Julian Russell is a Rake-and-Scrape musician with his own band and the owner of Da Smoke Pot, which serves traditional Bahamian food. Julian and his band performed for us, using traditional Rake-and-Scrape instruments: saws, screwdrivers, drums, guitar, and other miscellaneous objects. Julian gave us all the chance to play the saw with the screwdriver.
Julian is a second-generation Cat Islander who returned to the island at age 15 after his parents sought better opportunities in Nassau. Adapting to the island’s less developed conditions, he witnessed significant challenges, including delayed electrification until 1992 and the island’s struggles with political and class issues that hindered development and equality. Despite these challenges, Julian is optimistic about the younger generation’s ability to preserve Cat Island’s traditions and culture. He believes in adapting and working collectively to improve the island’s infrastructure while preserving its cultural identity. He encourages a flexible, adaptive approach to life, emphasizing the importance of “going with the flow.”