Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 | 33 COMMENTS
Miguel ‘Andros’ Aubertin
Where I am right now in my career, it’s just a different level of music, a different level of spirituality.
OonuCulture.com takes special privilege in announcing the rising of a star, St. Lucian born, Miguel ‘Andros’ Aubertin. Miguel lead-sings for a group in Maryland called Mama Jama, and entertains with a one-man show all over the Eastern Seaboard. He is a unabridged composer venturing into different genres of music with his creations. He spans the gamut of reggae, pop, R&B, soft rock, and Rap. Reggae music is the genre Miguel is most comfortable with as he espouses the Rastafarian philosophy. His versions of Bob Marley’s well known compositions breathe life into the world famous singer’s work, and reminds Marley fans of the virtuoso’s laid-back, yet powerful performances.
OC: We all love music and believe that we are excellent singers, when did you realize that you actually have the talent to sing?
Miguel: Wow, that’s a good question. I always knew I could sing. I just did not know that I would be taking it so seriously. I knew that I could carry a note; I could just listen to something and duplicate it, hitting that same note to the best of my ability. I remember being at [Leon 'Hess' Secondary School],*he laughs* my classmates and I would imitate popular Dancehall or Rap artists trying to be on ‘dem rap daddy ting‘ *he laughs* I must have been about 12 years old at the time.
OC: Do you play any instruments?
Miguel: I play the guitar. A brethren, Aron ‘Smacker’ Destange taught me around the time when I played gigs on the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship. He taught me the basic structures and cords. When I moved to Purcellville, Virginia I took a couple lessons from Mike Bailey a wicked guitar player. *He laughs* Mike’s a special guy, he is a great guitar player theoretically and practically, he’s a professional.
OC: Where do you get your inspiration and who are some of your musical influences?
Miguel: My influences are rampant, I grew up listening to my father and my brother’s music which ranges anywhere from classical to reggae and heavy metal. The inspirational vibes came from my father ‘Micheal Aubertin’. My other biggest inspiration is Bob Marley; I just caught my entire high from him. Growing up in St. Lucia, I was into the Soca vibe, but Reggae was always forefront. That’s my favorite type of music. I was drawn into Bob just by his message of Rastafari and ‘Inity’. I am also inspired by some of the new guys: Sizzla Kalonji and Capleton. I love their music.
OC: Do you remember the first song you fell in love with; what was it and what did it mean to you?
Miguel: The one song that I really fell in love with and if I ever here it again, it would bring back some really nice memories: ‘Cah Nam Me Out’. You remember that tune? *he sings* Cah nam me out dey just cah nam me out. *We laugh* Growing up I listened to more Dancehall type of vibes. Yeah, but that tune brings back some good memories, I mean; I can hear it now and just enjoy the good times. *He laughs*
OC: Can you recall the 1st time you sang in front of an audience; How was that experience?
Miguel: I would sing all the time in front of my family and their friends, you know just playing around. The first time ever would be when I sang with my brother Michel ‘Bong’ Aubertin’s group “Harmony”. We did a show at the Cultural Center, at first I was scared shit less; at the time I was shy, my brother always wanted me to sing with him at hotel gigs, I always felt he was ‘out of his mind, ‘I eh going on no stage n sing you crazy i cah do that‘; but there I was on stage and the nervousness was overwhelming. However, once I touched the mic and let the words came out, the crowd went crazy screaming – it was nice. I guess I sort of fell in love with that vibe, that high of making people feel good at the time.
OC: Looking back, from that performance to where you are now, tell us about your journey, would you say that it has been smooth sailing or have you encountered difficulties in pursuing a singing career?
Miguel: From that point, my vocal ability has grown tremendously. I never really came across anybody who would put me down; you know, I never met people who would say ‘you’ll never make it or you should just stop trying to sing’. I know that there are people who will secretly hate on my success or say negative things about me. Whatever bumps come my way, it’s because it has to be there, where I can overcome it, I will; where I can’t, I’ll go around it. Where I am right now in my career, it’s just a different level of music, a different level of spirituality. I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’ve gone through a lot with life and what it has thrown at me. I believe in the powers of the Father; the most high, anything can happen.
OC: Do you write and perform your own music?
