Interviews

Julian Marley: On Love, Roots, and Education In His Own Words

Julian Marley, a seasoned roots Reggae performer, is a multi-talented musician, writer, and singer. Born June 4, 1975, in London, Julian is the only British-born Marley son. He spent summers with his extended family in Kingston, tuned in to Rastafari, and became immersed in the Marley’s musical environment. A self-taught musician, Julian is skilled at guitar, drums, bass, and keyboards. Since the 1996 release of his debut CD entitled Lion in the Morning, Julian “Ju Ju” Marley has toured the world extensively to perform alongside his talented brothers. The 2003 CD Time and Place, and Awake in 2009 has resulted in a large legion of fans that attend his solo performances. At the invitation of the Jamaican government, Julian Marley and the Uprising band represented his adopted country and performed at the historic 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

Julian spends time between London, Kingston, and Miami, spending much time working and recording in the family-owned Lion’s Den studio. On a recent mini-Florida tour, I caught up with Julian following his casual and intimate performance at Pineapple Groove in Delray Beach. I’ve known Julian since the early ‘80s and have watched him grow and his career evolve. He was first featured in Reggae Report in 1990, heralded as “The Next Generation.” Now he leads that generation forward…back to the conscious roots Reggae that his legendary father personified. 

No longer a shy introvert, Julian is charming, confident, and well spoken. He comes with a message of motivation and inspiration. He answers my questions often using the “royal we,” a term that denotes acting conjointly with God/Jah. Here, in his own words, Julian allows us into the world as Ju Ju sees it – with love, hope, vision, and his goals for the future.

MPQ: Julian, you’ve just returned from an extensive European tour – Spain, Holland, France, Switzerland, Germany – how were those shows for you, performance-wise? Audience reaction-wise?

JM: The shows were very good for me. Europe has a big fan base for Reggae music so you get a lot of love in Europe through the music.  So it was good, yuh know, very good. I enjoyed it.

MPQ: Where is your largest fan base and why?

JM: I don’t know really (laughter). We’re still traveling, still moving. Cuz everywhere you get loyal fans, people that, if you come again next year, they are there. Wouldn’t want to say anything to offend them.

MPQ: Where is your favorite place to perform?

JM: Amsterdam! [he recently played at the Paradiso.] Beautiful…and a lot of greenery and scenery…nice. (laughter)

MPQ: It’s said that writers write what they want to perform over and over, what is your favorite song to perform and why?

JM: I really don’t have a favorite, but you have more serious things, more maybe than a party song…like “Tings Ain’t Cool” [recited lyrics] “Why is there fussing and fighting, I think too much material delighting, when will we come to realize, it’s not real.” [And sings ]“t’ings ain’t cool anymore.” Yuh know what I mean…it speaks of the time in which we live – so much corruption and war. But at the same time, there’s a positive in it. It’s not just darkness. When you acknowledge and know things ain’t cool then you search for the light.

MPQ: Your last CD, Awake, was released in 2009…I understand you have been recording a new CD at the Marley Music Studio in Kingston, producing it yourself along with Steve and Damian…is there a name for the new CD? When do you plan on releasing it?

JM: No, don’t have a name yet. We’re still in the early processes of working on the album. Hopefully everything can… realistically, it’s going to be in the next year, hopefully…yeah.

MPQ: For Awake, you’ve been quoted saying that CD was geared toward motivation… what will this new CD be geared at?  What is the message?

JM: Well, it’s always about motivating, yuh know. But the CD will be probably more about freedom - yuh know, stand up for your rights. As well as… we always have some Lover’s Rock, too. But I think this album [will have] more like “Get Up Stand Up” kinda feel to it.

MPQ: Tonight you added some bluesy/jazzy kinda vibe to the show.

JM: Yeah (laughter). Well, we have different feels at different times. Tonight’s show was not the full [Uprising] band that we use, so tonight was a different style, more bluesy/jazzy night with the Reggae. Sometimes that’s the inspiration. We listen to a lot of music, we love music, so sometimes the Jazz and Blues influences count.

MPQ: Why no Uprising band tonight?

