As part of PAMM Free Community Night: Haitian Heritage: ROUTE 1804, Evolution of the Beat, on May 2 from 6–11pm, DJ Gardy, will take you on a curated encounter at PAMM highlighting all that makes Haitian history and music diverse, unique, beautiful, and indispensable.
This Haitian Heritage Month celebration, in collaboration with Maximillian Consultants Inc., will also feature a live performance by Little Haiti’s own Rara Lakay. Join in on the celebration and RSVP here.
We caught up with DJ Gardy and chatted about his musical inspirations and more. Check out our interview below and follow him at @gardygirault on Instagram.
Courtesy DJ Gardy
What inspires you at this moment or in this period of your career/life?
Right now, my environment and emotions are my source of inspiration, no matter where I may be—an airport, at home, on the busy streets of Port-au-Prince, or deep into the Haitian countryside.
Has your creative process changed a lot over the years?
My creative process has not changed very much over the years, but I have been incorporating a lot of live, local organic instruments, even more so than I have in the past. My music is constantly evolving.
Talk to us about Haiti’s music scene. Does Haiti’s tropical surroundings inspire your sound?
Haiti’s music scene these days is in the process of redefining itself. A period of renaissance; as it tries to find its new identity and secure a place that it merits in the current globalization of music. My sound is mostly inspired by Haiti’s organic ancestral vibe, a unique, unforgettable source that I would not call tropical, yet cannot be defined, only experienced.
What have you been listening to lately?
If you’re asking me what exactly I’ve been listening to these past days: Rüfüs Du Sol, Riva Trecil, Muddy Gurdy, Tekno (Nigerian singer-songwriter), and some African beats. In general, I like to listen to all types of music, my favorite being electronic music.
You’ll be taking over our terrace overlooking Biscayne Bay. Can you spill some details on what you have cooking up for your set at PAMM Free Community Night: Haitian Heritage: ROUTE 1804, Evolution of the Beat?
In general, I do not prepare a set ahead of time for a performance; I usually like to connect with the energy of my public in order for me to elevate with them. But, for instance, based on how I’m feeling right now about performing at PAMM, I can tell you that I have compiled a lot of new experimental roots and Haitian sounds that I haven’t released yet, along with some new productions from my African DJ friends.
Don’t forget to RSVP for this FREE event!
Written by Alexa Ferra