|
Kool raul
Kool
Raul is one of the best know personalities
and one of the Pioneers of Australia's Latin
Scene. The Latin Voice caught up with him
recently and this is what he had to say...
-
What inspired you to do what you do in
this country?
When I was 13 years old my dad (an
accomplished musician) bought for my
birthday a set of Turntables, speakers,
disco lights and heaps of vinyl. He drove my
brother and I to pick it up from the person
he brought it from. On the way there I told
my dad he was crazy spending a ridiculous
amount of money on something I didn’t have
any interest in. Two weeks later I had my
first gig. Since then I haven’t looked back.
For many years I realized my dad knew what
he was doing way back then.
What's your favourite phrase or motto?
“I ain’t what you do, it’s the way that
you do it and that’s what it’s all about!”
-
Which is your
favourite band, artist or DJ?
-
There are too many
artists mention. It would be more
appropriate if I listed my top 20
Artists and a title of their production
next to it in no particular order. Even
then, I know I’ll have a look at this
list and add another 20 artists to this
list...
Kool and the Gang – “Jungle Boogie”
right through to “Fresh”
Earth Wind and Fire – All their albums
George Clinton, Parliament and P-Funk
All-Stars – All their albums
Roger Troutman & Zapp – Woww!!!
Oscar D’ Leon – All his albums
Fruko – All his albums
Barry White, Freddie Jackson and George
Benson – All their albums
Proyecto Uno with Magic Juan – “Latinos”
and “El Tiburon”
Celia Cruz – Most of her albums
Carlos Santana – All his albums stand the
test of time.
Fulanito – All their albums
Rafaga – All their albums
Bob Marley – All his albums
Los Wawanco – All their albums
I’ll stop here before this list grows out of
control!
What
would you like to see more or less of in the
Australian Latin scene?
 Less
emphasis on:
-
DJ’s and more on having real fun
-
Salsa Dancers who dance as if they’re on
“Dancing with the Stars”, they bore me
to tears.
-
Hard MCs’ with a mouthful of expletives.
You show your I.Q when you can string
more than one sentence without including
a swear word.
-
Individuals who portray Latin
“stereotypes”
-
Others who believe Latinos fit snugly
into the above “stereotypes”
-
Promoters who promise the universe and
deliver the contents in their bowel…we
know who you are!
-
Spoilers…(Others who use illicit tactics
to ruin others events)…we know whom you
are!
-
People who claim they are the best
More emphasis on:
-
Wider variety of music e.g. Latin Rock,
Cumbia, Plena, Latin Hip Hop…
-
Live Latin Entertainment. When the DJ
fad dies where are we to look for our
new generation of talented musicians?
For this reason we need live
entertainment e.g. Latin Bands in our
venues.
-
Promoters who deliver what they promise
on their advertising.
-
Anything “Positive” in the beneficial
manner
-
People who prove they are the best
What has been the most memorable moment in
your career?
Working at many venues, which stood the
test of time. Venues with a lifespan of more
than an opening night…working in venues with
no people attending them and eventually
filling them with new crowds.
Working
alongside Oscar D’Leon, Elvis Crespo and his
27 member entourage, Rafaga, Fulanito, Magic
Juan from Proyecto Uno, touring Ariel from
Rafaga and looking forward to touring stand
up comedian/film and television actor Jorge
Corona in a few months. Sound and lighting
for “El Gordo Porcel y el Flaco Olmedo” when
they toured Australia.
Of all the Latin Music Genres which one do
you think has had the biggest impact in
Australia’s Latin Scene and why?
I think Salsa is very popular amongst
salsa dancers but it would be even better if
we could shatter the stereotype and explore
other rhythms such as Latin Pop, Cumbia,
Samba, Latin Rock, Reggae, Modern Tango…the
list is endless. We are doomed if we only
persist with one musical form.
What’s your favourite Venue and why?
.JPG)
I worked at many great venues prior to
BJ’s. Many Latinos who are in their mid 30’s
would remember them because they too were
regulars at many of these Venues.
Clubs such as Vibrations, Paradise and
Da Vincis were all great clubs where a large
number of Latinos would regularly attend.
“BJ’s” (1997-2001) is the only one
memorable “Latin Venue” in all the years
I’ve been involved in the entertainment
industry which I’ve been extremely fortunate
to be part of.
It featured a live “Salsa Band” on a
weekly basis with a minimum of 11 musicians.
I had the greatest “Latin DJ” in Australia –
DJ Dante Rivera. Bands such as “Candela”,
“Sonora Galaxia” and “Son Veneno” rotated
weekly to satisfy all those who appreciate
the sounds of “Live Music”. The sound and
lighting was always 10 out of 10 leaving all
live performances to be enjoyed by any
patron.
