Greetings & thank you for visiting,

I am currently at the WOMEX world music expo/conference in Las Canarias .

My next event in Vancouver:

 

Saturday, November 10th 2018 – 10pm – Backstage Lounge – Vancouver

 

A year ago, we were told the Backstage Lounge would be closing and turned into a posh restaurant. It hasn’t happenned. Yet. So Fiesta Africana is back for a few months !! Master drummer Yoro Noukoussi and I are thrilled to invite you to this classic Vancouver dance party featuring the best in new and vintage African, Latin, Brazilian and tropical dance music ! See you on Nov 10th !

 event page for updates

 

1 – Music Journalist & Broadcasting

I have been producing and hosting radio shows and columns on Radio-Canada (the French CBC) since 1992. I currently co-host and program all the music on the Saturday morning show  LES SAMEDIS DU MONDE (7am to 11 am, hosted by Arnaud Decroix) where I present music and musicians from all over the world.

(To listen to my weekly columns (in French) and learn all about the Iceland desert or the Benin Taïga musics since 2015 click HERE / Pour écouter mes chroniques à l’émission LES SAMEDIS DU MONDE et tout découvrir sur les musiques du désert islandais et de la taïga béninoise, abonnez-vous à notre page ICI  )

During the summer seasons, I also write, produce and host the 30-minute show prior to LES SAMEDIS DU MONDE. It’s called SONGE D’UN SAMEDI D’ÉTÉ and delivers only good news and good music 😉 !

On the morning show PHARE OUEST, I have a monthly column where I present the young and upcoming music artists from BC & Yukon that are shaking things up in the music bizz. It’s called PLAQUES TECHTO-RYTHMES

Between 2012 and 2015, I did a national weekly column where I presented a ”fake quizz” called SEARCHING FOR THE SOURCE OF SUCCESS, a series on unusual covers of famous songs coming from unexpected places. I also dabbled into THE SONGS THAT CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY OF A COUNTRY,  and THE FUTURE SOUNDS OF CANADA (on the electro-aboriginal music scene). Every week, across Canada.

As a freelance, I also produce and/or host the morning and/or afternoon show on Radio-Canada BC/Yukon

You can browse through the complete list of radio projects on my CV below.

 

As a contributor to the British magazine SONGLINES, I write CD reviews and features. I usually cover the Aboriginal music scene in Canada.

A 4-page full feature called THE FUTURE SOUNDS OF CANADA was published in the January 2014 issue. 

In June 2015, my 4-page piece on Tanya Tagaq made the cover ! 

  

 

2. World Music DJ

 

I breathe music. I live for music and I love to play music for people and talk about it on radio. My first paying gig was at 16 in Kibuye (Rwanda) and I never looked back. I’ve played on boats (the France-Ireland ferry crossing), trains (in the Piedmont, NW Italy), bars, restaurants, clubs and festivals. I have a knowledge and a passion for African, Brazilian, Latin, Flamenco, Ska, Reggae & other Caribbean music, Electronica, Middle Eastern and Film Music etc… The collision of cultures has given us great music and still does. I am interested in collisions, experiments and meetings through music. Music is light years ahead of politics and current social debates. Music is also timeless. As a DJ, I always want to have a live element. Most of the time, I play with one or many percussionists.

 

I’ve been DJing ever since I’ve been able to put a needle on a record (that was before I knew how to walk according to my mother; a crawler DJ I was). I specialize in what some call World Music. From Art Gallery openings to Dance Clubs, Concert Halls and Catwalks, I have been creating soundscapes and soundtracks to create a musical trip. Since moving to Vancouver in 1986, I’ve opened for such artists as THE THIEVERY CORPORATION, GILBERTO GIL, PARIS COMBO and LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES.

I’ve had many club residencies, the most notables being AFRODISIA at The ANZA Club (1992-1999), LAZY PLEASURES at The Chameleon (1994-2001), ELECTROPICAL at The Backstage Lounge (2001-2011), FIESTA AFRICANA at The Backstage Lounge (2011-2018)

Let’s not forget the musicians & percussionists who play with me regularly: Yoro Noukoussi, Israel Toto Berriel, Raphael Geronimo (Rumba Calzada), Navaro Franco (Zambai Trio), Sacha Levin, Nick Apivor, Curtis Andrew, Jack Duncan, Liam MacDonald, Robin Layne.

