Female powerhouse DARUMAS hit New York City streets last week for the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) to showcase their unique sound where they sat down amNewYork Metro to discuss their 1970s style of funk reminiscent of the FANIA Records artists albeit with an unconventional flair.
Descending beneath the street level, down metal steps into DROM—a gypsy-themed lounge in the Lower East Side—New Yorkers were greeted with an old-school Latin sound with hints of pop and funk thanks to the Latina trio DARUMAS.
Aldana Aguirre gracefully plucked the bass guitar swaying her hips to their new single, “Mago,” while Vedala Vilmond’s mesmerizing voice entranced the audience as Ceci Leon rocked out on the guitar. For the girl-band, it’s all about sharing their story and music with fans.
“I’ve always come to New York, and I find it wonderful. I enjoy this very special opportunity that we’re going to be playing with DARUMAS and this opportunity with the LAMC. It’s just super special. We have a lot of desire to share the music we’ve created with our fans,” Aguirre told amNewYork Metro.
Signed with Sony Music Latin, the group decided to call themselves DARUMAS after the Japanese word that means endurance, happiness, and luck.
“We chose the name because we identified with it as it represents perseverance, striving towards our dreams, and we’re always in the position of striving/working towards them, giving it our all,” Aguirre said. “We want our fans to strive and give it their all, whether it’s in music or in any other career. To use it as motivation for working towards what you want.”
Vilmond wholeheartedly agreed, adding that their name is significant as to who they are as individuals and the message they are trying to share with fans. It is also why they try to include staples from the past such as 60s, 80s, disco, funk, and R&B, these old school elements are the bedrock to Latin music, and DARUMAS are putting a fresh spin on it.
“That significance is very important to us because it emphasizes that with perseverance, it’s necessary to keep pushing forward,” Vilmond said.
DARUMAS are also utilizing their voice to bridge countries together with their music. As they embark on preparing the second half of their first album, the group are also hitting as many countries as possible to spread their alternative sound.
“Our music is bringing all of the countries together because we ourselves are from various places and countries. It brings us together not just as humans but also as musicians. Haiti, Argentina, the United States, Miami, Cuba, Mexico, Chile…We would really enjoy going to as many places as possible to share our music as far as we can,” Aguirre said.
DARUMAS share that they are so grateful for the opportunities they have earned, and that they are truly living out their dreams. But most importantly, they appreciate their fans and share the message of endurance with them and that they too can achieve their dreams.
“Keep striving for your dreams. It doesn’t matter what problems come your way or how difficult it may be; keep working hard. The main significance of DARUMAS is perseverance and striving towards your dreams until you achieve them. Be very disciplined. Be sure of what you give, what you’re doing, and know who you really are. Don’t envy the fashions or what’s trendy. Know what you really want, and when you are clear about what you want, you won’t change. When you know what you want to do, you’re already 100% winning,” Aguirre said.
Translation by Elizabeth Rodriguez-Estrada