JM: I want to tell you, the people requested acoustic. They saw our show a couple months ago [at Miami’s Arscht Center] and requested a concert like that.  [Tonight’s band was dubbed the Vista Lane Band and featured James “Jimmy” Malcolm on keys, Aston Barrett, Jr. on bass, Ken Fairbrother on guitar, and Craig Taylor on drums.]

MPQ: How would you describe your music in 3 or 4 words?

JM: Positive. Uplifting. New Roots, like we’re the new generation of today. Authentic – it’s still roots, still new, but it’s still fresh. (laughter)

MPQ: Describe your father’s influence on your musical style.

JM:  His influence is embedded, really. When I wake up, [with] my guitar, the first thing that comes inna my heart is that the music comes from my father. It’s in our blood, in our veins. It’s not even a thought; to me it’s something that is needed. Cuz every day I listen to that music, and it’s like when I listen to it, I want to play it, I want to hear it. Because some of the legends are not here today, we have to feel the spirit, as our father would say, and channel and feel the music. 

MPQ: Do you see a change in Reggae’s direction in Jamaica these days, away from violence and exploitation?

JM: See, you have like three quarters of a whole. One quarter a’people who sing positive music, and another set where it’s nothing really, nothing really to educate your mind, nothing really to sit down and really listen and solve a problem. Yuh know, is more like you drunk, and probably get drunk, or you want to get high high, too high. So sometimes I see a thing where we need to bring the music forward to roots. Every other music has their roots, no matter how much money they are making; everyone still has their roots. Reggae music is the only music nowadays that just switch. Listen to it. I don’t hear one – not even Dancehall.  It’s like Hip-Hop. So if it’s Hip-Hop, say it’s Hip-Hop, don’t say it’s Reggae. We need to open up the music industry wider then. Make it known we have Hip-Hop in Jamaica. Don’t tell the people dem it’s Reggae Reggae, then we come with Reggae and they’re confused. If you really check it, it’s this original Reggae that’s sandwiched in with music today.

MPQ: You’ve been playing instruments – guitar, drums, bass - since you were like 6-7 years old…and in music for more than 25 years…what is the most important lesson you have learned about the music business?

JM: The most important lesson is that you have to be in the business also; it’s not just making music. ‘Cause you make music, and when you finish make music it has to be promoted. Sometimes as an artist you sit back when it’s not really time to sit back. So what we learn is that while you make the music, you have to find a way to channel it out with the promotion. It’s not like you can wait for it to be released or be promoted. We have to jump up. What I’ve learned is we have to get moving in this business.

MPQ: Yes, especially today when you really don’t have record companies.

JM: All we have is music. They changed the format but it’s still music. No matter if you want to put it out on something small like my fingernail, I want to hear some Carlton Barrett, Family Man Barrett, or Sly & Robbie of the new age – or the old school – I just want to make sure I can hear all of these elements on this thing here. [he looks at his fingernail]

MPQ: Going back to those early days of performing, how do you feel about your performances today, how is it different now?

JM: When we were just getting started we didn’t have a lot of knowledge on the music itself, like on the instruments to play them properly, like on stage, or maybe singing on key. So it’s been a learning process, like steps on a ladder, that every day you learn something – and the stairs never end. (laughter)

MPQ: What I see is that you are more comfortable and confident on stage. You look at the people when you sing or when you talk to them and the people respond, like tonight. That’s what I see, you agree?

JM: I agree. (laughter)

MPQ: If you could change one thing, anything, about the music business, what would it be and why?

JM: What would I change or what would I add? I think I would add…what I’d really love, and what we really need, is… I would open a school inna Jamaica, or anywhere in the world, and we’re going to be learning Jackie Mittoo, because everyone needs to learns stuff. Even if I play Jackie Mittoo to someone, it blows their brains. They can’t believe the chords and the phrases, and I say whoa, cuz I know this stuff when I was like high as my knee. So that’s like something, like, OK, you need that? I’d rechannel it, reteach these young musicians, [teach them] about Eric Rickenbacker Frater, an original Studio One guitarist in Jamaica. He played with our father too, on a couple of albums.

