Ten years that we had not seen them, and they return to Vitry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne).
Ten years that the four acolytes have not come back together on stage to play under the name of Java, a “rap musette” group formed in 1998, whose success was concentrated during the first decade of the 21st century.
So those under 30 probably don't know them.
But this group, composed by R. Wan (singer), Fixi (accordionist), Alexis Bossard (drummer) and Pépouse Man (bassist), released three albums, the first of which “Hawaii” in the year 2000, was classified gold record.
They had then scoured the festivals (Vieilles Charrues, Francofolies…), played the first parts of -M- or Mano Solo, or had performed in many foreign countries, such as Germany or Lebanon.
Le Parisien: Why did you choose to come back?
R. Wan:
In July 2020, we participated in the Des Confinés festival organized by the Cabaret Sauvage at the Parc de la Villette.
There were a lot of people we knew, and it was the first time the four of us got together since 2010. It made us want to do something together immediately.
We had also matured on our own and we quickly agreed: for the 20 years of the group, we all wanted to go back on stage.
What were the reasons for the indefinite break ten years ago?
We didn't get along anymore, we were just fed up
(laughs)
.
We did a hundred dates a year, we lived in groups all the time, sometimes leaving our family aside.
Our job is to make people happy, so you have to please yourself first and foremost, and that was no longer the case.
At that time, we felt that we had to move on.
What were your plans during the break?
Fixi formed a duet with Jamaican singer Winston Mc Anuff, they made 3 studio albums, he also created Ultra-bal, a group that revisits French classical music on stage, and accompanied Nigerian drummer Tony Allen.
Alexis, after having toured with De la soul and Benjamin Clémentine, joined Pépouse Man (co-founder of the Music Unit studio), within the group La Canaille.
And me, I embarked on a solo career by releasing five albums and I started the group Soviet Suprem.
We feel an anchoring in the capital in your songs, what is your relationship with Paris?
I was Val-de-Marne until I was 20!
I grew up in Vitry-sur-Seine and that's where I met Fixi, we went to college together.
We then lost sight of each other for a while before meeting again almost ten years later.
All the other members are Parisians and that influences our music.
In what ?
At all levels !
In the lyrics, our lyrics are strongly inspired by rap.
And the fact of coming from Vitry-sur-Seine is not for nothing, with groups like 113 or Kery James who grew up there.
Rappers advocate the street, we advocate the bar.
There is the panache which also plays a lot in our concerts, and the accordion which represents the musette in the collective imagination, and our greatest success "Sex, accordion and alcohol", reflects this quite well.
Will a new album be released soon?
This is not planned at the moment, but for this occasion we are releasing our first vinyl and digital album, “Hawaii - Legacy Edition”, which features four rare bonus tracks, recorded a long time ago.
Our second album, "Safari Cruise", is also released on vinyl and comes with a new cover.
The first date of the 20-year-old tour will take place on Thursday at the Sur les Pointes festival in Vitry-sur-Seine (full).
The group will be back in Val-de-Marne on October 15 in Nogent-sur-Marne, at the Pavillon Baltard, as part of the Festi'Val de Marne.
More information on their future concert dates, to find
here
.
