Live music collective DARUMAS is making waves with the release of their self-titled debut album, “DARUMAS”. The electrifying trio, comprising Aldana Aguirre, Ceci Leon and Vedala Vilmond, has crafted a 7-track love letter to Latin funk, pop, and old-school charm, showcasing their diverse cultural influences and musical talents.
The band’s journey began over the pandemic, fueled by a mission to bring music back to the live stage. Despite their geographical diversity, with members from Argentina, Cuba, and Haiti living in Chile, DARUMAS has seamlessly blended their backgrounds into a cohesive and vibrant sound.
DARUMAS’ debut album is a dynamic mix of groovy tracks. The album’s lead single, “Daruma,” sets the tone for the band’s ethos, drawing inspiration from the Japanese Daruma doll, symbolizing perseverance and wish fulfillment. Followed by “Mago,” a fresh and energetic blend of funk, Latin pop, and disco, accompanied by a captivating music video. Other standout tracks include “Coleccionista,” a love song infused with classic Latin pop ballad elements, and “Cero de Cien,” a funk-driven anthem bursting with energy.
The band’s global musicianship shines through on every track, with Aldana’s infectious basslines, Ceci’s soulful vocals and guitar skills, and Vedala’s mesmerizing voice creating a truly unique musical experience. Their goal is to create something new and inspiring by blending their different backgrounds and musical inspirations.
We got the exclusive scoop from DARUMAS about what their group name signifies and their biggest music influences.
The Knockturnal: What does Daruma signify?
Vedala: Darumá for me means motivation and the song Darumá is an introduction to DARUMAS.
Aldana: Definitely. Darumá talks about the Japanese amulet the “darumá doll”. And our name is inspired by that, so it’s definitely an introduction to our world.
Ceci: I feel like Darumá really encapsulates the core of the type of music we’re making. The lyrics also kind of describe the idea of the reason we’re called DARUMAS, so it’s a perfect introduction
The Knockturnal: Who are your music influences?
Vedala: We admire Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson.
Aldana: A little bit of everything, but I could tell you that I am inspired by many artists like Pharell Williams, Al Green, Silk Sonic, and I also like Spinetta, Cerati, Fito.
Ceci: I would say Silk Sonic, Bruno Mars, D’Angelo, Justin Timberlake are all people that we as a group draw a lot of inspiration from.
As DARUMAS prepares to unleash their debut album upon the world, they invite music lovers everywhere to join them on this exhilarating journey. With their infectious energy, irresistible melodies, and genre-defying sound, DARUMAS is ready to leave an indelible mark on the Latin music landscape.
Listen to the album here and watch the music video below!
Follow DARUMAS:
Instagram: @darumasband
Twitter: @darumasband
TikTok: @darumasband
Facebook: /darumasband
PHOTO CREDITS: Lucía Olmos and Cecilia Glik
