Up Close … with Paul Reginald a.k.a Regi, best new artist in 2013 |07 January 2014

‘You need to have music at heart to do it right’

By Mandy Bertin

I was doing some research for the Arts and Culture review for our end-of-year issue of December 31. Reading through past articles I realised that it was indeed a great year for artists. I have heard so many great songs in 2013 and I’ve had the chance to interview a few of those singers except for Paul Reginald a.k.a Regi, the artist who sings Trespas, my favourite song for the year 2013.

I love the lyrics, the clip and I know many will agree with me that Regi and Extra (who also features in that song) have got talent.

So when Regi won the award for best new artist for 2013 and best collaboration with the song Trespas, I knew that he was going to be the subject of my next Up Close.

After my interview with one of Seychelles’ most prominent singers, I can say that music is Regi’s destiny though he likes construction and mechanical work and a little bit of acting too.

Music at a young age

“It all started when I was 16 years old at the Plaisance secondary school. We had a school band with our science teacher Vincent Letourdie as the person in charge, and the rest were all students,” he recalled.

“I joined Eddie and Clifford Telemaque in the Relation Band and then we decided to form a new band called LM Boyz along with Marcus Etienne.”

The boys released their first album in the early 2000 entitled LM Boyz.

“After a year, we parted ways. In 2004, I released my first solo album entitled ‘Jah Way’ and since then I did not have any other releases until last year with my new album Mon Santiman,” he said.

“It took me two years for me to complete the work on the album Mon Santiman. All the songs on the album are about emotions.

“The theme I have used for my latest album is love because I believe it is a powerful feeling and I think it is fitting to choose such a theme for my comeback,” he said.

“I am happy with how the public and my fans have responded to the release of the album. It is doing great.”

“My favourite song on the album is Bondye i la because I know that without God I would not have been able to do this album. I put my faith in Him as I believe that there is a Creator,” he said.

Trespas

“I’ve heard artists singing about relationship problems as a result of infidelity and other related issues but not about a man neglecting his wife and home, preferring to be with his friends,” he said.

“So this is the story behind the song Trespas. And then, one day his wife decides that this has to end so she puts a yellow cordon with the word Trespas written all over it. The man now realises the mistake he has committed.”

Challenges

“There are times I wanted to give up and discontinue on my journey in the world of music,” he told me.

Regi was doing mechanical work before at home but then due to some reasons beyond his control he had to stop, and this is why he decided to go back to doing music. Destined to go back, I would say.

Inspirations

“When people listen to my songs they think I am having relationship problems with my wife but this is not the case,” Regi told me.

“I write all my songs and they are mostly based on everyday life situations.”

“Across the years, Bob Marley has also been a great inspiration to me,” he added.

As you may recall, Regi won two SBC Vibes Cable Tunes awards last year and this has served as a great motivation.

“Winning the two awards means a lot to me and I thank all those who voted for me,” he said.

Acting

One of the top 10 qualities of a great actor is to have confidence to play your role right and if you watched Senaryo Alternativ on SBC TV, you’ll have the same opinion as me that Regi did a great job as the ‘therapist’.

“Well, I also started acting at a young age when I was still at school, taking part in drama during activities organised at school and national level, especially during the Creole Festival,” he recalled.

“Bagging the role of therapist in the Senaryo Alternativ on SBC TV is thanks to my sister Christine Reginald, who plays the role of Elianne, Nicholas’ mother.”

“I enjoyed it,” he said smiling.

About Regi

Regi was raised at La Misère and went to primary school there. He then moved to Plaisance secondary school.

He now resides at Plaisance, is married to Williana and is a proud father to three-month old Juliette and eight-year-old Julius.

“I am happy and thankful that I have a very understanding wife as she knows that now I have to work mostly at night as I have to perform at parties and shows. I am doing music full-time now so it is different from when I was a mechanic,” he said.

Advice to young artists

“You cannot sing just because you want to or you’ve heard someone doing it and becoming popular. You need to have music at heart to do it right,” he said.

“Music has evolved a lot in Seychelles, even the level of recording has really improved compared to when I started,” he added.

“But I would advise artists to be careful because there are people out there who are using our names to advertise their shows without us knowing.”

To the fans

“I want to thank my fans and friends for supporting me throughout and for their encouragement. I want to assure them that Regi’s got good music for them in 2014,” he said.

So dear fans get ready because every two months Regi will be releasing a single before giving you guys another great album in September!