Ifficial Reggae Movement

I’ve been following the group “Ifficial Reggae Movement” for a little while now. Not only am I a fan but I find myself impressed with their ability to move a crowd. Lead singer Livingston always finds a way to fill the dance floor by sweating and dancing to every beat laid down on drums while Darryl, who plays base, move the hooks pass you so smoothly you don’t even realized you have gotten out of your chair and started moving to the cadence.
Most bands that play at Morseland’s in Rogers Park get the occasional head nodding to the music from the crowd but with “Ifficial’s” performance you can’t help to get up and be a part of the party atmosphere they create. Another thing that impresses me about the group is how well they stay in contact with their fan base and produce new gigs for themselves. Since I last checked their website, they had bookings well into August. That’s impressive for a Reggae or any other band in Chicago. While other bands struggle to survive “Ifficial” has the ability to make everyone in the room feel like they are a part of the band’s success and you find yourself looking forward to their next performance.

I interviewed Livingston, the lead singer last week to find out more about the band and the direction they are trying to move in.

Q: You told me a great story of how you got started in the music business. Tell me again how you got started performing reggae?

Livingston: Well, I always enjoyed singing from I was a child in Jamaica. My parents were big singers in church, so I grew up seeing them sing in church and hearing them around the house everyday. They were always requested to sing at weddings, funerals, and special occasions. My sisters and brothers would sing as well so I sang in a few choirs at church but never really considered singing reggae until later in life. My parents did not really want us listening to secular music, so we sang church songs mostly.
I made a decision that I wanted to perform reggae after I graduated from college. I tried to contact a few local reggae groups in Chicago but they already had singers and I had no real stage experience. For some reason I started looking at newspaper ads for groups looking for singers, I always saw rock bands and others looking for singers but never reggae bands. One day I saw an ad in the Chicago Reader looking for a reggae singer, I couldn’t believe it - I called right away. I left a message telling the guy that I could sing just about any reggae song and that he should call me back, he didn’t! A few weeks went by and I saw the same ad again and I was pissed that he didn’t call me, so I called again and this time I left a message in Patois (Jamaican dialect) telling him that I could do it, and this time I was a lot more assertive. He called back immediately and told me about some open mic night that I should attend and he would see if I was up to par. He called me back the next day and told me that the open mic was canceled but asked if I could do a show that weekend in Michigan and sing with them. I was stunned but excited and I said yes. At the show that weekend, we did a sound check and after the song he said, “this is your band if you want it”. That was my start about 10 years ago. I have moved on since then to a few different groups before landing with Ifficial Reggae Movement with whom I have been the lead vocalist for the last 6 years.

Q: You have a pretty cool website. You sell clothes, merchandise and CD's but what's happening with those thongs?

Livingston: The thongs are a surprise seller. We cannot keep them in stock. I think women think they are cute and take it as a joke. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were wearing them to the shows - that would be nice actually. The t-shirts are going like crazy too, everyone loves the design.

Q: Where is your favorite place to perform?

Livingston: I like to perform at festivals. I like the atmosphere because families are there sitting on blankets, lots of food and art vendors, other great musicians, and with a beautiful day you have the perfect setting. Some people will not go out to clubs, so festivals are a good way for them to see performances.
“Ifficial Reggae Band”

Q: Outside of singing and performing what else do you do?

Livingston: I work in the social services field. I am currently in grad school at the University of Chicago to complete a Master’s degree in Social Work. My goal is to work internationally, primarily in the Caribbean to set up programs and consult with governments there. I also like to travel, just got back from the beautiful island of Trinidad, and I like sports and I love to cook and ofcourse spend time with my family. Going to my daughters’ soccer games and concerts are just what I need to relax and unwind.

Q: Where can we see you perform?

Livingston: We are regulars at the Morseland in Chicago (last Saturdays of each month), Clearwater Theater in the burbs, and most of the festivals during the Summer - check the w - Hustle Films - Armand Lucas