Miguel: Some of the songs I perform, I have written. Right now as far as the different gigs I do a lot of covers from Bob Marley, Ben Harper and U-2. I cover a variety of genres when I do my gigs. The album I’m working on right now, I wrote some songs on there along with Jason Valakis. He’s a real brethren ya know
OC: Tell us what it is that makes your style different from everyone else’s
Miguel: That’s a hard one, I’m my biggest critic and I don’t want to appear to be on a cocky vibe; what draws me to a crowd when I sing: I put a lot of feeling into my sound. I was actually talking to Jason recently saying that ‘sometimes I perform and hear the sound that comes out of me, I can’t explain it, I can’t understand how I am capable of it; it is so powerful’. Experiencing that vibe of my music; of me singing, it’s sort of like an outer-body experience, sometimes it just throws you off, it hits you like ‘wow how is that possible’. That’s the best way I can explain the difference in my vibe compared to other people. I guess my voice has it own unique sound *he laughs*
OC: What impression of you and your music do you want people to walk away with after hearing you sing?
Miguel: When I start singing my original songs during my gigs and other performances I want people to listen to the lyrics because it’s a good message of ‘Inity’ and love. I don’t what to push anything on anybody as far as Rastafari. I want them to walk away with the levity of Rasta, just the way that they live straight through with love and righteousness. I want them feel and have a good time. I want them to enjoy me. I strive for them to have that good vibe.
OC: Tell us about how your album and some of the work put into it; when can we expect its release?
Miguel: Right now we have 12 tracks pretty much ready in the studio. We were messing around in the studio with a few names for the album. I was thinking of naming the album ‘The Truth’ because there is one song called ‘Fruit of Your Ways’ and the engineer has it saved on his computer as “truth”. *He laughs* One time we were going over the list of songs and saw the title ‘truth’ we were trying to figure what song that was, until the engineer told us. We have been playing with the name for while, but have not settle on one as yet. We are looking towards a January 2008 release. There is one previously released song that is going to be on the album, it’s called ‘Reincarnation’
OC: Oh yes, I heard that song, it’s very powerful; Is there a story behind this song or does it have any personal meaning to you?
Miguel: My father wrote and recorded this song when he was younger, he released it on the day that Bob Marley died, I must have been about 2 years old. He actually did not know at the time that it was the same day of Bob’s death. It’s freaky to me; the vibe to the lyrics of this song is that it links Marcus Garvey to Bob Marley. Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley were born in the same town in Jamaica, of course they came up during different times, but the link between these two men: both had a strong devotion to African Repatriation, Marcus Garvey’s platform was in his messages and preachings; Bob Marley’s platform was in his lyrics and his music. That connection is the basics and the vibe for the song. To me, is just a real, strong and powerful song. My father and I always spoke about re-doing this song. We contacted Francis ‘Leebo’ De Lima of Kronic Heights Records in St. Lucia, I played the original version on my guitar for Leebo and he replicated it on his keyboard. I went into studio laid the lead and background vocals over a one drop beat. Later on, other musicians including Aron “smacker” and his son came to record the base and other sounds. The song saw its re-birth after that. This song is just the beginning to a lot of bigger and greater things.
Click here to purchase Reincarnation/Tribute to Marley
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33 Responses to “Miguel ‘Andros’ Aubertin”
Bullet!! Bullet!! Bullet!! ‘Andors’ Much love and respect to you. Always knew you were meant to do great things. Love the song – awaiting your album. “What!!! Lucians takin’ Ova”
Remember how I always said you would put Lucia on the map..Big tune for real. Anybody who rate Andros say rarara!!!!
RaRaRa…. Brrrrrt
Miggs/Andros,
From way back during the days of R.C. Boys to Hess and to present times – you are destined to do top shotta tings
Blessings n Bless Up
RaRaRa… Brrrrrrrrrrrt…
Love the song, your voice has matured a lot. Hearing you now brings back memories of you singing “One Last Cry” and “Redemption Song”. Ohhhh Yeah n i cah 4get ‘Cah Nam Me Out’
I am impressed!!! After all you ARE an Aubertin. I must get your CD to hear the rest. You def have the male “Aubertin Voice”!! Congratulations and best wishes – hope to hear more of you.
Positives vibes & levity. C a brethren take opportunities & make good with it, feels great. ‘Many roads 2 travel,many more things 2 come’. One love Auber.
The Sky is the limit Bro. One Love!!! Maddd….
Recognize the Aubertin talent. Great song Miguel. Keep up the good work. One Love
Miggy…. I’m so in love with the song… VERY talented… much love and positive vibes…please let us know when this album comes out.
