Anyone who thought cuba was a „no man’s land“ when it comes to housemusic has some catching up to do. The living proof is a young woman named Fe Vargas, an up-and-coming producer and DJ from the heart of the land of the miracles.
The dream to become a name on the turntables is not very wide-spread in cuba. But after the huge success of bands like „Buena Vista Social Club“ or „Los Van Van“ the cuban music scene has produced loads of musical highlights – not only in Salsa, but also in Reggaeton. Housemusic still isn’t a big thing in cuba though, but that doesn’t stop Fe from reinventing the sound of her homeland and mixing it with modern house vibes.
„I always wanted to cherish cuba’s musical heritage, but in a unique way. Combining the sound of the island with the groove and energy of housemusic is my way of showing appreciation to the music I grew up with. I don’t do housemusic because of a role model, because I heard or saw somebody playing, I don’t strive for other DJs. I just love the percussive grooves in cuban and especially afro-cuban music, and mashing them up with housemusic is what I love to produce. I think that’s why the album sounds different from other albums in housemusic, it all arised under the sun of La Habana!“
And that’s something you can’t miss when listening to her music. Fe’s tunes are packed with percussions, cuban drums, afrocuban rhythms, spanish lyrics and – of course – the cuban sun.
Fe is a one-of-a-kind. She’s cubas first ambassador of cuban housemusic, the first female cuban DJ who wants to spread the word to put cuba on the landmark of the international housemusic circuit.
„Sharing is caring – that’s our credo in cuba. If I have something you don’t have, let’s enjoy it together. And vice versa. Sharing is much more fun than enjoying something just by yourself. And that applies to music as well. Music is always better to be enjoyed in a group of people – the more the merrier! I love playing my own interpretation of housemusic to other people, make them dance and have a good time. And as you know, cuba loves to dance. There’s no stopping us once we started! Ha!“
Having said that, her gigs to date prove exactly this. Once Fe starts to work the 1210’s, exposing her very own understanding of housemusic and salsa-dancing, there’s no standing still. And that’s something you won’t miss.
Fe is about to release her debut album called „Marianao“ on Tocadisco’s very own imprint „Toca 45“ in early 2016.
Watch this space!
