He's been at the forefront of the Belizean music scene for the better part of the last decade: Lloyd Augustine first appeared with the Punta Rebels, and then as part of the punta rock duo Lloyd and Reckeless. But now the man called Lloyd has embarked on his own for an Interesting solo project where he moves away from punta music to record paranda songs. It's slower and more soulful, so we asked Lloyd what inspired him to make the switch.
Lloyd Augustine, Performer
"This album is requested by my mom. She said, a lot of people know me as a punta rock artist so my mom said to me every year I record punta and so why don't I try a paranda CD. So I said ok that doesn't sound like a bad idea and I will try it. So that is why I came this year, I came paranda style.
Basically before I did music, that is what I was doing before. But instead of guitar, we were doing like Garifuna drums, turtle shells, and chaka, and vocals - that is at the beach in Hopkins and that is how I grew up doing music before.
I am ready, it is just a mellow side of me. A lot of me don't know the mellow side of me but I've had a passion for paranda from when I was a little boy. So right now I came up with this CD, that is why it is entitled 'this is it,' because I have a passion for paranda and now I am able to do it and that is why I called it, 'this is it.'"
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
But you haven't retired from punta.
Lloyd Augustine,
"No I still do punta, we still do Lloyd and Reckless."
Jules Vasquez,
I have seen a little of the music video, explain the story behind that song.
Lloyd Augustine,
"This song is entitled, 'fede.' This song is written by my grandfather but this song is talking about when he arrived in Hopkins his boat capsized and the only that he could save from that shipwreck was a box of match. So this crab came along and took the box of match and went into the hole and then he said to the crowd, 'eh you haad back crab, give me back my box of matches because this is the only thing that I can save.' So that is basically what the song is basically saying. It is a funny song but if you really get it in Garifuna then you will get the fun of it."
The 11 track CD is available widely and has a suggested retail price of $20.