I was fortunate to create a venue all
for myself when I was approached by DJ Dante
to start DJ’ing again after a period of 2
years in absence. I refused on several
occasions due to the fact I had other work
commitments. After a period of 3 months I
decided to pick up where I left off and
within 4 weeks a total transformation
occurred.
Where once stood a dark and
mouldy-carpeted room suitable for dinner
parties and small conferences, now it was
converted into a jam-packed RnB venue (Note:
RnB in 1997 wasn’t as popular as it is now,
everyone was into Dance or Techno/House).
This room was so popular that its
appeal was its “anonymity”, others term the
word “underground”. It was hardly ever
advertised on magazines or pole posters
because it was an instant success. It ran in
the same manner throughout its entire life
with the same DJ line up, DJ Kool Raul.
Every now and then other DJ’s would come and
Spin a few. Amongst them were notable
personalities such as “DJ Caracol”, nowadays
know as “A-gee Ortiz” (but he’ll always be
DJ Caracol to us!!). Every now and then the
G-man would also spin a few (when he was
allowed out of the house!).
If you enjoyed the combination of RnB
and Latin it was the place to be seen at.
BJ’s had people lining up at the door every
Saturday night and at many times were
refused entry because it was a full house.
Guest-lists did not exist, SMS were never
sent out and Emails were only used for
special Long Weekends.
It was a pleasure working with a team
of enthusiastic people who at times did not
agree on everything amongst them but always
had the ability to organize a most memorable
every Saturday night…and out of curiosity
here is a question I pose to you “How many
people have met their other significant half
at BJ’s?”
Who do you think is the most influential
personality or Group in Latin Entertainment
overall and why?
There are many influential entities in
the Latin entertainment industry. Many of us
are only looking at the figureheads of this
business. In many instances these are only
the artists. We may see the artists as the
ultimate being but in reality the real
substance is the team of “number crunchers”
and the “management and publicity team” who
bring together their expertise to place a
product on the shelves of your local music
store.
What about that powerful mechanism that
coerces the masses to purchase the CD? Don’t
they do a great and essential job!!!
Sadly enough sometimes we are attracted
to the glamour and not the essence of the
performers. That’s why I ask you to purchase
an album of your favourite Latin artist but
also please support your “Local Latin
Artist” by attending Latin Venues with Latin
Bands.
What do you think is the key of success to
achieve your goal in Australia’s Latin
Scene?
If anyone chooses to be a performer in
this country, my advice is, follow it
through and don’t stop till you reached your
goals.
Not everyone was conceived with an I.Q
of Einstein or the musical virtuosity of
Mozart. With the appropriate guidance and
the proper self-application we can all
achieve our goals.
Don’t forget there are always those who
“Cheat, Lie & Steal”. They may seem to reach
ideal goals easier and quicker.
There are also those who may know
people and it’s easier for them to
appropriate favours through their contacts.
At the end of the day it’s all about
how you play the game…
Do you have a message for all the Latin
Lovers out there?
Please support the Latin scene in any
way possible at all times. Especially any
events that are fundraisers for the less
privileged wether it is for Australian
residents or Latinos.
Music
Style(s):
You name it I’ve played it!!!
Where:
Vibrations – Ashfield
Parradise – Parramatta
Da
Vincis – Fairfield
Cleo’s – The Gong
Macquarie Inn – Dubbo
Jungle
Room – Fairfield
Marconi Club – Bossley Park
Cascades – Miranda
Classic Hits – Fairfield R.S.L
Benny’s
– Kings Cross
Jungle
Room – Wynyard
Burgundy’s – Sydney City R.S.L
Marconi Club U-18s – Bossley park
Uruguayan Club, Fairfield United,
Argentinean Lidcombe United, Colo Colo,
Centro Argentino, Club Chileno de Wollongong
V.I.P – Kings Cross
Paradise – Kings Cross
11 LA – Novotel Hotel Brighton
Rokokos – The Rocks
Kirtays – Liverpool
Sangria – Bossley Park
Ibiza Nights – Liverpool
Miami – All locations
BJ’s – Bondi Junction
Pirates – Smithfield
EL
Reventon – Fairfield
El
Bombazo – Liverpool
Casa Latinoamericana – Liverpool
B.A.S.E – Rockdale
Mickey’s
– Campbelltown
Latin HQ – Parramatta
Deliciosa – Harbour Cruise
Most recently:
La Campana – Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Latin HQ – Every Second Friday
Sangria – Every Second Friday
Note: I was employed at these venues to
work as a DJ. I’m not a promoter who
includes their names on the DJ line up.
Back to
Interviews Page
Back to top
|
