The twin sisters behind the band Ibeyi, Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz, have innumerable influences on their music, from all stretches of the world. They were born and are based in Paris but lived briefly in Havana as children. Their dad is the famed Cuban percussionist Anga Diaz, who played with, among others, the Buena Vista Social Club; their mother is the French-Venezuelan singer, Maya Dagnino. They have roots in Nigeria; in fact, their lyrics are often in the West African language of Yoruba, and that cool-sounding name, Ibeyi? It’s actually Yoruba for “twins.” So with this cocktail of elements, it’s hard to pin down their sound — but that’s part of its beauty and magnetic appeal. Get to know these new artists, who are currently on tour, in our interview with Lisa-Kaindé.
This album reflects our lives. It’s about losing our father and losing our sister. It’s about being alive and enjoying being alive. It’s about saying “I love you” to the people we love, and about melting ourselves together. Most important, I think the album is about hope.
Most challenging song to work on…
Probably “Stranger/Lover.” Because, for me, it was the most mainstream and I wanted to get it really right. But Naomi had no problem with it at all. Actually, the production part was really easy and fast.
And my favorite…
It’s impossible to choose — I think of the album as a whole. I guess the one I really like is “Think of You.” Because there’s a really cool message in it and we only started performing it a month ago, so I’m still excited singing it.
Our music is…
Quite difficult to describe. We used to say spiritual but in a contemporary way. We’re mixing lots of different influences — old Yoruba prayers, hip-hop, electronic, down-tempo music…
And our influences from all over the world…
We never really thought about it. Our music is reflection of what we are, and we are a true mix of different cultures. So it was all natural.
Earliest music memories…
Seeing our father perform.
The influence of our parents…
It was amazing growing up with them because they love music. It’s not only that they performed music, but they really loved music and they loved to enjoy music, and so we learned to enjoy music before performing. I remember us just dancing all Sunday, listening to different types of music — rap, classical, funk, Latin, jazz… That’s a true happy memory.
Haydée Milanés. She’s an amazing singer. I was a huge fan when I was, like, nine. She really inspired me.
Musician I’d love to see perform live…
Angélique Kidjo. Who else… I would have loved, loved to have seen Amy Winehouse and Nina Simone — that would have been a dream.
Working with my sister is…
When we are on stage and when we are in the studio, it’s always magic. I don’t know why. We connect so much in the studio. When we were recording, it was four months in the studio with no fights at all. It was unbelievable and really, really cool. And when we’re on stage, it’s amazing too. But as soon as we put our feet on the ground — off the stage — we fight. I guess that’s how we work. We’re getting better. We’re just so different, that’s the thing.
Our different personalities…
I am really reflective and calm, and Naomi is really sensitive and instinctive. I am like a beaver and she is like a panther — she feels everything and she jumps.
Our style on stage…
For the moment, it’s really simple. Always in black or white.
And off stage…
We’re really different. I’m more comfortable — t-shirt and sneakers. Naomi is really into fashion — she’s more into sportswear and cool clothes. One of her dreams is to design clothes.
Our pre-concert rituals…
We jump a little bit — to warm up like boxers do — and say “I love you” to each other. Then we go on stage.
If not a musician…
I would be a music teacher. Naomi — she would probably dance.
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