol’s journey is one that we, as Le Band, want to emulate and perfect, musically and economically.

Do you have a group leader?

Fidel: No. Each of us has a say in the band. We all work toward a common goal.

Which is what, exactly?

Fidel: We’re taking Kenyan music international, and we’re going to bring the first Grammy to Kenya.

What are the group dynamics?

The funniest in the group is Joel, followed by Ken. Joel jokes throughout while Ken has his moments. Fidel is the clumsiest and most social. Ken is the most serious, although everyone gets serious when they are supposed to. Abe is the most laid-back.

Best memory as a group?

Ken: It has to be the Hakuna Matata Festival, Migaa Edition, in August 2014. We were the first band to perform at the festival. Le Band was about three or four months old. It was our first time on stage.

Would you say it was a breakthrough?

Ken: It was, definitely. It was crazy for us. We had a 30-song list, all covers (a performance or recording of a previously recorded and released song by other artistes). We even lost our voices, but we’re glad because the craziness began right after we left the stage.

Has it been smooth all the way?

Fidel: No, we used to do gigs for free at the beginning. This went on for two years. Artistes should learn that money is not that important in the music industry at first.

Ken: At one time we went to perform at a gig in Nakuru. We were never paid. It, however, helped grow our fan base.

Would you say you get paid well?

Ken: We’re now doing well, compared with where we came from. We can’t perform at a gig that doesn’t pay us what we want. We know our worth. Still, we don’t ask for too much money.

Your latest song, Number One, is a big hit. How did you meet Suzziah for the collaboration?

Fidel: We had not heard of her until she did an interview with Capital FM. She was asked who she’s always wanted to make music with, and she said Le Band. This shocked us because most people would say big performers like Sauti Soul.

Impressive.

Fidel: Yes. For the song, Suzziah is a big fan of Rihanna, and I’m a big fan of Drake. So we figured, why not make a slow dancehall song akin to Rihanna and Drake’s Work? That’s how Number One came about.

Have you never wanted a girl to join the group?

Ken: No, neither do we want another guy (laughs). We are really comfortable with how we are at the moment, and doubt we’ll add another person to the group.

Fidel: As for girls, we feel that the dynamics can’t really allow us. One reason is that a girl may be restricted from overnight gigs or rehearsals by their parents or guardians. Another reason is hormones (laughs). Romantic relationships in a group may easily break it, you know.

What’s your take on the Kenyan music industry?

Ken: The industry is at a bad place at the moment because of the revoking of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya’s licence, which we hope will be resolved soon.

Fidel: Generally, Kenyans should support local music. There is a lot of good music and artistes out there.

Where else can we find your music, apart from YouTube, of course?

Ken: You can get it from Tecno Boom Player, Soundcloud, and Wabe. It will soon be on iTunes and Spotify.

Last words?

Fidel: Number One is just the beginning. We have singles, videos and an album coming up this year. Be on the lookout.

Fidel Eli Shammah has just finished his Law degree at the University of Nairobi. He is the lead vocalist.

Ken Mwendwa is studying mechatronic engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He does arrangements and vocals.

Both Joel Maina and Abe Kiptanui (not in the picture) are doing music majors at Daystar University. Abe is a guitarist, while Joel arranges music and plays the piano.