The B side of Cuban music

A gray blanket was spreading over the city; the threat of the tropic summer rain did not prevent us from witnessing the diverse and fresh colors of Cuban music. The corner of Teniente Rey and Villegas, in Old Havana, was getting ready to witness a new experience in the musical panorama of the island.

Inside La Carpintería everything was ready: on the stage, instruments waiting to be played; the space was illuminated with a warm pink color that created a somewhat mysterious and intimate atmosphere. Little by little people were arriving, sharing conversations and smiles while waiting for the presentation of Bonus Track, a platform created to promote emerging artists. The first selected artists would perform tonight for the audience: EIDI, Ana Monier, Lachy Torriente, Melanie Santiler and LVSS!

The ship took off with EIDI, a rapper who from his own philosophy observes and questions the world around him, and reflects on his role as a social being from different perspectives. His presentation began with the aggressiveness of an anti-hero, and traveled through the spectrum of hip hop to become a healing and sensitive being who gives flowers to those who listen to him. He was joined by Marcos Ferrer on the keyboard and Lose My Name on the machines, and then incorporated ChikSoul's Africa, who with her voice creates the ethereal melodies that envelop some of the songs on the rapper's most recent EP, See you at 4:20. EIDI enjoyed his show to the fullest, connecting with the audience and expressing in every moment the good vibes he breathed from the stage.

Eidi's concert at the launch of the Bonus Track platform, in La Carpinteria, Havana, on June 28, 2024. Photo: Danielle Haley / Courtesy of Bonus Track.

"Bonus Track gives me the opportunity to make myself known, to present my music to a wider and more varied audience, and to access places, sectors and audiences that I would not otherwise be able to reach," said the artist.

Ana Monier was next, with her blend of neo soul and Cuban clave. The performance He started with his violin on his back and an incredible band formed by Pipo, from Sintergia Jazz Colective, on the piano; Luis Ernesto on the drumsJoel del Río on bass and Marian Rodríguez on backing vocals. Ana dominated the stage between dances, smiles and choruses that were trapped in the audience who, on occasion, she invited to sing and be part of her band. Melanie Lavastida was her guest at Your HairdresserThe way their voices intertwined was mind-blowing, like silk fibers weaving a declaration of love to the rhythm of jazzy chachachá. At times, her arm turned into a violin and I could tell from the attentive looks that they were the audience's favorite. The artist was sensual, with the voice of a powerful and sensitive woman.

Concert by Ana Monier at the launch of the Bonus Track platform, in La Carpinteria, Havana, on June 28, 2024. Photo: Danielle Haley / Courtesy of Bonus Track.

At the center of the stage, Lachy Torriente hypnotizes. As a speaker he is a bit shy, but he does not need the word, his trumpet speaks for him; with it he transforms the air into poetry, and his fingers on the pistons are the grammar that gives shape and life to the fabric. In a quartet format with piano, drumsThe band, bass and trumpet leading the session -but leaving room for the brilliance of the rest of the instruments-, performed their EP Black Sonataand took us along the path of a jazz that goes from introspection to ecstasy, and vice versa. JúbiloThe last song of the EP, was one of the most joyful moments of the night, which as a kind of call to fight, made the whole La Carpintería dance, connecting in a divine way with the audience.

Concert by Lachy Torriente at the launch of the Bonus Track platform, in La Carpinteria, Havana, on June 28, 2024. Photo: Danielle Haley / Courtesy of Bonus Track.

Melanie Santiler closed the part corresponding to the performers of this evening. Mami fina" has a shorter musical career than the rest; however, it seems that she has already found the role she wants to play. With an aesthetic that centennials would call coquetteShe appears fragile like a porcelain doll, an appearance that defies with the power of her spirit. She combines some of her songs with covers of artists such as Wampi and Bad Bunny, sung with equal intensity, an ardent tone that turns into joy for the audience when he says with all his strength that "the good girl likes the bad guy".. 

Concert by Melanie Santiler at the launch of the Bonus Track platform, in La Carpinteria, Havana, on June 28, 2024. Photo: Danielle Haley / Courtesy of Bonus Track.

Cast occupies a wide space in today's Cuban culture, its sound floods the streets, bars, cafes -practically anywhere-, and remains outside these circuits, starring alternative music; but Bonus Track does not discriminate, for this reason and because among its objectives is also to promote DJ, presents LVSS!!!. This young DJ enjoys mixing the cast with electronic sounds. Unfortunately this time he was not able to take the genre out of his comfort zone as expected; technical problems plagued his presentation. However, he did leave some room for perreo.

Presentation of LVSS!!! at the launch of the Bonus Track platform, in La Carpinteria, Havana, on June 28, 2024. Photo: Danielle Haley / Courtesy of Bonus Track.

Those who gathered at La Carpintería that day not only enjoyed each one of the performances, but remained faithful and curious about these talented young people, friends to some and unknown to others. We all witnessed new faces that, along with many more, could become the soundtrack of an entire generation. In this way, the platform works as a key piece for Cuban music lovers, an attempt to make flourish those who work but, for reasons beyond their control, do not manage to reach -yet- the desired repercussion.

Bonus Track is also, in a way, a microphone that amplifies the voices of young people who make art from the heart, and therefore brings together artists of different styles and dissolves existing barriers in today's young audience. Its objective is to foster a genuine encounter between artists and spectators beyond social networks -where activity seems to be more fruitful-, and to move these musicians from the virtual world to reality, towards a tangible and enriching experience.

Eidi's concert at the launch of the Bonus Track platform, in La Carpinteria, Havana, on June 28, 2024. Photo: Danielle Haley / Courtesy of Bonus Track.

Concert by Ana Monier at the launch of the Bonus Track platform, in La Carpinteria, Havana, on June 28, 2024. Photo: Danielle Haley / Courtesy of Bonus Track.