Cuban band Son A La Roca are the four-piece grooving atTrader Vic’s. We talked to Gema on vocals and Roland on guitar.
How did the band come together?
Gema: We formed in Cuba, it started with my husband and I and then we recruited the two girls to join the band.
What’s Abu Dhabi like compared to playing in Cuba?
Roland: For us to play here, it’s easy because people enjoy the music. We play international music, our band’s name means fusion, Son A La Roca, so we do a wide mix of music. We like Latino and Cuban music and we put blues and rock into the mix as well.
Did you all always want to be musicians?
Both: Yes, we all love it so much; we couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
What are the challenges of performing in Abu Dhabi?
Gema: When people give us request after request after request; and it’s songs completely out of our genre.
Roland: They want ‘Hotel California’ and Marc Anthony to ‘Waka Waka’ by Shakira.
Trader Vic’s, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000).
