Andhrea and the Black Cats

Andhrea and the Black Cats

Presentation "Andhrea & the Black Cats" is a blues band from Santiago de Compostela (Spain), formed by Ramón Figueira "Figui" (harmonics), Andhrea Verdú (vocals) and Benjamín Vázquez (guitar). Since its creation they've been playing old traditional blues songs with his special style. Born as a simple acoustic format designed for small places it has evolved to become one of the most attractive projects in the Galician blues, placing its name in festivals and music clubs all over the country. They recently published their first studio album, "New Roads", 10 songs which summarize what "Andhrea & the Black Cats" are and the way walked since the band was created.

History [2012-2013] First Steps It was 2012 when "Andhrea and the Black Cats" was born. After the dissolution of the band in which Andhrea and Figui meet, Figui decided to start with a new proposal. For that it wanted to be accompanied by Andhrea, who he made a very good friendship with, and with Benjamín Vázquez, who at that time started to be known in the musical circuits of the city. [2013-2015] Kilometers The band continued evolving for almost two years. Concerts all over the Galician geography were growing and the name "Andhrea and the Black Cats" was getting further and further. After the first year playing at small clubs in Santiago they become resident band in one of the city clubs, "Modus Vivendi". During approximately six months tuesday nights were soften with the old blues of "Andhrea & the Black Cats". In this stage they found their own style and the needed experience to do their following steps. At that time they recorded his first demo called "Andhrea & the Black Cats", an album composed by six songs recorded live from Benjamín s home.

[2015-2016] A Little Push After almost 200 concerts it was at the end of 2015 when they decided to stand for the blues bands contest which every year is organized by the Barcelona Blues Society (SBB). They overcome a selection process among other ten bands and accessed to the grand finale, where they competed with another two. In a very special night they get the first place in the contest and the friendship of the the great blues community of Barcelona. Following the contest they went back to Barcelona months later to visit the city in a small tour and once again to record his first studio album in the Salamandra studios. During four intense days they recorded the 10 songs contained in "New Roads", an album which supposes a travel through the way of "Andhrea & the Black Cats" since its creation. In 2016, at the same time they were working on the "New Roads" release, it is when the name of "Andhrea & the Black Cats" starts to appear in well-known festivals and important music clubs in the national scene.

Career "Andhrea and the Black Cats" count more than 200 concerts all over Galician and national geograhy. Some of the more relevant events in what they took part recently are the following: o Winners in VI edition of blues conteste orgnized by Societat de Blues de Barcelona (SBB) [2015] o Cocoa Blues Exchange (Barcelona) [2016] o Concert at Campari Milano, Barcelona [2016] o Benicassim Blues Festival [2016] o Lleida Blues Festival [2016] o Vilablues Blues Festival (Vilagarcía de Arousa ) [2016] o Outono Códax Festival [2016]

Ramón Figueira Figui (Boiro, A Coruña, 17 de agosto de 1979) Lover of music in general and of blues in particular, kitchen chef along many years, he decided to leave his work and pursue other goals. It was 2010 when, after going to a concert of "Los Reyes del KO" and watching the great Marcos Coll in action, he parked his old guitar aside, bought an harmonics briefcase and started to practice. In short time, after hours and hours of study and self-learning it started to look for people with he who could play in the city, what took him to meet Andhrea in his first try". It became soon part of another band which in that period started to grow in Santiago, "The Lakazans", meeting there to Benjamín Vázquez. The band in where he meet Andhrea was dissolved shortly after, moment in which he decides to start a new project with Andhrea and Benjamín. That's how "Andhrea & the Black Cats" was born. His skill with harmonics took him to play repeated times with "The Bakin Blues Band" and to become an usual figure in Santiago blues nights. He formed too "The Fabulous Resaca Brothers" with big Fon Botana. Since then he featured in uncountable projects, records and other works, and was part of other bands like "Sabela King and the Heartbreakers", "Bad Apple Blues" or "Big Lis Gumbo Band".

