Sonic Collective Steel Pan

Invented in the 1930s in Trinidad and Tobago, the steelpan evolved from a series of experiments in protest of the bans placed by colonial oppressors on musical expression of the lower class. Today, the steelpan is an instrument that unites people of all walks of life. Steelpan music is also synonymous with Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago and serves as an identifier among the Caribbean Diaspora. A gift to the world, the steelpan is a true embodiment of the creativity stemming from a multicultural twin-island republic. For this collection, Sonic Collective teamed up with Keishaun Julien, an experienced steelpan musician from Trinidad and Tobago. This collection features a blend of strums and melodies mainly influenced by various Caribbean styles such as Calypso, Soca, Reggae, and Dancehall and was recorded at Full Stamp Music in Tobago. Keishaun Julien was born and raised in Tobago, the smaller of the two islands (Trinidad and Tobago). He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music from the University of the West Indies and is regarded as one of the top young steelpan soloists from Trinidad and Tobago. Keishaun enjoys traveling and performing all over the world, and has taken his talent to countries such as France, Belgium, Canada and Japan. “In Trinidad and Tobago, the steelpan is an instrument that people associate with happiness and joy. My goal is to bring that rhythm of life to whoever listens to the sound of my steelpan.”