In celebration of the rich Namibian heritage, Afrofusion jazz artist Lydia Garises, well known as Damasfusion, will perform tonight at the monthly Night Under the Stars event at the Goethe Institut.

Damasfusion and her band plan on bringing forth a fusion of Afro chants, rich in clicks of the beautiful Khoekhoegowab language, folktales and complex southern African rhythms with the colourful and bold sounds of jazz.

Coupled with her rich vocal abilities, the evening is set to bring forth entertaining live music that would leave the audience trancelike in song and dance. 

“In order to create the unique Damasfusion brand, I am keen on keeping it very authentic,” she was quoted as saying. 

Damasfusion said she has a deep understanding of music and when composing a song, always creates her own rhythms, bassline, guitar riffs, melody and lyrics. 

Bubu Kakuva, her guitarist and bassist, is in charge of the rest, and she lets him expand it. Her interest is music composition, and she enjoys experimenting with complicated rhythms and various bass grooves. 

She sings about Namibian contemporary social issues, the importance of cultural heritage, patriotism, self-love, romantic love, family love, and issues about earning your bread and butter. 

This is because she likes creating awareness and educating through her music. 

Comparing her music to a melting pot of sounds, Damasfusion said her music is inspired by the traditional wedding music of the Daman, also called Besu, and the rich vocabulary spoken by the elders, as well as jazz and modern elements. 

“Using different vocal ranges and pitches without losing touch with a given song, is an amazing experience I’d always like to share with my audience. I play shakers too,” she enthused.

Damasfusion believes local artists need to create what they want to hear – their own Namibian sounds. 

“I don’t follow trends; I don’t do things to be loved and accepted. I have created my own comfort zone from where I am able to create my signature dance sequences, my scriptwriting, my wardrobe designs and my cultural doll project. All these artistic expressions are like a backdrop and I add colour and texture to Damasfusion music,” she added.

On her upcoming concert at the Goethe Institut, Damasfusion said her audience will see a vibrant, energetic and colourful performer, and will “realise what a hidden Namibian gem Damasfusion is”.