by ND McCray

Caramelo is a soulful Spanish-inspired alt-rock outfit that formed in New York City but waves a flag of international charm. Led by singer, songwriter and dancer Sara Erde –who is Brooklyn-raised but lived in Sevilla, Spain, for six years; guitarist and vocalist Jed Miley, hailing from a flamenco background in Seattle, and gritty hooks delivered by Sevilla-born singer Alfonso Cid.

Ride is the crew’s pop-friendly debut, as they say with “genre-crashing twists” to include a violinist/female mariachi, an accordion whiz from Ukraine, and a jazz bassist. The group’s debut mashes up funk with a Latin twist. But according to legend, the band insists that they are reveling in what is called “duende”, which in flamenco tradition is a manifestation of energy and passion, or as lead vocalist Erde says “…that’s what makes people say olé.” Favorite tracks: “Brooklyn” and “The Girl Is Gone”.