Bilingual six-piece band Pulpa de Guayaba plays up their diverse roots and influences, drawing from rock, soul, reggae and a dash of psychedelic cumbia and jazz. Led by singer Dominick Dear, the group flows across musical and cultural boundaries.
Flutes cozy up to synths, and saxophones duet with electric guitars. Their new album PuLPa is out now – and you can find them at as many local festivals as they can fit on their dance card.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
How did your interest in music begin?
Dominick Dear: My friends and I would write little raps to YouTube beats, and I would always write the hooks – just creating for fun. [Now] I put my emotions and whatever I’m going through at that time in, or maybe even go back into my past to create [a] story. All my songs are based in reality. It’s a lot easier for me to write from a place of truth.
What does each member bring to the band?
DD: The namesake of Pulpa de Guayaba is the “pulp” of all our different backgrounds coming together to create this new juice, this new flavor of band. That’s what makes the band so special.
The full interview is available via the “State of Sound” podcast at radiomilwaukee.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
