Cuba
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Cuba

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"Cuba 'Sounds Like A Story" Album Review"

Despite the common trend to become one of the many new pop-punk/emo groups, there are a few bands left to determine there is still music without screaming. Don't get me wrong, I love a good post-hardcore throw-down band, such as Emery, Dead of Winter, or Underoath. However, I also enjoy a good laid back band that's not in your face so much. When those moments of tranquility come over me, there are a variety of musical groups I could listen to. One of tese bands includes the local musicians known as Cuba.
To date, Cuba has been playing together for nearly seven months. As a very young band, I believe it's safe to say they have alot going for them.
Cuba began their journey as somewhat of an accident. Jon DaCosta was recording an album in the studio and asked Ryan Lammey to sit in on some tracks. The two seemed to click almost immediately and Lammey went on to play on almost every track. While searching for a drummer, they cam across Evan Amies, who fell right into place with the group. The Terre Haute locals debut CD, Sounds Like a Story, has brought the trio good fortune to date. The group has performed in various venues in the area, including the Verve, a bar that almost never fails to have great performers in its establishmen. Cuba was also fotunate enough to perform at the Midwest Music Summit. Their acheivements have even brought them a couple of articles. Cuba was featured on www.indianapolismusic.net as an "Artist of The Week" in July. Because o the article online, they were also featured in NUVO Newsweek Magazine.
Sounds Like a Story begins with an up-tempo combination of acoustic guitar, clean vocals, and harmonica that would make anyone want to follow the hand claps on the first track, "Helps To Know Someone Who Knows." Cuba has a very relaxing sound with influences that might be traceable to bluegrass. The listening becomes very engrossed in the music on this album because of the variations on their style. The trio has their fair share of dismal sounding songs, balancing out the jovial numbers. Cuba has the knowledge it takes to make a good record. This is not an album that runs one very specific genre into the ground. Nickelback would be a good example of their opposite. Sounds Like a Story explores the varioutions of their musical abilities and styling closely related to their folk sound.
The recording quality of their material sounds very clean in comparison to most local acts in the area. Cuba brings a mix of new and old to the table with very fold-oriented guitar, and also with their use of technology. DaCosta has a raspy blues voice that molds well with the blend of acoustics and electronics. All three members use a variety of electronic instruments and even aTV in their performances. The use of loops provides them with a wider range to perform their experimental repertoire while keeping the folk sound alive as well.
The track "Notice Me" comes across, at firstlike something you would listen to while driving on a rainy day. A few other tracks on Sounds Like a Story also resemble the road trip kind of music we have all been familiarized with. However, after listening to "Notice Me" again, it comes across as very dpressing, almost suicidal when you read or really listen to the lyrics. Overall, it is a very gloomy song, but it keeps the listener interested because it's a change in style. My favorite track on the record, " Marley's Song," explores yet another stlye Cuba can handle. While keeping the music in its folk setting, they bring forth a little bit of a reggae feel, which brings out a whole other side to the trio. I would be interested to hear how they would further expand the song had it been longer. However, the length of track eight leaves you wanting more. There is even a presence of hand drumming on congas instead of the traditional drum kit, which by itself brings a completely different feel to the song. I would also like to see if and how hey alter this song when they perform it live.
Cuba is currently at work recording new material with drummer Amies. I'm curous to see what he to bring to the table, since he was not a member until after the recording of their first album. They are also actively involved in booking shows. Cuba has performed at such events as the WISU Real Good Rock Fest on Wolf Field, The Terminal Tent during "The Walk," and their first television appearance - WTIU at Indiana University.
If you like the music of Jack Johnson, The Dave Mathews Band, or Blind Melon, Cuba is definately a group you should let your ears experience.
- IQ Magazine


""Our debut album is misleading.""

It isn’t always promising when a musician says “Our debut album is misleading.” For Cuba, it’s a signal of their evolution. Jon DaCosta (vocals, keys and guitars) says “The album is definitely a folk album. But when we play live the genres range from folk to funk and everything inbetween.”

Cuba is rounded out by bassist Ryan Lammey and drummer Evan Amies. DaCosta says “When I was in the studio recording an album I asked him to come in and help me out with some tracks. Long story short, he ended up playing on almost every track and I think we both knew that there seemed to be something there. So we agreed to release the album under the pseudonym/band name Cuba and immediately started the hunt for a drummer. Eventually, Evan kind of fell into our laps and it definitely clicked. The 3 of us have been playing together for about 3 months. But it seems like 3 years.”

DaCosta says the songwriting has become a collaborative process. “Recently, with some of the new songs we've been writing a lot of the music during practices and then try to get the lyrics later. Which is weird for me because a lot of times I have the lyrics before I write the music.” The show is also an interactive event. DaCosta says it includes “A little of everything. We like to pass out shakers and tambourines to the audience for them to play along on a couple songs. I think people have alot of fun at our shows.”

For having roots in folk music, Cuba’s music relies heavily on technology. “Both Ryan and I use samples to loop instruments live. I loop my vocals, keyboard, guitar and TVs. Ryan loops bass, Korg, and guitars. Evan, our drummer, plays on a half electronic half standard drum set. This gives us a wide range to be able to play the more electronic/experimental stuff we do while still keeping the folk sound in the sets.” Thus, it makes sense when DaCosta says the band “Has been compared to anyone from Bright Eyes to Radiohead.”

The band is getting ready to record more material with the addition of Amies, and DaCosta says they’re actively booking shows as well. You can see Cuba August 2nd at Birdy’s, August 6th at the Irving Theater, and August 10th as part of the Midwest Music Summit.

-- Ryan Williams --

- IndianapolisMusic.Net


Discography


'Sounds Like A Story' 2006
'Epilogue' 2007

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Bio

Indie folk rock funk jazz electronic country influences.......