Locomotora A Cuba

(album release 5.9.2014)

Looking for what’s special in recent cuban music will lead us to the warm voice of Addys Mercedes, taking us to a Cuba between relaxed joy and deep melancholy, rooted in tradition and really fresh.

Addys Mercedes has many stories to tell: Grown up in a modest family in rural Cuba, she recalls her youth: A soapbox cart („Carrito de Cartón“) she made with her brothers, and – in her dreams – taking her to Havana. Or the old ferry, that dropped anchor in her hometown Moa and gave Addys the first regular stage to perform (Ahí). In the meantime Addys Mercedes moved to Essen/Germany and her new album „Locomotora a Cuba“ bridges the gaps between the cultures: The expieriences and everyday objects, she would like to take to Cuba and the liveliness and warmth, she aims bringing back to Europe.
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Addys

(album 2012)

In 2012 the third album „Addys“ was successfully released in Germany. The arrangements witness a new selfconfidence in songwriting, away fom clichés. Rockguitars are replacing latin hornsections and salsa-pianos. Addys warm voice draws the bridge from natural ballads to indiepop.
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Nomad

(album 2003)

„Nomad“ – for Addys Mercedes means more than just moving from one place to another. Like she did when she left her Cuban native country in order to conquer the rest of the world by means of her voice.

For Addys, „Nomad“ is a perfect example for the joy of discovery and the fascination of the unknown. „For Cuban people the world changes only very slowly“, Addys looks back. „I am changing continuesly“ she say looking forward. It is just natural for her not to deny her roots but to give them new exciting shades.
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Mundo Nuevo

(album 2001)

Her debutalbum „Mundo Nuevo“ (new world) Addys recorded in old legendary cuban studios with musician-friends from her youth. Guajiras, cha cha chas and sones resemble, pure and genuine, of a young Celia Cruz or Omara Portuondo. Gueststar and duett-partner in the romantic guajira „No Me Abandones“ was the legendary Raul Planas. With her warm, unique voice Addys sings about her memories of her cuban childhood (Cha Ka Cha) and the arrival in a new european world (Mundo Nuevo).
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Rompe El Caracol

Sommersingle 2014 – Airplaycharts DE #90

„ …die Polizei ist weg und der Pastor schläft, komm aus Deinem Schneckenhaus und lass‘ Dich verführen … “

Im vergangenen Dezember entfloh Addys Mercedes dem Ruhrgebietswinter und tourte mit ihrer Tochter Lia (13, Geige), Partner Cae Davis und Pomez di Lorenzo (Gitarre) durch ihre kubanische Heimat. Sie spielten akustische Konzerte in Wohnzimmern von Fans und Freunden, auf der Strasse und in Nachbarschaftshäusern.

Rompe el Caracol sprach den Menschen aus dem Herzen: Sie geniessen den Moment bevor sie sich den Unwägbarkeiten des Alltags zuwenden.
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Gigolo

(3.single from album „Addys“ – 11.5.12 Germany)

Sunny, with a pinch of reggae, cuban singer/songwriter Addys Mercedes inaugurates the summer season. Relaxed and ingenuous like the gigolo Addys sings of, electric guitars are grooving with a tuba and caribbean vocal lines.
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Hollywood

(2.single from album „Addys“)

In the second single „Hollywood“ Addys rocks and raps „à la cubana“ about her child dreams of becoming an actress. Her mother couldn’t draw her attention away from it: „El arte no da pa’ comer, sin fula no subes, te quedas en las nubes“ (the art is breadless, without money you won’t make it anywhere and you’ll be left with your dreams). Luckily Addys did not listen to her. Athough she didn’t get a role in a Hollywood film, Addys being a teenager was able to support her family with her fees. The song „Hollywood“ is like a film without camera, a musical journey between cuban tradition and melodic indiepop.
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Sabado Roto

(1.single from album „Addys“)

Accompanied by mandolines, okuleles and a cuban tres Addys sings of a rainy Saturday, a Sabado Roto (broken Saturday). While singing she forgets about her bad luck (mala suerte) and starts to enjoy her destiny. Self-mockingly Sabado Roto describes the life of a Cuban used to sun in rainy Europe.
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