On Wednesday I had the opportunity to chat with band leader of Elements Douglas John, by request, as Douglas wanted to “clear the air” on information that has been circulating where Elements is concerned. My first question to Douglas was why did he feel it necessary to address the rumours at this time? Douglas intimated that he has been following the blog, just to know what is out there as well as he appreciates my style and frankness, however he was curious to know where I was getting my sources as some of the facts that were written about were changed. So, let’s get to the real story behind the “ole talk”:
On leaving TRIBE…
Douglas left TRIBE voluntarily, not involuntarily or with any friction as was stated in the Scorch magazine article. Reason being that it was a personal decision, wanting to pursue something that he thinks is better for him and needing to step up and show people what he can do as a person, not as a band. Douglas saw the chance for development as a designer and more freedom to express himself. For three years Douglas worked behind the scenes with TRIBE, he worked on Jab Molassie, Dragon and Jab Jab Frontlines, as well as Jamette, Dragon, Midnight Robber and Pierrot Grenade individual costumes. In 2008 Monique and Dean felt it was time to bring him into the spotlight and he was featured as being part of the TRIBE team, in spite of leaving he wants everyone to know that he is still friends with TRIBE.
On Elements being a breakaway from TRIBE….
Elements is just another fun band, as a designer Douglas takes costumes seriously however their vision is different from TRIBE’s and he would like to state emphatically that Elements is NOT a breakaway from TRIBE, though he wishes them the best.
On Elements head hunting from TRIBE’s committee….
When Elements came together as a group of friends they had their own concept on how they should market the band and how to get people aware of Elements, it just so happened that a lot of them were already part of TRIBE. A lot of key people have been involved in TRIBE in one way or another. Having discussions with them Elements presented their concept and asked if they would support them and they said yes they would, severing ties with any other committee to come to a new band. The competition also did the same thing, coming after the same people that Element came after.
On who is Element’s competition……….
Elements is competing against all bands, since they are the only band that offers so many options of all inclusive and non all inclusive.
On Elements having no costumes……
The costumes are being made here with supplies from New York and China like the appliqués that Douglas designed; all 12 sections are complete. The idea of showing costumes before the media launch is a new thing, nothing is wrong with this, however Elements chose to wait until the media launch to show their costumes.
On planning to launch the same date as TRIBE…..
In conceptualizing the launch Elements was looking at venues and available dates, with no knowledge of what TRIBE was doing and the launch was tentatively planned for the end of July. However competing with TRIBE on the same day in same area is madness!Since Elements cannot launch before TRIBE they have decided to launch after. The launch is going to be a bit more upscale with the venue transformed, and due to the size of the area limited tickets will be available.
On the blacklist……..
The introduction party was a private affair for the main core people of Elements and their close supporters, no bands were invited as if it were another band having a private party they would not expect to be invited either. Dane Lewis from Island People was there because he is involved with 51 Degrees, people got the wrong impression. TRIBE did put up their billboard opposite 51 Degrees at 3 am the morning of the introduction party yet rumours are only spreading about what Elements is doing.
On the paleness of the committee………
At the introduction party the key people were presented, those being Charlene, Douglas and Colin and in retrospect the committee did appear to be “pale” even though it was not true. At that time everyone was not signed on as yet so the entire committee was not presented, however steps have been taken to rectify this and show the diversity of Element’s committee.
And there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth!!
Douglas left TRIBE voluntarily, not involuntarily or with any friction as was stated in the Scorch magazine article. Reason being that it was a personal decision, wanting to pursue something that he thinks is better for him and needing to step up and show people what he can do as a person, not as a band. Douglas saw the chance for development as a designer and more freedom to express himself. For three years Douglas worked behind the scenes with TRIBE, he worked on Jab Molassie, Dragon and Jab Jab Frontlines, as well as Jamette, Dragon, Midnight Robber and Pierrot Grenade individual costumes. In 2008 Monique and Dean felt it was time to bring him into the spotlight and he was featured as being part of the TRIBE team, in spite of leaving he wants everyone to know that he is still friends with TRIBE.
On Elements being a breakaway from TRIBE….
Elements is just another fun band, as a designer Douglas takes costumes seriously however their vision is different from TRIBE’s and he would like to state emphatically that Elements is NOT a breakaway from TRIBE, though he wishes them the best.
On Elements head hunting from TRIBE’s committee….
When Elements came together as a group of friends they had their own concept on how they should market the band and how to get people aware of Elements, it just so happened that a lot of them were already part of TRIBE. A lot of key people have been involved in TRIBE in one way or another. Having discussions with them Elements presented their concept and asked if they would support them and they said yes they would, severing ties with any other committee to come to a new band. The competition also did the same thing, coming after the same people that Element came after.
On who is Element’s competition……….
Elements is competing against all bands, since they are the only band that offers so many options of all inclusive and non all inclusive.
On Elements having no costumes……
The costumes are being made here with supplies from New York and China like the appliqués that Douglas designed; all 12 sections are complete. The idea of showing costumes before the media launch is a new thing, nothing is wrong with this, however Elements chose to wait until the media launch to show their costumes.
