Blending Latin pop, Cuban rhythms, hip-hop soul, Brazilian funk and New Orleans bounce, multicultural collective Vale! ULB are carving out a sound all of their own. Dubbed “Cabana Bounce,” their genre-defying style brings together the diverse backgrounds of musicians from Cuba, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico and New Orleans.
Their latest single, ‘Devórame’, captures that philosophy in full. A vibrant celebration of freedom, sensuality and adventure, the track fuses Latin and Brazilian influences with hip-hop to create an energetic sound designed to get listeners moving.
We caught up with Vale! ULB to talk about the origins of ‘Devórame’, the meaning behind its provocative title, the importance of cultural identity, and why the collective are determined to keep pushing the boundaries of Latin music.
Hi Vale! ULB welcome to LOCK, for our readers could you please tell us a little about yourselves?
Vale is not only Val’s nickname but it also means let’s go in Spanish while ULB stands for United Latin Band. Together, we are a group of unique musicians from Cuba, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico and New Orleans that came together to create music that pushes the Latin scene in a new direction.
“Devórame” is described as a celebration of freedom, sensuality, and adventure. What was the original spark that inspired the song?
Deezle, the producer of the band, loves blending genres together and loves Brazilian funk. That initially was the spark to take over to producer, Mr. Sonic (Juan Losada), and create this hybrid of hip hop, Latin and Brazilian influences.
The title translates to “devour me,” which carries a lot of confidence and energy. What does that phrase represent to you beyond the literal meaning?
To us, “devour me” means finding confidence and being comfortable in your skin. It’s a way to ignite the wild part of yourself.
You describe Vale! ULB’s style as “Cabana Bounce.” How would you explain that sound to someone hearing it for the first time?
Cabana Bounce is a genre that blends Latin pop, Cuban rhythms, hip-hop soul, Brazilian funk and New Orleans bounce. It is a combination of all our experiences and cultural backgrounds.
Your music combines Latin pop, Cuban rhythms, hip-hop soul, Brazilian funk, and New Orleans bounce. What draws you to blending such different cultures and genres?
It represents all of us and our diverse backgrounds. It’s important for us to stay true and to remember where we came from while continuing to move forward in different soundscapes.
How do you decide which influences belong in a song while still keeping the band’s identity at the centre?
Music is always about trying to blend different sounds and seeing what works. Through experimenting production, melody, and lyric, we learn consistently through our creative expression. At the end of the day, the music will always speak the truth.
Vale! ULB brings together an incredible group of musicians. How does having such a diverse group of creative voices shape the music?
Each member takes a piece of them and brings it into the music. Anier brings the cuban rhythms, Deezle brings his hip-hop and R&B background, Emi comes with his Argentinian flavor, and Val, her powerhouse voice and salsa Colombian-Peruvian roots.
Latin music continues to have a huge global impact. What role do you hope Vale! ULB plays in representing and expanding that culture?
Our music is made to transcend race, sexual orientation, economic status and anything that is intended to keep us divided. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing, you can count on our music to keep you on your feet and raise your level.
Your songs feel built for live audiences. What can fans expect from a Vale! ULB performance?
A lot of energy and lots of dancing! The feeling that we get when we are playing together is truly magical and we share that magic with the audience.
With the success of previous releases and the momentum behind “Devórame,” how are you approaching this next chapter of the band?
We hope to keep pushing the musical limits. We are excited to release new music continuously and showcase the Cabana Bounce sound to our listeners around the world.