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Feature: Belting It Out
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Good Times, Feature: Belting It Out >>
By: Caroline Minasian
UC Santa Cruz's Arts & Lectures introduces the exquisite Lura
Returning to Santa Cruz, Portuguese singer Lura comes to perform songs off her newest album M'bem di fora. Having already released over three successful albums, it's no surprise that Lura's ongoing success continues to flourish.
With a talent like hers, it's hard to believe that Lura didn't always want to be a singer. Talking about her career she explains that, "it was a complete surprise." At the young age of 17, while pursuing her interest in dancing, African singer Juka asked her to be a backup singer. Hesitating, she went ahead with it, and by proving her talent, earned herself a duet. Now, at the age of 32 and by no means hesitating anymore, Lura says, "I am proud of my new album, it is much more mature and definitely more Cape Verdean than the others."
Although bom and raised in Lisbon, Lura sings about Cape Verde, the former Portuguese territory and birthplace of her parents. The Cape is located off the Western coast of Africa and comprises 10 different islands. Her father and mother were born on different islands, which has helped diversify Lura to the different musical styles Cape Verde has to offer. Her father is originally from Santiago, the largest and most African of the islands, while her mother is from São Nicolau, best known for its mountain terrain. Although the islands differ, some of the major issues that have plagued Cape Verde are poverty and the lack of resources (food, water). Lura conveys the depth of these issues through lyrics on her new album–singing about famine, drought and immigration.
Her songs are not only a form of entertainment, but also a means of educating people about different cultures from around the world and issues they still face. Lura explains that one of her new songs, "No bem fala" is about how poor Cape Verde is as a country, but how rich it is as a culture. She explains that, "this song is about how important people, poets and artists come from this poor country," which shows that despite its lack of resources, Cape Verde has managed to preserve and expand its due in part to singers like Lura.
Her songs are also a tribute to the different styles and rhythms found throughout the islands. Some of the styles include the funana, tabanka, maurca and the cola. Although her interest with Cape Verde's style and culture shines through her newer albums, Lura didn't visit Cape Verde until she was 21. She admits that it is better she wasn't born there.
"If I had grown up in Cape Verde then I would only do one style of music from one island, but now I can mix styles and create new music with an outside persepective." This is shown throughout her new album which draws upon her family roots, mixing different Cape Verdean styles of music, and even adding some pop and R&B as a tribute to her own generation. One of her goals is to create music that everyone will enjoy, including classical and contemporary.
She is excited to share her songs with people in the United States because although she is extremely proud of her heritage, including Cape Verde and Lisbon, the U.S. is a very important place to her. "I love touring the States because the most wonderful and talented singers come from the U.S.," she says. Among her favorites are Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and the late Luther Vandross.
It's also refreshing to know that after all her success Lura stays grounded by spending free time with her family and doing everyday things (reading, movies). She views success as ongoing and explains that "the most important thing for me is to keep singing and keep learning everyday as best as possible. We learn with the good and bad, and that makes us who we are." It is no surprise that with this attitude Lura has become successful and well received by audiences around the world. It is fortunate, then, for Santa Cruz to once again welcome Lura, and her new Cape Verdean style, to the stage.
Lura will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the Rio Theatre. Tickets are $24-$28/adults; $I4/students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 423-8209. 04/25/07
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