Oye auber my yute you have a top tune deh eh. but always know u is a top singer from way back in hess. Just keep it up and i think i will be sitting next to u in the grammies
Behind you 100% Miguel… let us know when your album drops. You should follow up with a video.Great interview. Positive vibes on the song. Mad respect to your father for writing ‘Reincarnation’…Watch out world Lucians ah take ova
I did not go to Hess but we all can recognize the out put of talent…. remember Leon Hess Calypso on de Hill… Pull Up!!
rasta positive vibes much success in ur musical career Migi
Yes “Gadzooks”!!! lol! Dat is de focus dat I realised early in de game lucian massive! You see dat yout dere; nuffing de I can say more dan NUFF RESPEK!
Tribulations nah break we
Know your trials and embrace it
De raggy roads it dere fi make we
You cannot run, unu fi face it!!
A simple cure to wounds dat hurt! Just live your life Fari, and know its worth!
Is love Migs! From de foundation of de heart! Tears inna Ras eye as me talk through dis keyboard. Inspiration to find de Father!Haile Selassie I! Glory and Honor to de Most High JAH! Yahweh Nissi forever! Forgive I my iniquities! Blessings Fari!
Since you were my first love, how can I not be proud to see how far you’ve come! When you’re at the Grammys I can say to everyone, this guy sang me Happy Birthday back in LHCSS days…! Also I remember that show at the Cultural Center cause if I remember right I was there dancing with Les Enfants… Anyway, keep up your great work Miguel!!
yeh mun, luv de music and ting.you dun know respect to all roots mun.
blessings star!!!!
Hey Miggy! Much love coming to you from Esther. All the best and keep on doing your thing.
Feel no fear…..You have what it takes to go straight through the roof. You have my support and my prayers.
Miggy, I am so blessed to be hearing about your movements. I remember us singing together at HESS and i can still say that hearing your voice is like having a piece of heaven here on earth!
Wuh u sayin SHATTAHYUTE! Proud to see you develop as an artist and as a yute. Keep it up Migs.. One Love !!! FORWARD IT IS!!!!
yeah bro big-up!!!However u eh mention u used to get beat in tennis every saturday at sandals.I make u quit. continue to live your dreams bro.best regards bonaventure
Good Job Miggy,
We all knew you could do it. Keep your head up and keep on striving forward bigger things are yet to come!!! Indies passi (lol) Much love Miggy!!!!!
Nuff Love My Brother!!!! U UP THERE!!!! Keep up the good work….
Boy Migi most people used to mistake us in our school days as the “Evil Twin” we too used to affectionately call each other.
Now as we’ve grown and taken very different paths I must say regardless of distance and time true friends has each other’s backs and will support thru thick and thin.
Proud of u bro Bless and keep up the good work.
Jermaine Magras
http://www.CaribbeanFuse.com
Upscale Crowd Entertainment
congratulations miguel; always knew you had it in u.Reach for the stars!!!!!!!!!!!
Bless up Andros. Jah guide we all day all day night. rastafari
yo migi ace here. good job you’re one of those in the generation that makes St. Lucians proud. Along with Ricky T, you guys keep on working hard this is just the start the real challenge in to keep appearing on the websites every other week. that when you know you have a career. Dont ever slack off and think this is it keep the fire burning.
original members of Harmony (BONG,MIGI,ACE,NADINE)
Congratulations and all the best
Andros, Good tings man, Respect, buddy, I am really proud to say that I know you, and you know your potential, don’t let any one tell you different.
Now that I’ve had the privilege of hearing the other fourteen tracks, Migs, I know you’re about to explode onto the world musical scene. What a fantastic job! Guidance!
Blessed Love!
Your Dad.
Big Op Rasta, u know i man is your number one fan!!!!!!!, Divine Love toppest tune. I will be dere for the CD launching. Keep the faith and the vibes rasta. THe place you are meant to be was there waiting for you from Birth already, u know the father than set it that way long time. So u will be at the top. Rastafari!!!!!
Some one just sent this to me. I can’t believe that I never heard this before. Why is this not playing on the St. Lucia Radio stations, you should be nominated for the St. Lucia Music Awards. Keep on doing it Miguel. God’s Blessings on you always and may the Holy Spirit keep on inspiring you my boy! Very proud of you! Hope that you will come down and do a concert sometime and Bless us with your presence.
Much Love
Jackie Cherebin-Weekes (Indies)
is this the same miguel that was on the carnival ship insperation that was my(craigs) cabin mate