Tuesday, 2nd January, 2007
Interview by Robert TuckerIndizoo was created out of a deep appreciation of the independent spirit. It is the energy that seems to curse a music artist to create and perform despite adversity, indifference, personal sacrifice and sometimes, despite all common sense.In this feature it’s time to turn on the flashlights, take a deep breath and plunge into the abyss of underground Cuba, “abajo la tierra en Cuba”! We speak with Guabo from Trespeso about the experience of underground musicians in Cuba. Indizoo welcomes the efforts of Trespeso Cuban Collectivo in bringing some incredible talent through a blockade of political ignorance and arrogance for the world to hear.Guabo is the only member of Trespeso who has a foreign passport and easy access to web and music technology and the world outside Cuba. INDIZOO: What is Trespeso? How did Trespeso get it’s start? What is your involvement? GUABO: It started as a hobby for me. I offered to build a website for one group and Trespeso happened as I contributed my skills to help and promote these musicians outside Santiago De Cuba. It is growing and exists as two parts. One is a collection of music talent mostly, but also dancers. We are 13 groups, 2 producers and many people who help out in a very Cuban way; who are closely tied to the artists & Santiago De Cuba’s hip hop & reggaeton community as a whole. The 2nd is the strategy of an evolving Music business & Indie label. (Trespeso Music) I say evolving because there are possibilities beginning to evolve in Cuba for Trespeso as we speak and the main objective outside of Cuba is to distribute the music internationally and in the USA, so apart from what I do in Cuba like produce videos, fund recordings, smuggle in audio equipment, etc., my main obligation is representing the music & creating commercial possibilities for the artists under the label Trespeso Music. I want to see them reap the rewards for their talent. You can give a man a fish or you can teach him to fish But, Trespeso is about all of us as a collective learning how to fish, if that makes sense. "...It is tragedy that the artists are so desperate." INDIZOO: What should the world know about 3P, what the artists struggle with to create their work? GUABO: I could mention hundreds of things and still have many more to tell! It is difficult for me to be outside Cuba and to know my friends are suffering every day just to survive. They struggle with lack of equipment, equipment failures and difficult living conditions and still they create incredible music! Trespeso artists are totally dedicated to their work and have done extraordinary things under mental and physical suffering to make it happen. INDIZOO: What kind of support do you get from the rest of the world? GUABO: I get much love from people on the internet sites like indizoo and myspace. People everywhere love the music and the video. People are amazed to find out about how much music is being created in underground Cuba. The videos help to let people see what is happening. INDIZOO: What is your most encouraging experience? GUABO: Many people have inspired me like Rick Savage from Digital Track Productions who has done some production for us. People like Robert Tucker at indizoo who show sincere interest and give us determination to continue. More than anything it has been the commitment of all the artists who do what they must to get the job done. People like Kiki, the best secret producer in Cuba, who sacrificed many, many hours under extreme conditions including equipment, technical and power failures as well as illness. People find it difficult to believe how such wonderful work was produced with so little. This last trip to Cuba was very special to me and to all of us. We know that Trespeso is to happen. "...If anyone wants to travel to Cuba contact me... We can make your trip very special." INDIZOO: What was most difficult experience for you? GUABO: The US and Cuban politics are very difficult. It is also a shame to see foreigners come to Cuba and buy 100% rights to own the music these artists work so hard to create for as little as $5 for complete works. It is tragedy that the artists are so desperate. INDIZOO: How can people help? GUABO: The best way is to encourage these artists. If anyone wants to travel to Cuba contact me (Guabo) by email. We can make your trip very special to participate with Trespeso. It will be much better than being a tourist. The biggest help we need is funding for the final production and securing some sort of distribution deal for Trespeso Music. INDIZOO: What are future plans for Trespeso? GUABO: Early 2006 before my return to Cuba, 3P Music will release a compilation CD and DVD duo entitled Buena Pistas Social Club (The Good Tracks Social Club) the aim is to move at least 5,000 units in the US, 50% of the of the revenue goes to the artists the other 50% goes to Trespeso Music to further the foundations of this movement in Cuba. Live Shows happen randomly in Santiago de Cuba but I believe eventually, one day, at least one Trespeso group will perform on foreign soil. Links to Trespeso: http://www.myspace.com/trespeso http://www.trespeso.com "A big thank you to indizoo for opening the door to the world for artists like us. Peace, Guabo"
INDIZOO: What is Trespeso? How did Trespeso get it’s start? What is your involvement?
GUABO: It started as a hobby for me. I offered to build a website for one group and Trespeso happened as I contributed my skills to help and promote these musicians outside Santiago De Cuba. It is growing and exists as two parts. One is a collection of music talent mostly, but also dancers. We are 13 groups, 2 producers and many people who help out in a very Cuban way; who are closely tied to the artists & Santiago De Cuba’s hip hop & reggaeton community as a whole.
"...It is tragedy that the artists are so desperate."
INDIZOO: What should the world know about 3P, what the artists struggle with to create their work?
GUABO: I could mention hundreds of things and still have many more to tell! It is difficult for me to be outside Cuba and to know my friends are suffering every day just to survive. They struggle with lack of equipment, equipment failures and difficult living conditions and still they create incredible music! Trespeso artists are totally dedicated to their work and have done extraordinary things under mental and physical suffering to make it happen. INDIZOO: What kind of support do you get from the rest of the world? GUABO: I get much love from people on the internet sites like indizoo and myspace. People everywhere love the music and the video. People are amazed to find out about how much music is being created in underground Cuba. The videos help to let people see what is happening.
INDIZOO: What is your most encouraging experience? GUABO: Many people have inspired me like Rick Savage from Digital Track Productions who has done some production for us. People like Robert Tucker at indizoo who show sincere interest and give us determination to continue. More than anything it has been the commitment of all the artists who do what they must to get the job done. People like Kiki, the best secret producer in Cuba, who sacrificed many, many hours under extreme conditions including equipment, technical and power failures as well as illness. People find it difficult to believe how such wonderful work was produced with so little. This last trip to Cuba was very special to me and to all of us. We know that Trespeso is to happen.
"...If anyone wants to travel to Cuba contact me... We can make your trip very special."
INDIZOO: What was most difficult experience for you? GUABO: The US and Cuban politics are very difficult. It is also a shame to see foreigners come to Cuba and buy 100% rights to own the music these artists work so hard to create for as little as $5 for complete works. It is tragedy that the artists are so desperate.
INDIZOO: How can people help? GUABO: The best way is to encourage these artists. If anyone wants to travel to Cuba contact me (Guabo) by email. We can make your trip very special to participate with Trespeso. It will be much better than being a tourist. The biggest help we need is funding for the final production and securing some sort of distribution deal for Trespeso Music. INDIZOO: What are future plans for Trespeso? GUABO: Early 2006 before my return to Cuba, 3P Music will release a compilation CD and DVD duo entitled Buena Pistas Social Club (The Good Tracks Social Club) the aim is to move at least 5,000 units in the US, 50% of the of the revenue goes to the artists the other 50% goes to Trespeso Music to further the foundations of this movement in Cuba. Live Shows happen randomly in Santiago de Cuba but I believe eventually, one day, at least one Trespeso group will perform on foreign soil.
Links to Trespeso:
http://www.trespeso.com
