The afro-Brazilian-tribal Ha-Ono-Beko
The band's music is hard to label and performed with instruments that they have invented
Silvio Essinger
08/01/2001
The young guys from the Brasília-based band Ha-Ono-Beko have been exposed to different cultures forever - born in the center of the country, they grew up with African and Indigenous traditions, at the same time enjoying new Anglo-American trends. From this melting pot of cultural stimulation arose the music that they present in their first album, the independent Siga o Sol e Vá em Frente 
- whose title is the translation of the African expression that names the band (Follow the Sun and Go Ahead). With a bit of influence from the funk and a lot of maracatu, native Brazilian music and African beats, Ha-Ono-Beko is guided by an "afro-Brazilian-tribal punch", where the influence of Hermeto Pascoal, Chico Science, Milton Nascimento and Luiz Gonzaga is felt. "We're here to experiment", reveals bassist Chico Maloca.
Started five years ago, the band is comprised of Junai (vocals), Dred (harps and vocals), Cacai (guitar), Flávio Leão (drums), Radi (percussion) and Caju (percussion and flute). They make a point about performing on stage all dressed up in Indian costumes and having clay spread all over their bodies. "A Ha-Ono-Beko concert is more like a ritual", says Dred, who is a teacher. Junai creates instruments out of natural or waste materials. He makes percussion or woodwind instruments, such as the Jupã, Cordilata, Manguetom, Canete, Zubiri, Copildo and Kwaco - some of which have electric parts, as found on guitars.
Ha-Ono-Beko spent three years gathering money so as to record their CD - the first print of one thousand discs cost 6 thousand reais. The CD was released during a summer tour around the northeast of Brazil. Last August, the musicians visited Rio de Janeiro, where they gave workshops on the manufacturing of musical instruments. Now, they are printing the third batch of CDs - they have sold 2,600 thousand copies, so far. The money is always reinvested: the band is planning to make a videoclip and to build a rehearsal studio in Brasília.
Producing music that is hard to label, sometimes more on the Indian side (500 Anos de Quê? and Batuque de Tribo), sometimes more on the funk side (Menininho do Pé Pequeno and Ha-Ono-Beko Pelo Povo), Ha-Ono-Beko's audience is equally eclectic. "We play at rave, forró, reggae and rock parties", claims Dred. According to bassist Chico, even electronic music brings inspiration to them. "But it is inspiration to craft our own sound", he assures. They expect to record among the Indians for their next album. The band also has concrete plans to promote their music abroad: "foreign people are always buying our disc and talking to us after the shows", says Chico. You can check out Ha-Ono-Beko's web site: www.inbrasilia.com.br/haonobeko.htm
- whose title is the translation of the African expression that names the band (Follow the Sun and Go Ahead). With a bit of influence from the funk and a lot of maracatu, native Brazilian music and African beats, Ha-Ono-Beko is guided by an "afro-Brazilian-tribal punch", where the influence of Hermeto Pascoal, Chico Science, Milton Nascimento and Luiz Gonzaga is felt. "We're here to experiment", reveals bassist Chico Maloca.
Started five years ago, the band is comprised of Junai (vocals), Dred (harps and vocals), Cacai (guitar), Flávio Leão (drums), Radi (percussion) and Caju (percussion and flute). They make a point about performing on stage all dressed up in Indian costumes and having clay spread all over their bodies. "A Ha-Ono-Beko concert is more like a ritual", says Dred, who is a teacher. Junai creates instruments out of natural or waste materials. He makes percussion or woodwind instruments, such as the Jupã, Cordilata, Manguetom, Canete, Zubiri, Copildo and Kwaco - some of which have electric parts, as found on guitars.
Ha-Ono-Beko spent three years gathering money so as to record their CD - the first print of one thousand discs cost 6 thousand reais. The CD was released during a summer tour around the northeast of Brazil. Last August, the musicians visited Rio de Janeiro, where they gave workshops on the manufacturing of musical instruments. Now, they are printing the third batch of CDs - they have sold 2,600 thousand copies, so far. The money is always reinvested: the band is planning to make a videoclip and to build a rehearsal studio in Brasília.
Producing music that is hard to label, sometimes more on the Indian side (500 Anos de Quê? and Batuque de Tribo), sometimes more on the funk side (Menininho do Pé Pequeno and Ha-Ono-Beko Pelo Povo), Ha-Ono-Beko's audience is equally eclectic. "We play at rave, forró, reggae and rock parties", claims Dred. According to bassist Chico, even electronic music brings inspiration to them. "But it is inspiration to craft our own sound", he assures. They expect to record among the Indians for their next album. The band also has concrete plans to promote their music abroad: "foreign people are always buying our disc and talking to us after the shows", says Chico. You can check out Ha-Ono-Beko's web site: www.inbrasilia.com.br/haonobeko.htm