The band Zikatatane live on the Armada stage

Armada : Tell me how the story of Zikatatane began.
Zikatatane : The band was created in 2003 by three high school buddies : Ludo, Tim and Choca. The other members of the band came afterwards little by little to end up with a 9-musicians-formation. Zikatatane's identity has been built on friendship and the festive spirit, and since then our motto is “complete fiesta” to share with the public.

Armada : How do you compose and write your songs?
Zikatatane : Ludo, the singer, writes the texts and we compose the music all together around the chords chosed by Ludo that go with the lyrics.

Armada : Your songs are between dreams and reality. Where do you find your inspiration ?
Zikatatane : It comes mainly from everyday life without particular aim in but feeded with a search for permanent happiness, and for the sake of simple things. Our music is inspired by the rythms of ska and is situated a mix of rock and reggae, as well as waltz, salsa and musette.

Armada : In your song “Au coin du feu” (“By the fire”), you deal with the subject of ecology, and this year we are working to make of the Armada an clean event, how do you involved yourself into the protection of environment ? What is your opinion of this Eco-Armada ?
Zikatatane : We don't have the pretention to be actively involved into the protection of environment but we are all very receptive about that subject, and the song “Au coin du feu” puts ahead the close relationship that we have with nature, that's why it's very important to preserve it.
One of the members of the band (Mad Call on the trumpet) is a bee-keeper, bees are part of the diversity of nature, so it's necessary to preserve the Mad Call's hives.
We think the Eco-Armada is a very good initiative and it's a way to make a lot of people think about the respect of environment.

Armada : On stage it's always the “complete fiesta”, have you planned any surprises and outtakes for the Armada ?
Zikatatane : For us every concert is different but always filled with emotions and surprises, be sure that there will be on Tuesday, July the 8th.

Armada : On July the 8th you will be on the stage of the Region, before Tiken Jah Fakoly, how do you feel about that ?
Zikatatane : We feel extremely proud to open for such an artist as Tiken Jah Fakoly, we have a great respect for the values and the emotion that he brings through his music. We listened to Tiken Jah Fakoly even before the creation of the band, for us it's like fulfilling a dream to be on the same stage as him, plus it's taking place in Rouen in front of our audience who support us since five years.

Armada : What do you expect from this concert ?
Zikatatane : Performing on such a big stage, in front of so many people will be for us a premiere. Maybe it will be the occasion for us to break through and to make contacts with professionals. We hope this concert will permit us to export more actively our music through the country and that it will widen the roads of Zikaland.

Armada : The word of the end ?
Zikatatane : We give you an appointment on July 8th at 19.30, bring all your energy and your cheerfulness, and be ready for a cocktail of clashing party, to consume without moderation.