Tassili

Touareg music’s biggest stars Tinariwen are back with a new album. Tassili is a stripped-back, acoustic gem that echoes their early days. We talk to the band’s bassist Eyadou Ag Leche.

Why did you leave Mali to record this new album?

Eyadou Ag Leche: We recorded in Djanet in Algeria, because it wasn’t possible for everyone working on the album to come to our base in northern Mali. The French authorities advise against travel to the northern provinces because of all the kidnappings in recent years [some of Tinariwen’s technical team are French]. When we were living in Libya [Tinariwen originally met in refugee camps in Libya in the late 70s] we often passed through Djanet, so in a way this was a return to our roots. We have many friends and family there and we’ve always felt really at home there.

How did the recordings take place?

EAL: We recorded in a valley, playing around a campfire. It’s a special place for us because when we started Tinariwen it was where we wrote some of our early songs. We set up the studio in the shelter of a tent, but we left it open to the elements, we wanted to feel the wind and have that connection to our surroundings. We even did some recording in the open air, so we could see the sky. For us, this album is like a travel journal, it’s an encounter between musicians which is full of great memories.

Tinariwen – Tassili desert sessions – shadows on the sand

This album features Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe of TV On The Radio. How did you all meet?

EAL: We met at a festival in the US. They listened to our music, we listened to theirs, and something happened. We just knew we could do something together. We invited them to the valley because we wanted them to get a feeling for the source of our music. It was their first trip to Africa, and they were so moved they didn’t want to leave!

On Tassili, several songs share a theme – the desert’s jealousy...

EAL: The desert is jealous of the worldwide resources that it doesn’t have. Like all the water which is wasted, while we have none, and the hospitals which exist everywhere except the Sahara, and the schools our children cannot go to. The desert hopes that one day it will no longer be envious of all this.

Since your success, many other Tamashek musicians have appeared on the scene. Do you feel you are like guides for them?

EAL: Music is a never-ending story. Everyone has their part to play. Of course, it’s very important to teach others. We are very committed to educating the next generation about music. Music can open doors. It’s essential for Tinariwen to pave the way for others. And we want to continue in this spirit, so that others will carry on, because we won’t be here forever.

Tinariwen – Tassili is out now on ANTI-

www.tinariwen.com