Island Effect ‘met’ Ana on Instagram – scouting #stlucia is always a fun pastime and we at Island Effect like to see who the people enjoying Saint Lucia are. As a fellow creative, I was curious what brought Ana, a Native American musician, to Saint Lucia and to find out what she’d discovered and explored on her visit…
Island Effect Hi Ana, thanks for agreeing to chat with us. Was this your first visit to Saint Lucia?
Ana It was my first trip to St Lucia! I was anticipating my arrival!
Island Effect Ok! Why Saint Lucia? What made you choose to come here?
Ana I’m actually a freelance sound mixer so I was called to do audio for a show that would be shooting in St Lucia. It’s called Hidden Gems and will air on PBS in the states. Without hesitation, of course, I said yes.
Island Effect Oh wow! That’s exciting – we get PBS here so when the show airs, do let us know and we’ll post about it…and watch it of course! How long were you here for and I see from your posts that you did some exploring – what did you see?
Ana I was in St Lucia for a week and besides the obvious pit stop of the Piton Mountains, which were my highlight, by the way, we also visited some “hidden gems”.
We visited Pigeon Island and the old fort, Mourne Coubaril Estate, the Petroglyphs at Stonefield Villa, the beach, forest and ruins of Anse Mamin, shopped at Caribelle Batik, and visited a special woodshop and gallery called Eudovic Studios.
Island Effect Not bad! We have special love for Pigeon Island and the Saint Lucia National Trust who keep fabulous places open to the public – like Pigeon Island and the historic Morne Fortune, the Maria Island Nature Reserve, home of Saint Lucia’s indigenous lizard the whiptail and Walcott House, restored childhood home of the Walcott Brothers, Sir Derek, Nobel Laureate and his twin brother Roddy, much loved playwright who wrote about traditional life in the islands.
When we first spoke, you mentioned ‘it was quite amazing’ – tell us about what made you feel that way?
Ana Well firstly, the natural landscape of the island is gorgeous! Visually I was stunned. Secondly, the people were very kind and welcoming. Third, being out in the water was rejuvenating. Also, seeing the island from the ocean was incredible! And lastly, the history and plight of the native indigenous people…I identified with that on a deeper level being indigenous myself.
Island Effect As a creative, were you inspired to create while you were here?
Ana St Lucia has inspiration seeping from every bend. I was absorbing as much as I could to bring home with me.
Island Effect Lovely! Sometimes we forget how gorgeous Saint Lucia is, you know, when you see something every day…it’s always good to be reminded!
I’m wondering if you got to meet any local musicians here? Or other creatives?
Ana Unfortunately, I departed right before the Roots and Soul Festival so I did not meet any musicians. Maybe next time.
Island Effect Oh that’s a shame – well when you come back, check us out – I think you’d enjoy visiting Choiseul and perhaps Belle Vue when you next visit – Choiseul being the home of our traditional crafts and the highest percentage of ‘Amerindian’ or as we say ‘Carib’ people and Belle Vue, being a centre for traditional music, though there are others…plenty to see and experience!
And what about the food – did you try local?
Ana I did! My favorite was the Hardest Hard Restaurant. The menu is small and changes every day. We spoke with the owner, Evelyn Lagon, and she was such a sweet woman. Extraordinary chicken curry!
Island Effect Ah yes, a favourite of many a local and a great place to experience a true local eatery! Real back-street urban Caribbean style ? And if you have to pick one thing that you didn’t get to do that you would’ve like to?
Ana I would’ve really loved to have hiked the Petit Piton! Was hoping I could connect and ground myself there. That would’ve been special for me. Next time for sure.
Island Effect The Pitons are special for sure…sadly we lost a lot of heritage from there when the original hotel was built on the site, but the spirit of the place survives and there are lovely places to visit, powerful ones too: petroglyphs around Stonefield, behind Sugar Beach and even further afield at Bon Nouvel park and Balenbouche Estate; then there’s Charmaine’s homemade ice-cream at Au Poye Park on the Gros Piton Trail…and Choiseul has a lots of Airbnb type places – check out Vin’s Agri Tours where you can stay at one of the potters’ homes just above beautiful Anse l’Ivrogne beach…
Ok, so as a musician, what would you recommend to other musicians who are visiting here?
Ana I would say come during a music festival if possible, bring a journal and an instrument of your choice! There are many gorgeous beaches where inspiration is not fleeting.
Island Effect Good advice! We have our creole culture festival during the month of October – Jounen Kwéyòl and that’s a great time to experience all sorts of local music. Carnival in July of course is another – Dennery Segment is the latest rhythm to make it big in the region and beyond…I heard it made it to a Japanese dance-hall club…raunchy stuff…myself, I love the rhythms but not the words. But there’s also Calypso Tents during Carnival and that’s where you’ll find the best of storytelling and social commentary by song. Not many visitors get to experience that, but we think they should ?
On that note, do you think other musicians and artists would enjoy coming to Saint Lucia for creative retreats/workshops?
Ana Absolutely, the island is full of wonderment. The energy is distinct.
Island Effect Great – well we will be working on offering some creative retreat holiday experiences…
Now, about you…you’ve just released your debut single? I had a listen – lovely mellow music. How long have you been performing with Life The Hunter?
Ana Thank you for your acknowledgment. Life the Hunter was formed 5 months ago so we are just starting our journey. We are focusing on writing and recording at this time but will definitely put the word out on instagram for our debut show!
Island Effect Super – well do tag us when you do! Thanks so much for talking to us and sharing your experience as a creative visiting Saint Lucia. We wish you and Life The Hunter super success and hope to see you again!
Ana Thank you so much for this opportunity! We’re excited for the future and hope to one day return to St Lucia as Life the Hunter and hopefully share the stage during a music festival. We will also be releasing a new single very soon titled “Sunrise” looking forward to sharing that. Once again, thank you and take good care!
Island Effect That would be great…maybe during our Soleil Summer Festival…hey, thanks again for chatting to us and we wish you success in all that you do!
You can find Ana Saldaña at
Instagram @lifethehunter and @aztecavision
Life the Hunter website
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