“I’m tired of being sexy,” whined R ‘n’ B diva Beyonce a few years back, and as she was lacking a talented PR with a strip of gaffa or a well aimed staple gun, six creative Brazilians lurking in a basement in Sao Paulo decided to ensure her words stayed around to haunt her. Those Brazilians became Cansei de ser Sexy (CSS), a band ready to take a sideways look at pop culture and the absurdity of celebrity, a band that stand out like a dancing double jointed thumb.
Rumours abound that none of the band could play their instruments when they formed in 2003, a fact that multi tasking drummer, guitarist, vocalist and producer Adriano Cintra, denies. “Everyone already knew how to play, but I think in the beginning we were a little bit more sloppy.”
It’s kitsch, unashamedly pop, but with that something a little bit different that you can’t quite pin down.
However sloppy they have always had style. Well some style anyway, “We actually like Beyonce’s music,” admits Adriano. “I think the style came naturally with the band, there are six people and each one has their own particular style. Some of the members used to work in fashion or design so we have a strong visual link.”
It’s just the sort of music you’d expect to come from a band that include an art student, a fashion designer, and a design student; a band whose vocalist Love Foxx reportedly only discovered she could sing when she turned up to practise sans guitar. It’s kitsch, unashamedly pop, but with that something a little bit different that you can’t quite pin down.
A blend of “spunky” music and pop art style. But if you’re averse to grabbing a fat woman’s wiggling backside and are often without a group of people in the mood for dancing, then it may not be for you. “We want people having a good time, doing the conga on the dance floor, or when they are in their house listening to the record,” says Adriano.
Thanks to Sub Pop who took CSS under their wing earlier this year – the first South American band to grace their books – people now have a record to conga to. Their self titled debut LP was released in July, much to the delight of their burgeoning fan base, and Adriano seems happy with it, for now. “Yeah it’s the best we can do, until the next one. It reflects one period of the band. Right now we’re on tour and then it will all be different,” is his intriguing response.
CSS are currently visiting the US where, as a result of a previous tour, which “was a bit like a high school party”, they already have a following. Later this year they will visit Europe, the place where Adriano enjoys playing the most. “For everybody involved, the UK and Europe are our favourite place because the reception on the last tour we did was excellent so we are looking forward to coming back. It’s a place that right now we feel most comfortable playing in.”
Bookmark with:
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this page
Readers Comments:
Be the first to comment on this article.