MPQ: Music has an impact on fans young and old, what advice do you have for the youths of today? For young aspiring musicians and performers?

JM: Inspiration. The message we have really is unity and love. Yuh know, every time I say that word – love – people say: Love? What you mean love? What I mean is if you love – if you have love, pure natural love for earth, for any living substance that is here on earth, and you get that same response from another person, and the other person, and the other person and it spreads, then there would be a thing called eternal peace. There’d be no more suffering. Yuh see, suffering comes from division. Because, if I am living in a house, and I’m hungry, and the shop is closed, I’m so divided that I’m not going to knock on my neighbor’s door to see if I could get a slice of bread because of pride. So this false pride, so this whole thing… so we say – love. It’s a simple thing. You can figure it out in your own way.

MPQ: If you could collaborate with any artist of any genre, who would it be?

JM: Hmnn-nn-nn, who am I gonna say now? I never really thought about it. [after a long thought process he says] John Legend…and the Roots. I love their CD, the work that John Legend did with the Roots. And I like the Marvin Gaye-kinda feel, like “What’s Going On.” Yeah, John Legend and the Roots.

MPQ: What do you do for recreation or relaxation when you’re not working?

JM: Well, we just live good, yuh know. Meditate, which consists of just relaxing. Sometimes we listen to music, sometimes the birds, sometimes the breeze, sometimes a stream. This helps build creativity and channel with nature. I love to play ball, yuh know football, aka soccer. (laughter) Music, because music is a part of relaxing. (laughter) Yeah, it’s nice because you can just sit back, there’s no rush. Maybe ‘bram’ I write a line or two lines or three lines, then ‘bram’, there’s no lines? OK, I’ll come back inna hour or two. It’s always music still, I wanna tell yuh…and ball.

MPQ: Tell us something fans do not know about you… or a side of you the public never sees?

JM: What you don’t know about me is I’m a normal person. In the sense of how we grew on this earth, the foundation, I’m normal. I grew up to take the bus to school and maybe walk home sometimes. Clean up the whole house sometimes for mummy, do the shopping. So we learn what’s real. It’s still part of your consciousness. So we’re still conscious and acknowledge who you are and what you are. It’s not just what your name is but what you are – a human being. So live and love.

Thanks to M. Peggy Quattro for authorisation.

About the Author: M. Peggy Quattro, Reggae Report founder and publisher, celebrates 30 years in the Reggae business in 2011. As head of RRI Media Corp., she manages ReggaeReport.com Reggae Report on Facebook, performs freelance writing, editing and PR, public speaker from a personal reggae perspective on Reggae history, and is a Certified Social Media Strategist and consultant. - Reggae Report/Facebook | ReggaeReport.com | Blog- www.mpeggyq.com | ReggaeReport Twitter |

A day with DJ PAUZE. Find out his thoughts on the Monarchy, the Royal wedding that took place, about President Obama! More about the Unique Reggae Mix Show, its progression in the last 5 years and what's to come............ May 6th 2011 was a beautiful hot day, which contributed towards a pleasant drive through the South East of London. I arrived in good time to meet with DJ Pauze, a long time friend of mine. This friendship provided a dilemma for me, how was I to interview my friend after knowing so much about him already, how was I to pitch the interview ensuring I have captured elements of interest for everyone. These were some of the questions fluctuating in my head. Nevertheless I got on with the job knowing full well I had to separate friendship from interviewer.

Knocking on his door Dj Pauze came forthwith to greet me, immediately our greeting was normal man-to-man stuff. I don’t visit regularly but always enjoy when I do, he has so much music on vinyl and cd around in his tightly well-organised office space.

Taking a seat my thoughts ran on the interview and how I was going to conduct it. DJ Pauze’s hospitality soon enabled me to relax, settle down and focus on the job in hand.

I asked who is DJ Pauze?

I tend to use Dj Pauze aka Gav Pauze now and I see myself as a music loving man just like you. Were all human beings regardless of race or skin colour or what language we speak.  Using words to describe myself i would say I am a passionate friendly person who simply loves good music, that’s me through and through.

