mahabis interviews // arrested development

 

Trailblazers of the hiphop scene in the early nineties, Arrested Development pushed the boundaries with the messages their music conveyed. Songs such as Mr Wendal and People Everyday are still enjoyed years after release, not just for their melodic mash-up of different genres, but also for the fact that they deal with social issues that are relevant today.

We talk to two members of the band, Speech and Fareedah, to find out more about what their lives are like after having released 12 albums. With much of their career spent busy touring and living on the road, the band share that there's rarely time to sit back and enjoy where they've got to. But when there's a chance for downtime, it's either spent in mahabis, meditating, unwinding to their tracks, or hiking.  

Read on to find out who they look to for musical inspiration, as well as what their alternative career paths might have been...

 

 

before we begin, tell us about the path that led you guys to forming the band, and getting to where you are today?

FAREEDAH: In my case, the band was already formed, by the time I came along. I was selected from an audition process, to fill in for Eshe, while she was pregnant with her beautiful daughter. From then on I was an understudy and I would fill in for shows that she was unable to do.

 

Most of our readers will be familiar with your work, but if you could sum up Arrested Development in just three words, what would those words be?

SPEECH: Uplifting and lively.

FAREEDAH: Positive, energizing, consciousness.

 

Speech's choice of mahabis: gya grey summer

 

Known as trailblazers of the hiphop scene in the early nineties - how has your music evolved over the years since Mr Wendal and Tennessee?

SPEECH: Similar but updated!

FAREEDAH: I think the sound has evolved into a more eclectic mixture of all genres of music along with hip-hop and so there are elements of pop rock jazz Neo-Soul some of everything. The subject matter has evolved as well. Speaking to many issues occurring within our society that affect people all over the world, as it did back in the nineties the music reflects issues of the time and addresses them or at least sparks a conversation.

 

Who have been your biggest inspirations? and which emerging artists are you keeping an eye on at the moment?

SPEECH: Public Enemy to Prince. New artists: Drake to Jay-Z.

FAREEDAH: I absolutely love Michael Jackson I grew up listening to all of his albums and I loved watching him perform and his stage presence and his amazing dance moves. I also loved how his songs told a story. As I got older I also gravitated toward his sister Janet Jackson, for the same reasons. However, visually, I could relate to Janet even more because she was a beautiful young black woman doing all the same things which made me feel like I could do them too.

 

 
Fareedah's choice of mahabis: summer black edition

If you weren’t musicians, which other routes do you reckon you’d have gone down?

SPEECH: A depressed teacher ! Or a journalist.

FAREEDAH: Previously had I not been able to be a part of Arrested Development I probably would have been working a corporate gig somewhere in an office. Now however I've become a part of the circus I've become a part of the circuits Arts community studying aerial dance on silks, trapeze and Lyra... so if I wasn't a musician with Arrested Development I would probably be performing in that capacity.

 

There must have been some pretty hectic times in your career, did you have many chances to sit back, and enjoy where you’d got to?

SPEECH: Rarely. But Australia & Japan are exceptions.

FAREEDAH: Unfortunately we don't really get that much time to actually sightsee and explore the cities that we go to as much as we would like there were a few times in Australia where we were able to sightsee a bit, it doesn't happen that often, but I'm super excited when it does.

 

What tracks do you reach for when you want to relax?

SPEECH: Ours, or literally massage type music.

FAREEDAH: Pretty much anything from Alina baraz Sade Erykah Badu India Arie or some Jazz instrumentals.

 

 

How do you fit in downtime when you’re in the studio/ on tour? 

SPEECH: Insist upon it, I like enjoying life in the moment.

FAREEDAH: I really don't like a lot of downtime. Whenever I'm not working I like to spend time with my family or check out a movie with my friends and just hang out. I really enjoy what I do for a living so I love spending my days doing it. Either rehearsing, training or teaching. 

 

When and where do you wear your mahabis? 

SPEECH: I work from my home recording studio, so I'm able to relax in what feels like house shoes while I'm tracking, but when I need a break from music, my wife & I LOVE to do a nature walk. Wearing my mahabis it's as easy as slipping on my soles and I'm off.

FAREEDAH: When I'm at the studio teaching Aerial dance, I'm usually barefoot. It's nice to be able to throw on some comfy slippers in between classes or while training. The removable soles make it so convenient to go from outside to inside, without having to completely take them off to walk through the space. They're especially nice in the winter months, I love them!

TASHA: When I'm home from being on the road, I teach voice lessons from my studio. I love wearing my mahabis because I can still look professional while wearing my slippers.

 

What are your tour essentials? The things you can’t leave behind.

SPEECH: Phone, computer and various cords!

FAREEDAH: My tour Essentials are definitely my phone so that I can take pictures, listen to music, and stay connected via Wi-Fi. I also like to make sure I have an extension cord with an array of power adapters. Headphones. I tend to pack a few snacks from home that I may not be able to find out on the road. I always pack a bathing suit, flip flops, my own soap and toothpaste.

 

How important is downtime for you all as individuals? What’s the ideal way you choose to to unwind?

SPEECH: Extremely important! Bike riding, hiking, eating.

FAREEDAH: If I'm not sleeping trying to rest and rejuvenate my body, I like to listen to music or sometimes I just sit in silence just to clear my mind in prayer and meditation.

 

 

What it’s in the pipeline for the year ahead?

SPEECH: More projects and a possible motion picture. 

FAREEDAH: I'm looking forward to more shows traveling to more places that I haven't been yet I'm also looking forward to performing some of the new music that we've been cooking up and have yet to perform live, I think it's going to be really exciting.

 

If you had an extra hour in the day, how would you spend it?

SPEECH: Sleeping.

FAREEDAH: Soaking in a jacuzzi! 

 

 

 

 

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