Trinidad Express: KES The Band is storming through LA promoting Soca music, Island Pop, Trinidad and Tobago, Angostura and their new CD, Wired. Since the last week of May, the band has been trending on popular social media platform, twitter.com following riveting performances alongside: Shaggy, Collie Buddz, Chris Cab, Alison Hinds and Tarrus Riley on UCLA's campus and at the mega popular Sayer's Club on Wilcox Ave, just off Hollywood Boulevard.
"We have been here since the Saturday, 26th May," said Manager, Carolyn Pasea of Question Mark Entertaiment. "KES performed at UCLA on May 28 and it was a huge success. The set included: "Let Me Know", "Weekend Love Song", "Wotless", "Stalker", "Stress Away", "Come Gyal" — which they did a wicked dub step remix to and had the audience in shock — "Where Yuh From". The audience was totally engaged from the opening and it got better as the set progressed. "Let Me Know" — was also well received; the reactions of everyone in the room was positive be it DJ's and execs. You could see on their faces — they did not know what to expect and they were amazed with each song."
The band also rehearsed at the famous SIR facility located in the heart of Hollywood on the famed Sunset Boulevard and reported that singer, Jacob Dylan was in the facility — using the room next door at the time. The show at the Sayers Club was an industry showcase with specially-invited guests from media houses in LA media, talent agencies, record labels, artistes, actors and entertainment specialists.
Backed by the largest operator of nightclubs on the West Coast, Nazarian, Jason Scoppa's Sayer's Club was built with musicians in mind. Scoppa, who also once curated live shows at Hollywood's Green Door, says the Sayers Club is the first time he was able to envision a club from the ground up.
"He gave me wings," Scoppa says of Nazarian. "When I said that I wanted to build a stage that retracts into the ceiling, his guys got excited."
This retractable stage serves as the focal point of the large room and is just one of many design aspects that musicians say makes the place incredibly conducive to creative expression. Heavy black theatre curtains around the walls look dramatic, but also dampen sound which bursts from the state-of-the-art digital Soundcraft soundboard and a full set of instruments donated by Gibson. To maintain mystery, Sayers is open only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On those nights, depending on what time guests arrive, they might find a congenial lounge, a dance night with a big-name DJ, a rollicking rock show or — as of last week, a Trinbagonian soca band.
"The reception we're getting right now is really positive and it's an exciting time," said Dieffenthaller. "We're having fun and meeting lots of great people in the industry and of course, we're proud to be representing Trinidad and Tobago here in Hollywood."
Kes has started working with DJ Ammo of Black Eyed Peas fame and then On June 8, headed to San Francisco for a show at the New Karibbean City arena in Oakland. Whilst in Los Angeles, KES is scheduled to work with several other producers and more opportunities are opening up as the industry gets a taste of the band and their infectious sound.
"At the showcase everyone was given copies of the music and videos. Pasea said. "In our pitches, we have sent off the links to the videos and the general feedback is that they are impressed at the quality of work of what the band has done. It's a crazy, wild vibe out here and the energy is building. Each day is a different opportunity and we're meeting new people and getting such a positive response."
Meanwhile, here in Trinidad and throughout the Caribbean, Kes' hot song on the Summer Wave Riddim, "My Love" is heating up the dancehalls and radio station playlists. Whilst in Jamaica for a show recently, the band passed into a few studios, including one with producer by Linton "TJ Records" White. "TJ" played the Riddim for Dieffenthaller and asked him to be part of it and the song was written whilst touring — with the bulk of it composed in a hotel room in St Maarten a few weeks after the Jamaica trip.
For more on Kes The Band, log on to their website at kestheband.com, Like their facebook page for updates and exclusive footage and follow the band @kestheband.
