It’s with great anticipation, mixed with a slight fear about how little sleep I’m gonna get, that I come to Snowbombing. Where else do you see a constant party of quality acts for 5 days!!!
Having done the festival for 8 years now, this year was no exception. Although we had to leave on Thursday, there was still some intensely heavyweight acts from David Rodigan, Norman Jay, Miss Dynamite, DJ EZ, Toddla T to the house antics of Kerri Chandler, Deetron, Maceo Plex and Seth Troxler. Simply amazing!! Thanks to all the team who put this festival together – the Outgoing Crew, the Coast2Coast security guys, the locals, all the regulars and new friends I made. Always a pleasure!!
“Right, so it’s snowed, which is great for all of 20 minutes until you realise you can’t get any where and (if you’re me) remember that you’re the idiot who falls over in front of a bus load of people. So thank God for The Cuban Brothers who’ve brought a genuine dose of all consuming sunshine to our shores with the release of their debut album Yo Bonita. Hip hop and reggae tendencies meet over a relaxed drink in an authentic Havana bar and get on famously. Forthcoming single ‘Mike 4 President’ sizzles with the vibrancy of chiming bells and a Latin rhythm, while ‘Ohms’ , featuring Omar, introduces itself with a combination of traditional sounding bongos and a shamelessly whirring bass sound. KT Turnstall and Tenor Fly are not two names you expect to see next to each other on an album, but on Yo Bonita the two tracks slot in next to each other perfectly. Oh, and there’s a cracking cover of Motorhead’s ‘Ace Of Spades’ on there as well. Everything on this album works together wonderfully, no mater what musical characteristics an individual track might comprise, there is an over-arching personality to the record that holds everything together with a genuine and sincere warmth and vitality. Without question this is one of the best new releases to come our way in 2013, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if 10 or 11 months from now we’re still talking about this record as one of the best of the year.”
“The Cuban Brothers – Yo Bonita: The debut album from this trio lives up to everything their name promises. Havana-infused latin grooves meet stonking hip hop beats and reggae shuffles with guest appearance from people as diverse as KT Turnstall and Tenor Fly. This is an album that glows with the vibrancy of its country of origin, something to truly brighten up your January. There’s also a fantastic cover of ‘Ace Of Spades’ on there.”
Gigwise have voted “Yo Bonita” as one of their favourite albums so far. Good on us, good on them, good on everybody!
We return to Mayrhofen where we have been coming for 10 years, whether it’s the Brits or the Snowbombing parties – this time in January! The vibe was on and we had a blast alongside DJ Stocky – resident at the Arena for 35 years! A true music legend who’s been in the business since 15 years old (yes, he’s 50 years old and still SMASHING it).
Thank you to Eric, Manuel, Manfred and family at Mannis for their hospitality and for Mario at the Seeker for sorting us out with EVERYTHING (you know what I mean). Big shout out to the Strass crew and everyone for getting naked in the spa. Thank you, it’s a nice feeling.
It’s only apt that as the best dressed counts in the industry that we should be invited by Berlin Fashion Week to host the afterparty for 10 years of Premium – the trade show of truth.
Held in a venue that is part of the subway (or U-Bahn as they say in Berlin) station the venue had an open bar til close (I left at 5am and it was still going). Only in Berlin!!! Thanks to Anita and crew for inviting us! We had a blast!
Mike for President video being played on repeat on a 10m screen! Hola Macau!
What a year 2012 was. Having sold out Jazz Cafe twice (thank you everyone for the support – we were emotional after the show), some very great festivals and working with amazing people, we ended the year, and welcomed 2013 with an Australasian Tour. It was great to return to the Falls Festival in Lorne and Tasmania as well as our favourite Melbourne institution Espy. We counted down the midnight on NYE with the boys from Funk Club (thank you Jimmy and crew!) which was a great vibe and the aptly named Cuban club hosted us for an afternoon/evening New Year’s Day Jam. An awesome party with great people. Thanks Mike and crew for inviting us down.
After an evening with Pacha at the Ivy Pool, we headed out for Bangkok to play at Bed – one of our favourites. Second last stop was Hong Kong’s Socialito bar putting on the first live PA. Thanks to Buzz crew, Benedict and Francisco! Last but not least was Macau’s super club Cubic. Shout outs to Jason and Alan for inviting us! Big thanks to Stuart from Ministry of Sound for looking after us on our Aussie leg and Chris Atherton of Champion Sound (happy birthday) for the Asian leg. Thanking vous, thanking vous!
In true Cubano style to celebrate the upcoming album of truth by yours truly, The Cuban Brothers present The CB’s – Yo Bonita! we present to you friends, something very special!
Some of our very talented friends have remixed tunes for us that we would like to share with YOU, right here, right now! So check out the remixes including our latest single Mike 4 President by Doorly, Mr A Skillz and Erb n Dub for your fix before the album drops!
Once again we have another Bestival under our belt. Now in its 9th year – meaning it’s also our 9th Bestival – this year’s monster headlines were Florence and the Machine, New Order and Stevie Wonder.
We were blessed with sunshine for our slot straight after Sister Sledge and made for a HOT show! Miguelito was recovering from a dance injury so was brought onto stage on a throne by 6 men in kilts.
The audience was big (always great), smiling (amazing) and up for the party (the best).
Opening with some tracks from the album, we were joined half way through the set by one of our favourite singers of all time, Omar. After a rendition of “Ohms” a track featuring Omar on the chorus, he blessed us with a performance of “There’s nothing like this”.
The set came to a climax with a breakdance performance from Miguel’s Habanero School of Performing Arts.
Right from the beginning to the fireworks after Stevie Wonder on Sunday, all I experienced was good vibes – people helping, looking out for each other, being polite, and smiling all the way through. That’s what makes Bestival such a pleasure to do every year!
Many of you have asked us if we are doing something for the Olympics. We have had to keep it under our hats until now but YES WE ARE!!!!
We have been chosen to be the goodwill ambassadors along with such people as Daniel Craig so everyday in the arenas, you will see us on the screens welcoming you and getting up to our nonsense to provide you with some light entertainment. See you all there!
It’s that time of the year again for a good ol’knees up in Dorset!
The Cuban Brothers’ CBs experience will be happening on the Main Stage at 9pm! Don’t miss this!
Also check the Barry Peters doing a special Bazlympics on the main stage from 1540 on Saturday. See you all there! Hi De Hi!!!
