Somemembers of La3no Cubano. (source: Courtesy ofKCDunaj)
THE SLOVAK band La3no Cubano has been playing since 2003 in various line-ups, various styles and using an innovative approach to music. The band members themselves state that they have played about 1,000 gigs in various places, with the band varying in size from a mere duo to a 12-member orchestra. This multi-genre Slovak band started as a free grouping of percussionists who tried Cuban and Latin rhythms first, but then added African, Oriental, Balkan, Gypsy, drum 'n' bass and funk influences. Its combination of instruments has changed in the course of time, too, and the current band includes some typical Slovak instruments.
On January 21, 2012, La3no Cubano launched their first album, Rodina / Family, and the launch – including a typical Slovak ritual known as ‘baptism’ – was true to the name of album: it included several former band members, a lot of different songs, and a slightly chaotic and free mood which infected the audience at the KC Dunaj culture hub as well. The event included a press conference, percussion show, video screening and more.
“This CD is the result of what we have learned in all these years, what we came to know. Apart from concerts and rehearsals, we make trips to cottages together, go camping, on holidays or just hiking; we celebrate together birthdays, weddings, New Year’s Eve; our parents meet at our concerts, we help each other with gardening and moving flats: thus the title Family / Rodina,” the band stated in a press release. But don’t be fooled by these words – music is still at the very heart of this group and the strange cocktail of world music with a Slovak flair (sometimes more one than the other) makes its sound quite distinctive.
