All you Rasta people out there can (and should!) enjoy the sunshine and feel the rhythm at the Reggae Camp between July 29th and August 2nd. We caught up with one of the masterminds behind the biggest reggae feast in Hungary, Tibi Bodnár, the guitarist and vocalist of the legendary Hungarian reggae band, Ladánybene 27.
Reggae, ska and riddim have become hugely popular in Hungary in the past couple of years. What do you think the reason for such success is?
It’s been a long process. When we (LB27) started to play reggae, only UB40 and Bob Marley and a couple of disco hits (Lalalala Long, Sunshine Reggae…) were labeled as reggae in Hungary. We had to go to Jamaica to learn everything that was there to know about the genre. We went there in 1995 and since then we’ve felt it our duty to share what we found there with other bands and the audience. Obviously, the Net has also helped a lot to spread the word of reggae. However rarely you find reggae artists and tunes on the charts, reggae still has a massive presence.
The Reggae Camp is not your average Hungarian festival. What makes it so special?
People with similar musical tastes and attitudes – a very positive outlook on life that is – come together for five days to celebrate reggae. Everyone remotely interested in the genre, the musicians and the DJs visit us in the camp every year, so it really is like a big get-together. But I feel the same way about the Kaláka Folk Festival and the Paks Gastroblues Festival, too…
How come Reggae Camp is not in Százhalombatta this year?
We were way too loud for the locals’ liking, however hard we tried not to disturb them. But you can’t really have a festival without making some noise. And also, Százhalombatta is a small town where the increasing political tension is difficult not to notice. The whole Reggae Camp experience would have been damaged by this political tug-of-war.
What’s the line-up for this year’s camp?
All the established and new bands of the Hungarian reggae and ska scene will be there. PASO (Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestra), the Irie Maffia and the Copy Cone are all coming and LB27, the host, are also gonna play. The European Reggae Contest brings us a Slovenian band, the Bro and the Danish Mystic MC will also play. The Gambian singer, Mandingo Warrior will play with Riddim Colony, and the highlight this year will definitely be the Jamaican master, Don Carlos.
Ladánybene 27 was the first band to play reggae in Hungary back in the ’80s. What was more difficult: establishing a new genre or staying on top with all today’s competition?
Both are really difficult. Building up a whole genre from scratch is a massive task. We had to overcome all the stereotypes regarding reggae. At first, we were not considered a reggae band, but as a band that merely played reggae. Fortunately, now we have a vibrant reggae scene in Hungary, so we don’t have to front this whole mission, or to present all the different Jamaican directions of reggae (dub, dancehall, ska, roots…). Now we can concentrate on the style closest to us, which is roots reggae. At last there’s some healthy rivalry and the whole scene is buzzing.
From the outside it seems that all the artists in the reggae scene get on like a house on fire, you often jam and play together. Is this apparent harmony due to the idiosyncrasy of reggae?
Reggae is more than just a musical genre. Everyone who tried to really get into it and has become a reggae musician knows this. We are here for the reggae cause, for the free music and the positive thoughts. Reggae is also a training in self-knowledge, relaxation, the rhythm of life and positive vibration. We are all friends, even if we’re often linked only by the music. We speak the same language, that’s why we often mingle and feature in each other’s bands. Reggae Camp will see loads of these interactions and jams.
LB27 plays a lot fewer concerts than most Hungarian reggae bands. Do you consciously stay out of the limelight?
I don’t think that playing 80-90 shows a year means that we don’t play much. But as a 24-year-old band, we know that a young, fresh group can talk to the 18-to-25-year-old audience a lot more easily than we could. We are more like the well-established, professional milestone of the Hungarian musical scene.
LB27 is 24 this year. Are you planning a big birthday bash?
We don’t really think about our birthdays. Though when we were 10, we published a book, and when 20 we released a retrospective DVD. Next year, we’re planning a major concert and release for our 25th. Till then, fingers crossed.
Event details, here.
Interview by Aranka Szabó