by martina rexrode
photo by lucía olmos
With an exciting, funky debut single released just last month, Latin band DARUMAS is already dropping their debut self-titled album. The band is composed of three members — Aldana, Ceci, and Vedala — each with their own unique musical and personal backgrounds that create a perfect blend of the three women’s influences. Their debut album comes at a time when women have already been dominating the music industry in all sectors with new releases, so a brand new voice like theirs is more than welcome.
Congratulations on your debut single! What made you choose “Daruma” as your first release? How does this single introduce listeners to the band?
DARUMAS: “‘Daruma’ is a song that perfectly introduces the band because it has a funky pop sound with something old school and that also greatly marks the DARUMAS sound. ‘Daruma’ is a letter of presentation of what DARUMAS is and that is why we chose it as our first song since it also has that touch of freshness and a lot of funkiness.”
Can you tell us a little about the meaning behind the lyrics?
DARUMAS: “The lyrics are based on making a wish to the Daruma doll from Japan, which is an amulet which comes without eyes. You set a goal and you draw one eye (the left one) and when that goal is fulfilled you draw the other eye. Basically it motivates you to meet your goals and to be persistent in what you set out to do.”
Who are some of your main musical inspirations, both individually and collectively?
DARUMAS: “Michael Jackson, Al Green, Robert Glasper, N.E.R.D, y también Luis Alberto Spinetta, Djavan. Lauryn Hill, Dinah Washington, Tracy Chapman, Bruno Mars, Nathy Peluso etc.”
The three of you come from different parts of the world with different musical roots. How easy or difficult was it to come together as a band and find a sound that blended those roots together?
DARUMAS: “In fact it has been very easy and enriching, since the three of us have very similar musical tastes and at the same time the different culture of each one adds a perfect mix that gives us something I think is unique. It was not at all difficult to connect between the three of us since we clicked from the first time we saw each other, we shared musical tastes among other things.”
How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never listened to your music?
DARUMAS: “We have an organic, funky pop sound with old school elements and very prominent bass lines. They are very happy songs musically, which have a lot of funk pop sounds.”
Following this single, you have released your debut album! Which part of this release are you most excited for?
DARUMAS: “We are very excited that you can listen to the entire album so that we can finish showing you the different nuances that we have with DARUMAS, always following the same line and sound but in different ways in each song.”
What are some of your biggest goals for your future as a band?
DARUMAS: “To leave a mark on music and open paths. Being able to connect and also make history in the music industry by leaving a mark.”
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about the single or anything you’d like to make our readers aware of?
DARUMAS: “We are musicians making music, wanting to bring freshness and something new to the current Latin music scene. DARUMAS is coming to make you happy.”