See something I have been involved with from my early to mid teens is playing music. I first started spinning Rave/Jungle music in the Midlands, my place of birth. I had a fascination with turntables. In 1995 I met Dj Search and Dj Blaze who influenced me to play Jungle more they introduced me to Technics 1210 turntables and gave me the confidence to pursue music more deeply.

It was around this time when I was introduced to Buju Banton’s reggae album Mr Mention and then in 97 Buju’s album Inna Heights that had a massive influence. Buju was one of the most sampled Reggae artists in Jungle music around the mid 90’s, along with record breaker Daddy Freddy so i was familiar with a lot of their songs that had been remixed into jungle.

I treasure all my vinyl's but certain ones not only lock in good memories of my childhood but also always create a great feeling inside as when i first heard them.

My first reggae vinyl in my record box to play out was Lloyd Brown “Love You Down”  but its was Buju’s Inner Heights album that was the most inspirational in my late teens i loved the sound of Buju’s voice and could really relate to most of his songs.

More recently its been music like Dub Judah’s album “Better To Be Good” amongst other good reggae music really steered me into focusing on just the positive uplifting side of the music i now feature in the radio shows.

At this point we ventured out of the office due the hot sun, it seemed the sensible thing to do being cooped up in a small office was not doing it for me having driven through busy London. Venturing out gave me the opportunity to divert away from the norm, most would have sussed out details about DJ Pauze so I wanted to know the unknown about the man his thoughts on everyday matters such as the Monarchy, president Obama.

What’s your thought on the Monarchy and the Royal Wedding?

I respect Lady Diana she had contributed positively to the world. Always smiling and I remember growing up seeing her on TV in areas clearing landmine's!

During my club Djing days I used to DJ at St Andrews in Scotland, which is home to St Andrews University. I remember one time in 2003 when I was working playing at a  nuclear Bunker in Fife and while i was getting supplies for the long night ahead I was passed by William in the local Tescos, he was que jumping.

William has to prove himself I feel which has started to do as I heard he was out on a rescue in his helicopter before he went on the honeymoon. Moving on to Harry, I would describe him as a rebel without a cause, a teenager having fun. As for cost of the wedding just like many people I have reasoned with, I totally disagree over the amount of money spent, £20 million that’s a huge amount when so many important public services are being cut and money being taken away from the children, the poor, elderly,disabled, NHS budget cuts and the people that are suffering the most are those that need the help the most.

Your thoughts on President Obama?

I don’t have much to say about President Obama other than I think he the same as the previous governments, its the same set up we have here in England, they all try to control the people by misleading us the from truth.

Sitting in the park under the hot sun I could tell DJ Pauze was wanting to talk more about the radio show and the progress being made with that and the web site, something he spends the majority of his time developing and producing each week. So I returned to the subject of radio show.

What is Pauze Radio?

Pauze Radio is the web site that has developed into an online archive of the Unique Reggae Mix Show. Now its nearly 5 years running and I have collected every show that has been on air and I wanted to share them with all the listeners of the radio show and also to attract new listeners too.

In 2009 I teamed up with a web developer Mark Townsend in London and we have been working on developing the web site Each show has its own page where you can listen to the show and also read the play list of that show, you can leave comments on most of the pages on the site too.

It takes time to build and develop a web site of this scale and to be honest I am pleased with the progression and growth of the site in the past couple of years. Not only am I really pleased but also with Marks help I have learnt so much  about web design and web development.

How did the Unique Reggae Mix Show get started?

In December 2006 in the Midlands I produced my first radio show entitled the Unique Reggae Mix show, this was aired on local station Unique FM.

This opportunity to do my own radio show was a lifeline because at the same time I was suffering with depression from an accident, the press release for that is on my biography page on my web site Positive reggae music had really helped with the depression and after reasoning with a few friends I decided the radio show would be positive reggae music only.

I set to the task with dedication and focus on not just uplifting the listeners but also uplifting myself. Noticing there was not much support where I lived at the time I looked to things like the internet to promote the shows, playing reggae music and making the show available online enabled me to establish links with music producers and artists worldwide via the social networking sites,  also email, msn and skype.