Andhrea Verdú (Elda, Alicante, 18 de enero de 1988) She starts in the music singing in the chorus of church in her hometown, Ibi. During her adolescence she creates with her great friend Daniel Jiménez a band in which they playes classic rock songs like "Hotel California" or "Come on feel the noise". When she starts her studies at university she left tha band and music in background. Some years later she moved to Santiago de Compostela. It is there where she decides to try again in the music. Her first tries failed. It is in 2011 when she become part of "Compostela Delta Blues" and mets Figui. The band dissolves shortly after but her friendship with Figui gives as a result the creation of "Andhrea & the Black Cats", along with Benjamín Vázquez. At the same time she starts activity with rock band from A Coruña, "El Extraño", but she leaves it one year later with some concerts on her back. Nowadays she stays committed with "Andhrea & the Black Cats".

Benjamín Vázquez (Boiro, A Coruña, 2 de marzo de 1986) His passion for music makes him to study Schoolteching in Musical Education and guide his steps to the guitar world. In 2010 he founds the band "The Lákazans" with Ismael Amor, which is born influenced by bands like "The Bakin Blues Band", "Los Reyes del KO" or "Afrocuncas". It is in the last months of 2012 when he join to the "Andhrea & the Black Cats" project. He creates too along with Figui and Sabela King the band "Sabela King and the Heartbreakers" in 2014. In 2015 he collaborates in the recording of the first album of "Secho y los Invisibles", joining the band at the end of the year.

Formats Trio Classic format of "Andhrea and the Black Cats" with Figui in the harmonics, Andhrea in vocals and percussion and Benja in the guitar. It is a flexible format which lets to adjust easily to needings of each situation. Quartet To the classic format it is added a fourth component, the percussion, lead by Aitor García. With a small drum set it gives a change to the live event providing a bigger rythm and presence.

Albums New Roads [2016] 1. Death Letter Blues 2. Crow Jane 3. Why Dont' You Do Right 4. There's a Man Going 'Round Taking Names 5. Forty Four 6. Walking After Midnight 7. My Chauffeur Blues 8. Down By The Riverside 9. Chocolate Jesus 10. I Wish You Would Andhrea & the Black Cats [2013] 1. Good Morning Little School Girl 2. There's a Man Going Round Taking Names 3. Wang Dang Doodle 4. Why Are People Like That 5. One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer 6. Sweet Virginia

Press Notes "The musical selection of Andhrea & the Black Cats is an absolute delight, almos as much as their way to adapt and introduce them in live. They were great because of his enormous talent but because of their closeness, sympathy and complicity on stage. too. RockSoulAndThings, july 2015 "Andhrea & the Black Cats is the best symptom that something is working on the Galician blues. A young band which plays a very old blues repertory garnished with pure Galician humour. Highly recommended. La Ruta Del Blues, june 2016 "Andhrea & the Black Cats were the winners of VI Blues Contest from SBB. The most sincere congratulations to the components: Andhrea Verdú (vocals), Ramón Figueira 'Figui' (harmonics) and Benjamín Vázquez (guitar), ant congratulations to other two finalists, 'Muddy Wine' and Gang Wolf Lightnin '& Victor Strong Boy because of making us enjoy with their blues! Societat de Blues de Barcelona, november 2015 "That night I left pleasantly surprised. I heard old, very old blues songs in the portentous voice of Andhrea softly accompanied by one guitar that Benjamín Vázquez (Benja) plays like gods and one harmonic. It was like a time travel. Suddenly I flew from XXI century to first half of XX century and I was at a tavern in New Orleans or Memphis Esturión Music, november 2016 "We attended a sensational concert with an impressive rhythm and impeccable performance. Sentir el Blues, may 2016

Contact To contact with Andhrea & the Black Cats you can use any of this methods: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/andhrea-the-black-cats-257854417691599 Email contact@andhreaandtheblackcats.com Teléfono 693 866 721