On planning to launch the same date as TRIBE…..
In conceptualizing the launch Elements was looking at venues and available dates, with no knowledge of what TRIBE was doing and the launch was tentatively planned for the end of July. However competing with TRIBE on the same day in same area is madness!Since Elements cannot launch before TRIBE they have decided to launch after. The launch is going to be a bit more upscale with the venue transformed, and due to the size of the area limited tickets will be available.
On the blacklist……..
The introduction party was a private affair for the main core people of Elements and their close supporters, no bands were invited as if it were another band having a private party they would not expect to be invited either. Dane Lewis from Island People was there because he is involved with 51 Degrees, people got the wrong impression. TRIBE did put up their billboard opposite 51 Degrees at 3 am the morning of the introduction party yet rumours are only spreading about what Elements is doing.
On the paleness of the committee………
At the introduction party the key people were presented, those being Charlene, Douglas and Colin and in retrospect the committee did appear to be “pale” even though it was not true. At that time everyone was not signed on as yet so the entire committee was not presented, however steps have been taken to rectify this and show the diversity of Element’s committee.
And there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth!!
13 comments:
Why does every comment he made, target TRIBE, it's as if he needs to constantly compare Elements to Tribe, yet you state you are still friends, DOUGLAS, if you do your thing do it and do it well, cause right now you sound a bit bitter.
ALL THE BEST!
"Steps" taken to rectify the paleness of a committee? Whats up with the rediculous political correctness in Trinidad now?
Would anyone complain if they we all dark?
Sorry eh ... but stupid answer to a stupid question.
Nontheless - good luck to Elements.
i agree with you redwhite&black. i don't see why this 'paleness' is a big issue.
If anything I would like to see rectified is the fact that none of the large bands feature models that have fuller figures and bustlines larger than a -A Cup lol I doh even care what their skins look like I just want to see models that actually reflect the full spectrum of mas players.
Is that too much to ask?
I was going t'say that aren't you supposed to want people for their skills, not the color of their skin? I don't care if they all got zebra stripes or polka dots as long as they can convince me to drop a ton of money on the band because I think they'd be fun to jam with --- but I see other people beat me to it!
Seeing that we fall all over ourselves on a daily basis to drop tons of money on shoes, clothing and handbags designed by the whitest of white people, I think it's a rather petty issue to concern ourselves with the race of a band's committee.
I'm paying my money to play in their costumes, not their skin.
Richard I would have to disagree with you on this one. From what I can see the only time Tribe was mention was when Tribe was in the question. I think you're reading a little too much into his comments. Cheers.
There are always two sides to a story and the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. With all due respect to Douglas his explanations while poltically correct are not fully accurate and there is a huge disconnect in everything that he is saying and what has actually been playing out on the ground. Those of us who live in Trinidad and who are in know could confirm that what he is professing here is not true and that Elements from inception has declared war on all the other bands, especially Tribe. The recently acquired PR person for the band (Amanda)does seem to be doing a good job however in trying to clean up this approach and image. This could possibly be where Douglas is getting his guidance from and would explain the band's new found approach and sudden turnaround.But please Douglas stop playing innocent. Just acknowledge that you guys started out with a very wrong and aggressive approach and that you have realised that and are now trying to fix that.
why is there such a focus on the "paleness" of the committee? What other stereotypes are next:the "darkness" of a band; the "gayness" or "femaleness" of a band?. This type of thinking is what continues to perpetuate the social divides in Trinidad and Tobago. And then we like to promote mas like if it's an "everbody" thing and fail to recognize that this is far from the truth. Let's look at people for their artistic and band management skills so Douglas and co. keep doin your thing....
Yuh know I was typing out a nice long thing on the whole "palenss of the committee" thing, but I'll just say this intead...People DO look at these things...paleness/gayness/whateverness, whether you wish to admit it or not.
Value for money, organisation, quality, customer service, design, experience ... these are real issues.
Like Jady says, they could be zebra stripped and I aint business!
Just because there are people that think paleness/darkness/blueness is an issue, doesn't make it right or even sensible. No point in perpetuating ignorance.
I'm so happy to see that I am not the only one who is completely fed up of this silliness.
The declaration of "war" is over, and is ole time ting.
Allyuh "big" band "leaders" play yuh mas. Relevance and reward will only find the true at heart, the pure in spirit. Someday we will really break through to freedom. Someday we will find the path to unity.
Wine down to the ground; the tribal ritual is love nowhere to be found in any pages of Victoria Secrets.
War and prejudice are for idiots!
Some people amaze me sometimes. Douglas is going to rectify the 'paleness' of his committee what s$%t is that. Would he then ask someone who is dark skinned to come on his committee just so there would be no uproar. Such stupidity its better he had said nothing because now it seems he's just trying to dispel negative assumptions of the band without making any sense. Why do people have to stoop to these levels and why do business men behave like this too. I'm pretty sure there are much more important things to worry about. steupsss....
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