Cuban Irish artist Qbanaa plays the Jameson Circle Stage at the All Together Now festival in Waterford this weekend and has released her new single, Best Time (Cuba Version). We asked her the BIG questions . . .
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Her new track was created in her grandparents' garden/roof in Guaos, Cienfuegos in Cuba last January, with her vocals recorded under a blanket of towels and features a trumpet and guitar donated by Irish cinematographer JP Quill to the Havana jazz school Conservatory of Amadeo Roldan.
"I spend all my time trying to be this perfect artist," Qbanaa says. "In an industry where you feel like you have to strive for that to break through the noise.
"But some element was missing from this sonically perfect Latin pop track we created - I realised I was missing the imperfections, the rawness that were in an original that told the story of how we made it on my abuela's rooftop and garden.
"Listening to this version makes me feel at home and I don’t feel that very often. I want to share that story, that piece of me with people".
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a passport baby. I am a maximalist when it comes to everything, the more the better. I thought I was gay until I met my boo.
How would you describe your music?
Honest. From real experiences and fantasies. Usually starts as a poem and ends in a song. Sonically I think last year it was way harder to pinpoint what my music is like, because it was my first year trying different things and being scared of trying the stuff I thought I wasn’t ready or capable of. This year I’m blending all of my musical influences from last year into one cohesive sound. Latin pop, neo soul and r `n’ b.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Erykah Badu, Hiatus Kaiyote, Doja Cat, Kali Uchis, Anastacia, Bel Cobain.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Jonas Brothers.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Evanescence - Fallen.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Best Time by Qbanaa.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I have two depending on my mood. "I could call your demons inside, soak them in chamomile" - Breathing Underwater by Hiatus Kaiyote. "Prolly give this ass a panic attack" - Need to Know by Doja Cat,
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Anastacia - Left Outside Alone or Balut by Doja Cat.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Mainly on Instagram and Spotify @qbanaa for both, for unhinged content. It’s the same handle but on TikTok. Besos, Q xx
Alan Corr
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