Cultural Vibrations (Unity Through Music) is Nottingham’s leading grassroots promoter for global roots music. As they celebrate their 15th anniversary with a concert at the Nottingham Playhouse on Saturday 13 July, we caught up with founder Rastarella Falade ahead of the night to hear how Cultural Vibrations began and what we can expect on the night.
Since 2009, Rastaralla's belief that 'Unity is easy when you look within, not at the skin’ has been at the heart of Cultural Vibrations - an idea demonstrated by the vibrant lineup of accomplished local, national, and international artists coming up at Cultural Vibrations 15th birthday this weekend. Joining Myki Tuff and Grammy nominated Tippa Irie as headliners, is an impressive bill of musicians from Jamaica, India and Africa, with artists including Malawian Gospel artist Matamando, soulful Reggae singer songwriter Lisa Hendricks, renowned tabla player Mendi Singh and award winning Gambian Afrobeat artist Gambino Akuboy. And if you want to make a night of it, there will also be a selection of delicious food from Chef's Hut Jamaican takeaway.
Before this extravaganza takes place, we spoke to Rastarella about the early days of Cultural Vibrations and what she’s got in store for the future…
What inspired you to start Cultural Vibrations?
I fell into music promotions by accident because, back in 2009, I was a stay-at-home mom. I had my youngest daughter in 2008, and she was born with a whole-life disability which comes under the umbrella of rare chromosome disorders.
My husband spent a lot of time cooking as a positive mental stress reliever outlet for all the medical challenges we were facing with Abisola's condition. It turned out that he was really good at making Caribbean-flavoured ice creams. Our friends told us we should try and get ice cream samples into the public. Someone told me that there was a guy I should contact called Adam Pickering, who had his own festival called Hockley Hustle.
I did just that. I enquired about having a stall at his festival through Facebook Messenger. He said yes. To cut a long, interesting, and hilarious story short, Adam and Tommy Farmyard ended up coming to my house tasting the ice cream and some Caribbean food we had also cooked. Adam then asked if I knew anyone who could host a venue representing the music of black origin and world-beats. I told them I would give it a try, and they offered to help me put the event and stage line up together. I had absolutely no experience in creating or hosting events previously. But after that first event at the Hockley Hustle Festival, I found my calling. The rest is history.
Representation and visibility matter a great deal to me. Unity is fundamental to everything I believe and promote, both in my personal life and in my events
Initially, how hard/easy was it?
It was all extremely brand new, and I had to learn a whole different set of skills. One thing about me is that I am not afraid to ask for help and I did have a lot of support from the small network of friends and connections I had at the time.
In the early years, I have made a few faux pas by being naïve, but it's all part of the learning process. Looking back, I can see how hard it has been at times. But we live to learn, and thankfully, I find it relatively easy now. I have gained many skills and learned many lessons since 2009!
What's been the driving force to keep you going?
It just feels right. I am a great believer in doing what you love and being a part of something bigger than yourself. I feel I have positively contributed to the growth of Nottingham's live music scene, and that (in itself) is a driving force to continue.
I also have three daughters, who are my inspiration to continue. I want to show them what can be accomplished by self-belief and by trusting the process.
Also, the different communities that have supported me over the years are a driving force to keep going. Many people who were there at the beginning in 2009 are still my friends now. I do this for all of us. Representation and visibility matter a great deal to me. Unity is fundamental to everything I believe and promote, both in my personal life and in my events.
What are your biggest achievements so far?
I am grateful that, since starting in 2009, I have been given opportunities to branch out into other areas of the creative industry. In 2015, I founded the Nottingham Global Roots Festival to especially showcase music from around the world for free in the community. I also joined 97.5 Kemet FM and was taught how to become a radio presenter.
I have been blessed to be actively involved in having stages at Hockley Hustle, Green Hustle, and Nottingham Poetry Festival since 2009.
Last year, I was appointed Global Roots Music Programmer at Nottingham Trent University. This year, I won the commission to create a new free entry community festival for Hyson Green, which I am collaborating with Coleen Francis from Freedom Arts. That one is called the Hyson Green Global Festival.
On top of that, I start my first artist residency this summer at the New Art Exchange, where I will begin the process of creating my one-woman show.
So, to go back to the question, it's all been a big achievement, especially for a little girl from Trinidad whose academic education stopped at seventeen! I feel blessed every day that I get to wake up and do what I love. On a personal level, my family life and my peace have also been a huge accomplishment for me.
Can you tell us a little more about the residency at New Art Exchange and your one woman show?
Is there anything you haven’t done yet?
This year, in December, I will be putting on and hosting my first SEND family afternoon and socialising event, especially for children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities. This will also be an opportunity for their families and carers to get together on a social level and enjoy an afternoon and evening of live entertainment and fun. The event will be funded by money raised from the GoFundMe campaign I made late last year.
I am looking forward to that event because it's needed in so many communities and will make a positive difference to all who attend.
Where would you like the organisation to be, in the next five years?
I would like to help others become event organisers and industry leaders, especially women and those from the Global Ethnic Majority because we are still very much a minority in the creative sector. I would like to give talks and workshops on developing your skills, brand and creating your own scene that can make a positive difference in your towns and cities.
If you had a blank cheque, what would you do?
I would do a few things. I would like to have a venue for the community to connect with each other, alongside being a live music hub and a place for people to eat good food and socialise. Also, I would buy a holiday home in the sun and pay for never-ending deep-tissue Thai massages!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years, shared my events, attended my events, performed, taught me how to do things, let me host events at their venues and all those wonderful people who have cheered me on and accepted my hugs!
Special thanks go to my husband Olalekan, my daughters Sofia, Eniola, and Abisola, and also to Adam Pickering, Tommy Farmyard, and Steph Sirr MBE for their unwavering support over the years.
Come to my celebration concert and let's get together and feel alright!
Cultural Vibrations (Unity Through Music) -15 Year Anniversary Celebration Concert takes place on Saturday 13 July. Tickets are available here.
You can catch more music curated by Cultural Vibrations at the Hyson Green Global Festival on 13 - 15 September, at New Art Exchange. More details here.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
