The Carnival Ref. The best job on the planet.

Man vs Carnival. Andre Choo Quan as the Carnival Ref.

Let's start from the beginning. How did you end up doing this ‘carnival business’? What exactly is your job?

Trini Jungle Juice (also commonly referred to as TJJ) all started off as a hobby back in college in Connecticut, when it was my personal website without a proper URL hosted by one of those make a website in minutes companies. My website was called “Jungle Juice”, named after a party we did in Trinidad years before. I always loved the name and the logo. The site documented my travels around the world, which of course included the greatest show in the world... Trinidad & Tobago carnival; a trusty Canon Powershot point and shoot camera was my best friend. Fast forward a few years, I’m working full time as an IT Specialist with IBM in Atlanta, but working part time (seem like another full time job) on Jungle Juice. Around 2002/2003, when I came to realization that the world was actually paying attention to my lil’ project (the beauty of web statistics), it was time to take things to the next level – register my own domain and get an official URL.

JungleJuice.com ... TAKEN! Rats!! What next? Then my American friend Julius said, “Why not Trini Jungle Juice, after all you are a TRINI!” and in 2003, TriniJungleJuice.com was official. Our mission was simple - to be the 1st Caribbean entertainment website to take our viewers Global, reaching Caribbean and International communities across the world. Yes there were already established Caribbean websites like Toronto Lime and Trini Scene at the time, BUT they specifically focused on their local markets. This is where TJJ broke the mold; an accomplishment we are quite proud of, especially when others are following our trend. Beside event photography TJJ focuses heavily on video coverage of carnivals. Between 2004-2006 when I was based in Toronto I found that a lot of people were aware of the popular Soca and Reggae songs, no context of the artists singing them. That is when a little JVC camcorder joined my arsenal. It felt great to promote our local artistes and their music, and to showcase what transpires behind the scenes and below the surface of fetes, pretty costumes and carnival.

Five years later in 2008, I left corporate America to pursue my dream full time. It was at the point when I decided it was best for TJJ to specialize in Carnival after establishing ourselves in every major city we targeted across the globe. We then achieved yet another ‘First’ in our market; becoming the 1st Caribbean website to have our own television production – "You, TJJ and Carnival” in 2009. The show airs locally in Trinidad & Tobago with past seasons airing throughout the Caribbean and in the US (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut).

When I look back today where it started, sometimes I don’t believe how far the website (and myself as a person) has grown.

How many carnivals have you been to? Did u ever check how much time in a year you spend at carnivals?

I’ve been to around 20 different carnivals from what I can recall. Honestly, I believe there’s a carnival happening somewhere around the world most weekends. My season usually starts in January with Trinidad Carnival and ends in October with Miami Carnival, spending roughly 4 months at carnivals a year.

For many this is dream job, tell us honestly what are the downfalls? Personally I hate packing and traveling, but once I’m at the destination I love it. If I could grab my phone, camera and laptop get on a plane and see my luggage waiting at hotel when I arrive I would be a happy camper.

Carnival can be exhausting with all the fetes and parade. How do you feel each time?

It’s a game I like to call “Man vs. Carnival” You win some, you lose some. A short Trinidad Carnival season (4-6 weeks) is the most intense and usually leaves me sick in bed for a week sometime after. But as the saying goes, “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” It’s a game of stamina and serious ‘Carnivalliers’ (I might have just created a new word) train and diet for months before. Being in shape will not only get you to the finish line, but have you looking great in your carnival costume too!

What is carnival for you? Is it more of a job or fun?

They say if you love what you do, you feel as if never work a day in your life. I think this isn’t 100% true. I absolutely love what I do, but at times I feel like I’m working 24/7 and need a break. It’s funny, as everyone tells me off when I take a vacation to some exotic destination following a carnival. But they don’t realize that while they are drinking, partying and have a ball... I’m right there with them! Not only doing the same - drinking, partying... and yes, wining BUT I’m also working. This part of the job never feels like work. The work comes before with the planning and after when we have to process and showcase the respective carnivals.

What is the part of carnival that impresses you or makes you excited each time? What are you tired of?

I’m always impressed by the preparations for carnival by the mas bands, soca artistes and promoters. As soon as one carnival is over, they start planning for the next year. Unfortunately Trini Jungle Juice doesn’t have that luxury, as it’s on to the next carnival for us. Band launch season always excites me... you can feel the spirit of carnival coming. I also love the feeling of reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones. I’ve met some of my best friends at the different carnivals I attend. Now, what I do get tired of... soca artistes and bands doing the same exact performance all season (or all year in some cases). In this day and age, partygoers should never know what to expect entertainment wise. I’m not asking for bands to rework their entire set, but mix it up in subtle ways for the very least.

You have been doing this for a while now. How did carnivals change over the years?

It’s gotten a lot more expensive – both parties and playing mas. But I also believe the level of service and quality has also gone up. Women’s costumes have also gotten skimpier and skimpier!! But heh, “Less is MORE!” Entertainment wise, there are more musical groups/bands that perform primarily their own music. Yes, you still have a couple cross over bands doing covers, but personally this is dying breed. One must establish and grow their own music and brand identity to stay relevant and competitive. You don’t go to a Jay-Z concert to hear him sing Bob Marley’s songs! Also, most partygoers don’t want to be told what to do by entertainers at events. The days for “move to the left, move to the right” and “hands up, hands down” are gone. We simply want artistes to perform and entertain us.

Let's say you have a daughter or maybe two of them, would you let them play carnival and at what age if yes. Would you follow them around to see what's happening?

Yes of course. I believe 16-17 years old is a good age to start with adult supervision. It’s nice to see parents have their kids play adult mas with them when in their later teenager years. I would do the same. Carnival hands down is one of the best social mechanisms and I also like the idea of Kiddies carnival to get the young generation started. However, parents shouldn’t force their kids into it if it doesn’t appeal to them. One pet peeve of mine is seeing young children dancing and wining like adults, I believe carnival should be fun and innocent at this age.

5 absolutely not to do things during carnival.

- Don’t oversleep. Especially before Breakfast Parties or J’Ouvert

- If you don't drink, Carnival is NOT the place to start.

- Don’t wear tight shoes, unless losing a toe nail is okay

- Never walk around with a thick wad of money

- Don’t NOT play Mas

Full spread featured in Bassculture Islands no 3.