HISTORY

 

Past events: 

  

 

  

 

                

        

                          

      

Past residencies in Vancouver:

With my music mate Michael Laycock, we held for 10 years (Nov 2004-Nov 2014) a monthly WorldBeat Dance Party called ELECTROPICAL at the Backstage Lounge. A cool and hot spot on an island…..

 

I also hosted a weekly event (5 to 9pm) at The Calabash Bistro in Vancouver called COCONUT THURSDAYS ”sun-infused soundtrack for after work gatherings” spinning reggae, ska, calypso etc. (2014-2015)

A weekly event called CLAVE ! in the funky Tiki Lounge of the world famous Waldorf Hotel. (2013)

 

Back in the days (1992-2003) with my DJ partner Tobu Ley, we were doing a monthly African dance party called AFRODISIA…

 

 

….and a weekly lounge event called LAZY PLEASURES at the wonderful CHAMELEON Lounge.

Other events in Vancouver…..

2000

The first ELECTROPICAL with Conrado Beckerman

1992-1997

Acid Jazz days at The Bottle, The Pic & The Chocolate Milk

(with DJs Clarence, David Jones, Michael Golf…)

I’ve opened for some artists that I like and respect. Recently, LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES from Venezuela, THE THIEVERY CORPORATION from D.C. and local bands like Delhi2Dublin and Tambura Rasa.

I also do custom soundtracks for gallery openings, fashion shows, theme parties etc.

Check my CV below for details.

 

3. Concerts and Events coordinator

With my music mate, sound engineer Xavier Berbudeau, we have a production company, NeoGeo Productions. Past noteworthy events include brazilian artist BÏA IN CONCERT, LOVE IN THE TIME OF ANDALUCIA , THE ALCHEMYST AND THE BURNERS and Italian Jazz/Cabaret pianist PAOLO SERAZZI.

  

For 3 years (2012–2013–2014), I was the musical director of the Western Canada chapter of LE DÎNER EN BLANC, the classy flash mob picnic organized by THE SOCIAL CONCIERGE that took place in Victoria (BC), and Vancouver (BC). Booked/put together live bands and supplied dinner/dance music.

 

4. Film-Related Work

”Metteur en sons” / Soundscape artist for numerous documentaries. I hire composers, negociate terms, do some needle-dropping etc
I also do voice-over in French for any types of projects and commercials. I can do many accents. Previous projects with REAL WORLD MEDIA (Vancouver) and RED LETTER FILMS (Surrey) abounds.

I am the president of the board of directors of the VANCOUVER LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL, a not-for-profit organization with the mission to provide a forum for the promotion and exhibition of Latin American cinema in Vancouver. This annual festival encourages dialogue among cultures, and explores and celebrates the art of contemporary Latin American and Latin-Canadian filmmaking. The festival is taking place the last week of August every year. VLAFF’s mandate is the encouragement and appreciation of motion pictures as a medium of art, information and education. Since 2003, VLAFF has provided audiences with the unique opportunity to watch inspiring films and interact with guest filmmakers from across Latin America and the diaspora. Our special screenings also allow me to do the music selection for all to enjoy.

5. Percussionist
I play Cajón, a box-shaped percussion instrument that originates from Peru and used extensively in Flamenco music, Cuban music and Brazilian music. These days you can hear it also in such music as blues, pop, rock, funk, world music, fusion, jazz etc. I call it a drum kit in a seat !

 

 

I ran two international bookstores in Vancouver between 1987 and 2010. Remember Manhattan Books & Sophia Books ? That was me behind the counter and the concept… and then, there is food !  Check my Vibes ‘n Spices blog.

Stay in touch:
http://www.facebook.com/marc.fournier

neogeo.marc (at) gmail.com
+1.604.328.2191

Thanks for dropping by !

 

 

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Experience