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Cubaneros is a Greek-Cuban musical partnership between Panos Panagopoulos, Anaisa Vega Castillo and Indhira Xiques. They were formed in 2015 and one year later they conquered the world with the salsa cover of LP‘s smash-hit, “Lost On You”, literally crashing the YouTube views-counter. Since then, they have released a number of independent singles and they have thrown countless live performances that have put them up on game for good!

But who are Cubaneros? How were they formed and what does their name mean? Their members spoke exclusively to SounDarts.gr about their future plans, the situation in Greece -in Cuba as well- and they revealed their influences and their dreams for the future of their band!

Read everything in the interview below!

How did you meet and how did you take the decision to create Cubaneros?

The Cubaneros are the result of a dark conspiracy, voodoo rituals, fate games, intrigues and many more that I can’t reveal here …

What is the story behind the choice of your name?

Our name originally came without much thought when we tried to name our common Facebook conversation through which we arranged rehearsals, etc. When it was time to decide the name of the band, we agreed that Cubaneros was ideal for a Greek-Cuban band, because, apart from its very meaning, it contains the word “Cuban”, but also the Greek word “Eros”!

You are definitely a very special band for the Greek standards. Why did you choose this musical genre?

It was not a matter of choice, but the natural outcome of having two Cuban singers in your band.

Anaisa and Indhira what was the reason for you to come to Greece?

Love, of course!

What do you miss the most about your birthplace, Cuba? Do you visit Cuba oftenly?

More than anything, we are missing our family and all the beloved ones we left behind on the other side of the Atlantic. We also miss the special way we have fun in Cuba. Although the Greeks are also a very open-hearted and party people, there are times that we miss the improvised spontaneity that characterizes the Cuban way of entertainment.
Unfortunately, we do not visit Cuba as often as we want to.

Who are the Cuban artists who are inspiring for you?

Our most classic influences are: Omara Portuondo, La Lupe, Los Van Van, Celia Cruz, Pablo Milanés. As far as modern artists are concerned, we like: Haydée Milanés, Leoni Torres, Descemer Bueno, Habana at Primera

Obviously you must be inspired by artists from other musical genres as well, keeping in mind that you are choosing big pop hits that you cover in salsa style. Who would you like to work with if you were given the opportunity?

Two artists we appreciate a lot and that we think that we would be aesthetically pleasing to are Leoni Torres and Mark Anthony.

You recently released your cover version of “Would I Lie”, and you became more widely known with the cover of “Lost On You”. Are you a cover-band after all?

The truth is that covers are a relatively easy solution that can lead to more rapid recognition. However, we always try to keep our own arrangements and transform the songs in an original and interesting way. But Cubaneros is more than a cover band. There are already released, some of our own songs on the internet, they’re just not as well known as our covers. We are currently in a very creative period while we write and record exclusively our own songs. A first taste will be released during this summer.

Anaisa and Indhira, both Cuba and Greece, have suffered several socio-political difficulties. How do you feel about this?

Each country has its social challenges and its policies of injustice. But the real “crisis” lies in our minds, where also lies the starting point for dealing with the problem.

 Could these issues affect the music of Cubaneros?

We can’t rule it out. There is no such thing in our plans, but if inspiration demands it, then it will.

What is your biggest dream for the future of Cubaneros?

To travel the world by playing our music!

What is your moto?

“Cubaneros- La maquina del ritmo”!

Interview: Theodore Kolliopoulos

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