I&I Livity
Biography I&I Livity
I&I Livity
took shape at the beginning of 2009, in the heart of the French Landes forest. A mix of eight West Indian and French musicians, linked by reggae and the will to make the most of their energy to send out positive vibes and encourage respect and tolerance, I&I Livity is an antidote for intolerance and hatred.
Inspired by the great voices of reggae (Third World, Steel Pulse, Jacob Miller, Groundation…) I&I Livity works on a simple principle: sharing. As each of its members has a different educational background and a different musical culture, they compose together and their artistic, musical and aesthetic choices and development goals are determined unanimously. I&I Livity creates its repertoire and « Upfull Reggae » identity with lyrics in English and French, and various rhythmic and melodic compositions, with no limits.
I&I Livity doesn’t aim to be in a specific category in the vast642-832 reggae movement. Their « Upfull Reggae » identity means energy, enthusiasm, “joie de vivre” and the joy found in helping, receiving… and sharing. Every day, I&I Livity modestly tries to convey simple and universal values.
In late 2009, I&I Livity recorded its first 4 track EP, « Resist », at the Manoir Studio (Léon, Landes) in collaboration with Michel Coustillas, mastering it in the Wise Studio (Ris-Orangis, Essonne) with Fabwise. The creation, financing and communication, as well as the distribution, were done independently70-480 and locally by the group itself. I&I Livity hits the road every week to share its beliefs and plays in the first parts of the concerts of the greatest Jamaican artists.
Among the prominent artists we can highlight Pablo Moses, U-Roy, Groundation, Anthony B, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Danakil, Natty Jean, Biga Ranx and Naaman; the band also takes part in numerous festivals, like Festijam, the “Festival Reggae de Bergerac”, the “Off” Reggae Sun Ska, “Tempos du Monde”, “Océaniques”… I&I Livity also likes to take initiatives and made a splash by organising the “Off” Reggae Sun Ska Festival in 2012, thus enabling twelve groups to play in the space of three days.
Following these successful experiences, I&I Livity has invested in the future, creating its own structure, for rehearsal and composing, with its own mobile sound system, and has purchased a minibus. In seeking complete autonomy, I&I Livity has also created PASDEBLABLA Association. After 150 concerts, in 2013 I&I Livity starts to work on creating this first album, « ÉVOLUTION ».
« ÉVOLUTION » means “perpetual movement from the past to the present and from the present to the future” I&I Livity nourishes its constant search by merging diverse sounds and influences.” The band sees itself as an active and conscious player in the struggle to improve our individualistic and hard world.
To achieve this, I&I Livity surrounds itself with an outstanding team, and at the end of 2013 it records at the Berduquet Studio (Cénac, Gironde) under the direction of Damien Coutrot (Danakil’s sound engineer) and is proud to feature on their track list Devi (The Banyans’ vocalist) and the Taylor Brothers, to be discovered on the Fulani flute and percussion.
The creation, production and financing of this album have been undertaken exclusively by I&I Livity. Today, I&I Livity has the means to release this first album under the « Khanti Records » label, developing a partnership with the production company « Siempremas Prod » (Dax, Landes).
