On the Decks with GC Sound - EZ Val & Asko

Written By Ethan Auguste

Since 2008, GC Sound has been promoting and spreading Caribbean culture through vibrant music in Switzerland and throughout Europe. Based in Geneva Switzerland, GC Sound organizes events and parties throughout the country featuring many renowned international guests and artists. Influences from Reggae and Dancehall to Afrobeat and Soca gives GC Sound the strength to carry on their projects each year. GC Sound comprises three official members namely Lyo GC, DJ Asko & EZ Val. Together, they contribute to the development of the Caribbean music scene in Switzerland.

ThriveIN5

 

What motivated you to pursue your passion?

Everything started 15 years ago...
Until now we have been influenced through the years by the biggest sound systems from  Europe and Jamaica. Travelling has been a important part of our influence
Time passed and now we are here still passionate from day one.

Who inspires you the most?
We get inspiration from everything and everybody that cross our route.
we are today, the result of combinations of different things we like to hear and
see with our own interpretation and experiences.


How do you handle the various challenges surrounding what you do?
We keep focus on what we like to do, and try not to listen to what hatters could
say or do...
Playing on stage and entertaining people with good music and spread the
caribbean culture are our main purposes.

EZ Val & DJ Asko

EZ Val & DJ Asko

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
So many things can happen in 5 years. With a lot of work and determination, our goal would be to reach the top 10
Caribbean DJ's and spread the Caribbean culture around the globe.
In 5 years Geneva will be the next carnival destination to look out in Europe.

What advice would you give to someone up and coming?
If you love something from your heart you can make it.
Everything is possible with determination and hard work.
We started in my friend's room with a kitchen radio as a CD player and an old school mic without speaking any english words. Never give up.

What was your first memory of soca?
At first, we will play Soca music in dancehall parties and didn't even know that it was a different genre. Maximus Dan, Shurwayne Winchester was 2 of them, then with years, we started to improve our knowledge until today we are still learning.
 

What was your drive to support and push for a genre that is not popular where
you're from?
To make our friends and our citizens discover what is a soca fete, what is a “Palance” a “jump to the ground and roll” and a “non-stush wine” LOL We believe in the power of the positive lyrics and energy that soca creates in a crowd.


What are your views on how soca is being sold around the World?
Soca is growing every day but is still less popular than dancehall, we need to carry on spreading the positive energy and messages from this music.


Which up and coming Soca artist should people look out for?
Erphan Alves, Preedy, Sekon Sta, Skinny Banton and plenty others, The voice was a surprise in 2016 and is very impressive as a young talent.

What are your top 5 soca songs in your playlist?


How do you promote yourself outside of the carnival/soca seasons?
With regulars and different trips around the world


What do you think soca needs to become more of a commercial genre?
Combinations like with Major Lazer, Bad Royal and others, combining music and genres is really interesting and limitless you can take Popcaan as an example.


What do you think would be your highlighted achievement as a Soca DJ?
To play at Trini Carnival, Soca Brainwash, Miami, Toronto and to create our own carnival in Switzerland and make the world come to us.

Ethan Auguste
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