Roatan Latino-Americano

An Argentinean Musician Finds His Perfect Island

Standing just short of two meters in stature and topped with a head of dreadlocks, Lisandro Cabrera, a 37 year-old Argentinean musician has become a fixture on to Roatan music circuit. His musical adventure began in 2009 when he left Buenos Aires with his guitar to retrace Che Guevara’s route from Argentina to Guatemala. The journey took him tree years and he supported himself by playing in bars and restaurants with his travel companion and drummer partner, Valerio Faead. In Cuba he played at Che Guevara tomb in Santa Clara. “I really admire him. Not many politicians do what they promise,” says Lisandro. While passing through Peru, Lisandro recorded his first album recorded with the Pachanga band he formed with two Colombian friends.

“Rock is my musical identity, but I mix in Latin rhythms,” says Lisandro about his music. “The worst music style I have ever known, and I cannot imagine this music as music… it’s so popular… Reggaeton.” He loves playing Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” and his own songs. One of his favorite original compositions is “Latinoamericano”, a song with rock-Latin beat punctuated by the unmistakable Latin sound of congas.

“Latinoamericano” is the lead track on Cabrera’s second album, also called Latinoamericano. It features salsa, cumbia, Bossa Nova, reggae, and an eclectic rock influence and the lyrics discuss the continent’s troubles and it’s glories.

…De chiquito yo viví guacho y desconfiado Mirando al hombre blanco como el que me hizo su esclavo De San Juan a Nueva York hay una raza de dolor Que sabe lo que es ser latinoamericano.

Yo crecí en el guetto de al lado Mandibuleando espantos entre tripa, birra y faso De Tijuana a Puerto Montt Hay una voz que suena al son Y baila este ritmo Latinoamericano…

Lisandro’s traveling adventure brought him to Roatan in 2012. “I like to live near nature,” said the singer while adding hot water to his maté, a caffeinated Argentinean drink. His arrival was well timed as he joined forces with Dave Barons, drummer for the West Bay Players, a well established Roatan band. “Roatan is one of the best places in the world to be a performing artist,” says Lisandro. “There are people from all over the world here and they appreciate the music that I like to play.”Roatan also gave him an opportunity to learn from some great musicians. “I got to play with Credence Clearwater’s bass player,” said Lisandro speaking about Stu Cook, who has a house on Roatan. His new island home has also offered Cabrera a new performance opportunity. He has been cast as one of the principal characters in “Sunny Place for Shady People”, a musical created by Roatan ex-pats Scott Hynes and Keith Miller on stage at Sol y Mar Beach Club in Sandy Bay. Lisandro plays Smiles, an expat who experiences adventure as a fresh arrival to Roatan.

Lisandro Cabrera can be heard playing regularly at Sundowners with fellow artist Luis de la Rosa, at CocoView, and at Lands End.