At Spotlight 29 Casino on Friday, May 27th
By Noe Gutierrez
Seven-time GRAMMY® Award and EMMY® winner Ziggy Marley’s self-titled album will be released worldwide May 20, 2016 via his own record label Tuff Gong.
The humanitarian, singer, songwriter, and producer continually progresses at every turn. His eight-album catalog with the Melody Makers encompasses three GRAMMY® Awards, countless sold out shows, and anthems including “Look Who’s Dancing,” “Tomorrow People,” and “Conscious Party.”
Since making his solo debut in 2003, he received the GRAMMY® Award for “Best Reggae Album” in 2006, 2012, and 2015 in addition to the Award for “Best Children’s Album” in 2011 recognizing his first children’s album Family Time.
Ziggy’s musical history dates back to 10 years old when he would watch his father Bob Marley in the recording studio.
Coachella Valley Weekly spoke with Marley in anticipation of his performance at Spotlight 29 Casino on Friday May 27th along with his 9 member band.
On his sixth full-length album:
“The theme of the album is humanity and what’s happening with the world. The concern for me is emotionality; about what I see and think about in the world today and I express a lot of that on this record. The sound is different and the drums are different. It’s a bit more of a tighter sound musically speaking. It’s different lyrically than the last few albums I did. I was looking into being myself where I am as an individual on a spiritual and emotional level. This album, I’m looking on the world as humanity, as people, as one; one mass.”
On reggae music today & his stance:
“I think it is always growing and always relevant to the people. It’s a music that has vibes and a music that makes you want something positive too. I want to be about love. I want people to love each other. I don’t really care about legacy, I don’t have time for that. I have time for love. To me, I have a job to do and that is to bring this message to the people.”
On music as a whole:
“Good music is there. Just search for it and know what you like and what you feel and what it is that’s put into your mind. That is the most important thing. You can love the beat and love this and that but how does it influence you otherwise? We need to start looking at music in that way so that we don’t get tricked by the beat and get our minds fucked up.”
On his show at Spotlight 29 & Coachella:
“Don’t expect, and come open-minded. I tell people that. Music is for your body, mind and soul. Let’s see if we can communicate and have communion with each other. And have a good time while we’re doing all those positive things.”
“If Coachella wants us to play there we can play there. If someone asks us to play, we’ll play. I love to play everywhere.”
On family:
“My son was born a month and a half ago. My family is growing and keeping positive. Everything’s alright. With family, the thing with me is, we don’t see each other a lot but we love each other. It’s a real love.”
Quino McWhinney of Big Mountain on Marley:
“Ziggy Marley is a brave musician and composer. He does not follow trends and consistently brings something brand new to his listeners. Much like his father, Ziggy’s music is always fresh and interesting. I highly respect Ziggy for stretching the boundaries of reggae. Big Mountain attempts to do the same exact thing with our music.”
Tickets are $46, $56 and $76 and are available at www.Spotlight29.com, Star Tickets (800) 585-3737, or the Spotlight 29 Box Office and Gift Shop. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.
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