I have a strong philosophy of a “two way street” when working with artists, what i mean by that is you treat me with respect and i will treat you with respect, i tend to steer away from working with artists and producers if they come across disrespectful or pushy; and yes sometimes it does affect the selection of the music/artists I feature in the show, i am sticking to my rules though.

Dj Pauze spoke of his time at UK Homegrown where he recorded shows from 56 to 110 at the studio. Although good times were had  there was also difficult times for him, first not having a stable home to live in London and sleeping in the studio, then having to travel many miles across London each week to record his show to meet the deadline for Unique FM. At times he was unable to make it to the studio to do the show which lead to the creation of the Lost In The Vault Shows where there is no talking at all. These shows are still regularly uploaded to the web site and are worth a listen. Dj Pauze recalls many laughs and most importantly very productive work at the ukhomegrownmusic-studio and great support from all of the UK Homegrown staff.

How did the Tribute Show start? 

The word tribute suggests a passing, after life, why is it Reggae artists only have tributes made to the when they have passed, I feel an artist should have tributes while they are still with us. I have noticed that many listeners and artists agree with this too. The reason behind the mass of tribute shows i have made in 2011 is to change the trend, to show others its ok to tribute our reggae hero’s while they are still with us. I decide who I tribute in the shows by several factors, reasoning with the listeners and working off feedback generated online and by phone calls too. Any artists wanting to know how to get a tribute show or mix tape made should link me on facebook or by phone and hold a reasoning, yes I have plenty more tribute shows in the line to make.

The idea for doing tribute show came from a long discussion I had with Elijah Prophet resulting with a Bob Marley and Peter Tosh show then the feedback from that show was overwhelming and the idea of making shows for respectful artists that are still with us grew from there. One rule if your getting great feedback you don't just stop, push harder explore more avenues be creative and always remember everything is always possible.

What about playing as a live DJ?

I played jungle in clubs from about 1995 onwards, turntables is my passion but it is hard to carry a varied selection on vinyl with reggae as there is so much, with jungle there was not as much selection.

Recently I upgraded to a macbook pro and a vestax dj controller so i can spin all my reggae selections just lacking some vital equipment as the running costs of the web site and the cost of producing the radio shows takes up most money. I am determined to succeed though and i know that the natural progression for the show is to aim to perform the Unique Reggae Mix Show live in clubs and venues in Europe, USA and abroad.

I look forward to performing with artists i have worked with in the radio shows and I see it as a natural step forward for the works i am doing. At the moment the development of the web site and the production of a new radio show every week will take precedence over any live performance.

What about producing the show for national radio?

That would be nice, but not important, as I am still able to reach the same if not more people through the Internet and mobile phones but with less restrictions than a national radio station. I see the web site as the way forward, being able to archive the shows, also allowing listeners to stream any of the shows in the archive on iphone/Blackberry/Andoid smart phones.

I see the archives as being very important. Archiving enables people to have access to earlier shows and listen when they please, since everyone seems to be in a rush constantly now, having the show conveniently in an archive on a web site that you don't need to login in to listen suddenly becomes really handy.

The freedom of being able to play the music I do is essential and the show is a reflection of how the listeners and I feel, music is an expression and the music I like to promote is educational and promotes love, its good positive, uplifting music with a message of reality and culture enabling people to learn from it.

What are we to expect from the web site?

At the moment the web site has recently grown with over 200 pages of reggae shows, reggae music videos and also reggae artists biographies.

Even though the web site is still in development you can access radio shows from 2009 to present. I plan to keep uploading a new show every week and also archive some previous shows from 2008 extending the archives of the show on the site and allowing the listeners to hear reggae music they may not hear else where.  More will be added to the artists video and biography sections too. There is so much more going on behind the scenes of the web site but I cant give you all those details yet, see mystery creates excitement....

You can read more about exclusive interview with DJ Pauze Radio click on links

http://www.pauzeradio.com/jah-reggae-artist-dj_pauze_aka_gav_pauze_interviews.php

Interview & photos by UK Homegrown | Special thanks to DJ Pauze |