PUTNEY, VT— “The legacy of Ethiopian music has a rich history,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “It’s amazing to watch the musicians of Ethiopia carrying and building upon that rich tapestry of cultural music coming out of Eastern Africa. Qwanqwa exemplifies the virtuosity and talent in current Ethiopia – we’re excited to host them at Next Stage”.

About QWANQWA

QWANQWA IS A SUPERGROUP OF MUSICIANS FROM THE BADDEST ENSEMBLES OF ADDIS ABABA.

Brought together by a shared passion for the power of Ethiopian music, this group shines an experimentalism based on the virtuosity of rooted traditions. With swirling mesenko (one-stringed fiddle), punk krar solos (electric lyre), wah-wah-violin, bass krar boom, and the unstoppable rhythm of heavy kebero (goat-skin drum) beats, powerful traditional lead African diva vocals, Qwanqwa keeps the people wrapped in celebratory attention. After making a splash at world-renowned festivals Roskilde and WOMEX, and after 2 European tours under their belt,  this world-traveling ensemble is hitting the road in 2018 and beyond.

Qwanqwa draws inspiration from East African regions of Ethiopia and beyond. Delving deep into regional beats and moods, the repertoire ranges from a trance-like song of the Eritrean tribe of Blen to a Somalian rock number to Mahmoud Ahmed sing-a-longs. The music is characterized by tight arrangements and extended experimental moments. The live show ranges from intimate to wild, from whispery conversations to a full-blown rock show, and it is hard to believe these psychedelic sounds are coming from traditional harp and violin. It is driving, powerful, and different from anything else coming out of Ethiopia in this current Golden Age of Ethiopian music.

The ensemble was founded in 2012 by American violinist Kaethe Hostetter, who first worked in Ethiopian music as a founding member of the critically acclaimed Debo Band. Since relocating to Addis in 2009, she has participated in numerous exploratory and professional projects, as she honed her sound and immersed herself further into the culture of her surroundings. In this sense, QWANQWA, the Amharic word for “language,” is a project creating dialogues between cultures.

Members

Members of QWANQWA are Endris Hassan (mesenko), Mesele Asmamaw (krar), Kaethe (violin), Bubu Teklemariam (bass krar), Selamnesh Zemene (vocalist), and Misale Leggesse (kebero). They have appeared internationally with Getachew Mekuria, The EX, Thurston Moore, Fred Frith, Butch Morris, Debo Band, Nile Project, Fendika, Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astatke, Addis Acoustic, Ethiocolor, Atse Teodros, Mohammed “Jimmy” Mohammed, and Imperial Tiger Orchestra, and have played stages from Lincoln Center to Bonnaroo, Jazzfest (New Orleans), Moers Festival, Roskilde, WOMEX, WOMAD and more.

An integral and constant presence in Addis Ababa nightlife scene, QWANQWA has been featured in a performance at Roskilde 2016 (Northern Europe’s biggest music festival).

Their 2020 tour of the US, a 60-date US tour backed by the MacArthur Foundation, was postponed to 2022. 

Since its founding in 2012, QWANQWA has released two albums: Volume One (2014) and Volume Two (2015), and Volume Three (2020).

About Next Stage

Next Stage is located at 15 Kimball Hill in downtown Putney, VT. Tickets are $18 in advance / $22 at the door. Advance tickets are available at nextstagearts.org. For information, call 802-387-0102. The next Stage will provide a beer, wine, and cocktail cash bar.

Next Stage serves southeastern Vermont as a regional cultural hub, arts producer, and instigator of meaningful cultural experiences. Founded in 2010 as a nonprofit organization, Next Stage Arts is a transformative, community-centered project dedicated to revitalizing Putney’s cultural and economic village center through excellence in arts programming valuing diversity as a springboard for nurturing community.

Please visit our Health & Safety page for our current COVID protocols.

For more information and updates please go to: nextstagearts.org