Interview with Mervin Nourice, sound and light technician |25 September 2020

Mervin Nourice

‘Lights at a concert is important to the ambience’

Sounds and lights during concerts and shows ‒ before these were shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic ‒ are the most important elements of the musical events. Without both, a concert would simply be a capella performance.

With over two decades on the music scene, usually in the background, sound and light technician Mervin Nourice knows this all too well.

On the occasion of his 42nd birthday last week, Seychelles NATION sat down with Nourice to talk about his passion for music, his debut in the entertainment industry and the impact of the pandemic on his livelihood.

Seychelles NATION: How did you end up in doing sound and light?

Nourice: I started off as DJ Mervin. I played everywhere, in every nightclub but now I only play in Barrel on Sundays. When I was 17 I was playing in Flamboyant and by 22 I was involved in sounds and lights. It was deejay-ing that sparked the interest for sounds and lights. Even at the National Youth Service (NYS), I was never interested in musical instruments; it was always DJ for me. I love music a lot and it has always been my dream growing up to have a job related to music. Sure, it’s a hard job ‒ it costs a lot to maintain the sound and light equipment ‒ but it’s a passion of mine.

Seychelles NATION: Had this always been your passion?

Nourice: I grew up in Belvedere and La Louise, and I have one brother and four sisters. I am the second eldest but I was a very hard-headed child and even now people will still say I am a bit difficult. I started working in the entertainment industry at a very young age. At 13, I was stealing the music equipment and speakers at home to go play house parties and such. This would always end up with a beating from my parents. But my stepfather was a big help when I was young because he helped me out when I did not have the funds.

DJ Owen was one of my inspirations. Back then he was playing at Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay and I followed in his footsteps.

After NYS, I never got around to attending Polytechnic because I had already secured employment during the holiday period at Mason’s Travel as a boat boy and I was playing at Flamboyant. When I saw that I was financially stable, I chose to opt out of my Art and Design course. It made more sense to keep making money instead of going back to school.

Looking back, I realise that I lost out by not going to school because everything nowadays is easier with qualifications and education, but I have not let that deter me. I have had to build on my skills and learn a lot through personal experience. Perseverance has been the key.

Seychelles NATION: So what does your job as a technician involve?

Nourice: I am one of the only few people in Seychelles who do both sounds and lights. It is tasking as well as expensive to do both at the same time. I also try to help out artists and attempt to keep my services affordable, I can offer various packages. I’ve been the tech guy for a lot of concerts in Seychelles for local and international artists. I have done concerts for the Slaves band, Joseph Sinon, Elijah and a bunch of others.

Lights at a concert is not just that ‒ it’s art and very important to the ambience. Going to a musical show without the proper sounds will not be a real concert ‒ people would go home feeling disappointed. So, I make sure that the standard for light and sounds remains elevated.

Seychelles NATION: How has the pandemic impacted on your livelihood?

Nourice: It has severely affected my business. The music industry has suffered a lot and we cannot organise any concert. We are not moving forward at all; in fact we have been left in the dust. The worst part is that when my electronic equipment are not being used frequently, they start getting affected. Musical bands and such have a slight advantage because they can do some small jobs here and there but my line of work is different. I’m often hired as the sound and light tech for numerous national events such as Festival Kreol, official launchings and so on, and as you know all of these have come to a halt during this year.

To make up for this, I have been doing some maintenance work for nightclubs, some other odd jobs and I rent out some of my equipment.

Seychelles NATION: What about challenges?

Nourice: There are a lot of challenges with this job. I have to do almost everything myself; I’m the driver, I repair the equipment at times and do all of the other things.

I work with a lot of people ‒ some of whom are honest and genuine and others not so much. This is why I am reticent in accepting other people’s help. I like working on my own, especially since I can be stubborn and like to see things achieved in a particular way ‒ my way. It’s not easy to get honest people to apprentice. This job is very demanding so there is no space for distraction. I receive help from others sure, but I never go into any partnership because I have experienced occasions in which people have taken advantage of others.

Seychelles NATION: How does your work affect family life?

Nourice: “I have a son, 4, and daughter, 16. My son shows great interest in what I do, he loves music. But it’s really challenging, sometimes you have to forget about your family life when you have a concert. If a concert is scheduled for a Friday, I have to start setting up on Tuesday and have to be vigilant to make sure that no one steals my stuff. I have to tests the lights out at night so I reach home late in the evening. After the show, it takes 2-3 days to pack up all of your equipment.

Seychelles NATION: Any message for the youths?

Nourice: Right now, I do not see many youths interested in sounds and lights and we need the future generation to get involved. It’s a little bit scary because in the end we might see foreigners picking up this line of work.

Interview by Elsie Pointe