Here’s a heartwarming story: Cross-cultural collaboration makes
good, endures death of original member, overcomes visa troubles
courtesy of then-Senator Barack Obama and helps relatives endure
political maelstrom in Kenya through fan donations. Extra Golden,
formed in Nairobi while American guitarist Ian Eagleson studied Kenya’s
benga scene, has evolved into a real global village,
sidestepping world-music-as-cultural-imperialism debates through pure
songcraft. The band’s latest release, Thank You Very Quickly,
couples benga‘s busy guitars, throbbing basslines and laid-back
drumming with indie rock’s unfettered spirit; fuzzy guitar tones dance
beneath rich, direct vocals as the band charms you out of your
multiculti stereotypes.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2009.