Cuba Cuba

Cuba Cuba are a Welsh pop-rock band from Cardiff, United Kingdom, active from 2007 to 2012. Formed in late 2007, the group plays angular indie and rock-influenced music and is associated with progressive and progressive rock tags.

Line-up

The band consists of Morgan Isaac on vocals, guitar, keys and clarinet; Danny Owen on keys, guitar, vocals and xylophone; Sion Fenwick on guitar and vocals; Mike McCabe on bass and vocals; and Lewys Isaac on drums and vocals.

Style, comparisons and airplay

Their sound is compared with Bloc Party, Friendly Fires, The Killers, Minus The Bear and Phoenix. They receive spot plays from BBC Radio 1 DJs Huw Stephens, Jen Long, Ally McCrae and Bethan Elfyn, and record two BBC Radio 1 Introducing live sessions, in 2009 and 2011. Their music also airs on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio Wales, XFM and Nation Radio.

Releases

Cuba Cuba release a debut EP in 2009, titled Tales From The Cabin, through Smalltown Records. In 2010 they issue the single Home Is The Fire on Walnut Tree Records. Their debut album, Where Else Is Safe But The Road?, follows in 2011 on Walnut Tree Records and contains 11 tracks. The album is completed with producers Todd Campbell, who works with Straight Lines and Tiger Please, and Tristan Ivemy, who works with Frank Turner, The Holloways and Tubelord.

Media use and live activity

The band’s tracks are used on television programmes for the BBC, ITV, ESPN, S4C and WRU TV. Their music video for Icarus reaches No. 4 in the Lava TV Top 20 Chart and No. 5 in the Lava TV most requested chart. They also play support slots for Friendly Fires, The Airborne Toxic Event, Joy Formidable, Funeral For A Friend, Lights, Funeral Party, General Fiasco, The Automatic, Cancer Bats, Francesqa and Canterbury, among others.

Management and label work

Cuba Cuba are signed to Walnut Tree Records and appear on the Escape Artist Management roster alongside fellow Welsh band Tiger Please.

Reception and performances

Their debut EP receives positive reviews from Rock Sound, Kerrang and Big Cheese, as well as several web-based review sites. The EP also leads to festival appearances at Surfstock and at the Manchester showcase event In The City.