Nuts! Whole hazel nuts!

On November 8, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, London, Parties, The Cuban Brothers, UncategorizedLeave a comment

We like a charity do in aid of encouraging people to be creative, particularly the youngest amongst us in inner London who might otherwise use their energies in less productive ways.

The launch of H Fest to support such an initiative at The Hospital Club was just such an event. An indoor festival spread over six floors in this handsome red brick building welcomed us on a warm November night. “It reminds me of a McCann Christmas party in the garage” Rach said as we dropped our coats off. There was indeed a whiff of the 90’s about it.

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An Aquamarine Dream

On July 26, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, Music, The Cuban BrothersLeave a comment

“I think they were the best I’ve ever seen them tonight” E shouted as we dashed through a force ten gale following The Cuban Brothers’ gig at The Shuck, Whitstable.

Soaked through we arrived at the car. I shook raindrops from my hair and shut the door quickly. “I may have to agree, and Lord knows I’ve seen them enough times: I can only put it down to the new aquamarine suit and the hometown combo.” I replied.

Ah, aquamarine, my favourite colour and when worn by one of the inimitable Cubans – local to this part of the woods – a tough act to follow.

We’d arrived at 8pm, out of town hours, earlier than usual. “Everything’s usually winding down by 11pm here” said my Whitstablian friend E. “I reckon they’ll be on at 8.30pm.” “9” I wagered.

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Christmas craic: Mince pies in Soho

On December 18, 2014July 26, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Art, Entertainment, Life, London, People you may have heard of, The Cuban BrothersLeave a comment

Christmas takes you where Christmas takes you. On a warm Wednesday afternoon with shin splints – to Soho as it happens.

Starting off with a gingerbread latte in S’bucks, Vigo Street, I had my work cut out for me: Amongst other things I’d committed to popping in to see Los Hermanos Cubanos at Soho Radio with a few mince pies.

Four bearded men welcomed me and offered me another coffee on the house. Everyone was in red.

I ventured into the studio and offered my wares. Miguel was on the mic “Thanks for the mince pies S, but I cannot do them, the raisins they play havoc with my stomach. I think it’s a raisin inside – no?”

Kenny had two, Archie – one, Brent declined. I felt they were going down well.

“Get in touch with Bibi!” Brent called after me as I exited to Chopper’s hilarious monologue.

The record store I’ve intended to go to for aaaaaaaages beckoned. Sounds of the Universe is pure disco. I chatted to Neil. “I need something along the lines of Vince Montana – you know ‘Love is the Message’ or Raw Silk – that kind of thing.” He pulled a CD out for me as I proffered a pie. He took a bite: “Mmmm, nice.”

A pit stop at a Swedish gentleman’s outfitters provided the venue to change shoes, and Sam – the conversation. Trying to get into the music industry as a producer was tough at 25 he told me; ‘This city is hard, but I keep chipping away to manifest my own destiny’. “Tell me about it” I said and took out the goodies. His eyes lit up on spotting the Christmas vittles as I held out the tupperware.

Riflemaker bid my time before drinks. I chatted to Darren and Ian about the art on the walls. Welsh Ian talked ferries to Ireland, I talked about the craic. Darren told me he was an artist and interested in the process – what got someone to put the marks on the page that they did? Speaking of that I must crack on I said, snapping a pic of one of Josephine King’s gripping paintings.

The Campari bar at Polpo was my final stop. Ivan the bartender told me about the drink that seems so right in Italy. He mixed us a cocktail, we raised our glasses – cherry red with a splash of Prosecco, all Christmassy. “Hold on a second” I said, “I’ve got something here might go quite nicely with this.”

Favourite disco instrumental ever – sublime: http://bit.ly/13C1EhG

A journey back in time

On November 21, 2014July 26, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, Music, People you may have heard of, The Cuban BrothersLeave a comment

Apparently some people count sheep to help them get to sleep (really?) but the other night found me counting the number of times I’ve seen The Cuban Brothers before dozing off.

I could add up H&M designer collaborations I’d attended I suppose, but that would probably only go to five or six. Los Hermanos Cubanos however are a different matter.

