A group that performs music that is heavily influenced by the Chilean Andes was in Canora on February 23 and members said they were determined to have some fun in the process.
After the first number, Andres Davalos, front man and lead vocalist of the Regina-based group known as the Andino Suns, said to the audience “We’re done bein’ serious. That was our only serious song. Now we’re gonna have some fun. I promise you by the end of the set you won’t be shy anymore!”
The five members of the group onstage then began playing a Mexican-inspired tune, complete with primal yells and infused with rich, melodic harmonization along with their signature “fiery instrumentation.”
Andino Suns presents a high-energy stage performance, according to its promotional materials. The band brings a variety of unique instruments with them. One band member, Cristian Moya, explained about the unique guitar with 10 strings that he played during several tunes.
“This guitar is unique in that it is made from an armadillo, and it has 10 strings,” he said. He also explained, during intermission, that he has had to employ several different methods to prevent injury to his fingers while playing such high energy music. Various-styled picks and nail treatments proved mediocre until he discovered the method of fabricating a cast out of “Krazy Glue and toilet paper.”
Guitar player Andres Palma commented that “so far the OSAC (Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils) tour has been fantastic and every stop has been unique. One example is our stop in Biggar, where the locals have tons of jokes about the name of their town. Everyone so far at our concerts has shown us a warm welcome.”
During his introduction of the group on Thursday night, Alfredo Converso of the Canora Arts Council mentioned that the Andino Suns has “been captivating audiences throughout Canada with fiery instrumentation and inspirational live performances. The group has released three albums, and their second album, It’s Time to Rise, released in 2014, was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award for World Recording of the year.”
Drummer Justin Hauck is referred to by the rest of the band as “the baby.”
“Music is fascinating cause playing it doesn’t have an age,” Hauck said. “I get along with everyone. We have so much fun, but we all have a mature mentality.”
Danny Jones, who usually plays with the Regina Symphony, was playing guitar onstage as a “fill-in” for one of the regular band members who was unable to be in Canora.
“Whenever a group needs me I go,” said Jones. “Every week is different, and I have to do a lot of homework, but it’s worthwhile. I have to be prepared.”
“The hospitality we have been shown in Canora and all the small towns so far is unbelievable,” said Davalos to the Canora crowd. “We get to share it, but you get to live it. And we are here experiencing the music in the moment, in the here and now.
“I wrote a song about that called The State of Nothingness, where you feel nothing but pleasure,” he said. “OSAC gives us the opportunity to do these concerts and experience the moment with you, the audience. You guys are so much fun, Canora!”