“You must have seen them at least 20 times!” Van exclaimed over a pre-birthday dinner in South London. “No way!” I replied. “The first time was a Sunday Best party at S’Estanyol beach in Ibiza in 2004. Since then maybe once a year?” “Rubbish! I don’t believe you” she said.

A smokily scented night in Brixton, November 2014: Less threatening coming out of the tube, someone even brushed past me and said: ‘Sorry.’ More Starbucks than Iceland – although I was pleased to see Iceland still had prime position on the high street next to ‘King of Trainers’. “Let’s go to the Village” Foxy said. “It’s all chi chi – kind of one up from street food.”

Three souped up jalopies drove slowly by – the heavy booming of the bass so loud that the pavement vibrated. “That hasn’t changed – thank God” said Foxy.

The old market on Coldharbour lane now houses a myriad of cutesy restaurants, bars, hairdressers, vintage shops – all brimming over with gentrified Brixtonians.

We had a cocktail whilst inadvertently crashing someone’s 30th birthday party.

A lengthy queue to the venue for our evening’s entertainment had us surrounded by the usual plethora of beards and a lady regaling her companions with stories of the magnificence of Dorset. “Looks like a late one Foxy.” “Yeah, I reckon they won’t be on until 11.30pm tops.” “Nah, 11pm I’d say” I replied.

Several beer bucket challenges later we stood before the stage. It was 12.30pm. Kenny ‘the bastard’ was doing his stuff as Archerio and Miguel warmed up at the side of the stage.” Our new Japanese friends next to us were practically asleep. Eager twenty-somethings craned their necks to see more of Domenico. Miss Dorset pushed and shoved with elbows that denoted many a triumphant sale bargain.

I turned over in bed, closed my eyes and searched through the venues in my mind. The ICA, Carphone Warehouse Ball at Alexandra Palace, Bestival 2005 (or was it earlier?), Koko in Camden… I got to 15. I tried to find the 16th, I knew there was one, but I was sleepy. In the favoured expression of Miguel Mantovani It was time to just ‘allow it.’

*1st two photos from ‘Ibiza Spotlight’

New kid in town

On June 13, 2014July 26, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, People you may have heard of, The Cuban BrothersLeave a comment

T and I approached the venue. The music was thumping and I wondered if we were in the wrong place. The pictures of this beach club looked so nice – so sexy; lots of people lounging casually by the pool drinking buckets of champagne with the sun shining down upon them.

If Pinky was there he would have said ‘What fresh hell is this?’ as we walked in and tried to make our way through a seething mass of semi naked bodies. Never mind, we’re adventurous types and with one Caipiroska down we started to move to the music.

Kengo ‘the bastard’ as he’s fondly known, hopped on the decks and suddenly everyone woke up.

I looked at a tall sultry looking figure standing beside him. He seemed like the new boy, suited and booted, a little shy and slightly ill at ease – Domenico’s been around for a few months now, but I’d yet to witness him in the flesh as it were.

Miguel arrived. “Ocean Beach, Ibiza, it’s great to be here, the feeling is nice, the feeling is nice.” He walked up to a man tattooed from head to toe with a large beer in one hand, and pulled the free hand over to his crotch: “Hey! Security! Security!” he shouted in protest.

He turned to another group: “You from Birmingham? Lovely place. Before my porn career, I used to run a brothel there, I think maybe your mother worked for me. No, sorry, sorry, it was your grandmother!”

The dancing started. Archerio, a Dad for just 11 days now took to the floor with Kengo San as the new boy looked on. “There’s just something about him..” I said to T.

Miguel officially introduced Domenico. He somersaulted out to join them and then breakdanced in the most graceful manner I’d ever seen. Tall and lean with an incongruous sort of Made in Chelsea look, his body seemed to be made of rubber.

After the performance I asked Archerio where they’d met him. “At a dance off” he replied. “We were so impressed we asked him to join us. He’s only 19! He does this amazing thing with his legs where he makes them a dead weight and then just spins around.”

I turned to Domenico. “So, is this your day job now?” “Well, I’m in a band as well; we don’t have a name yet, but we will – look out for me.”

We will Domenico, we will – and we like how you fit.