Sepultura played in Cuba for the first time in 2008
In an interview with FaceCulture in the Netherlands, Sepultura guitarist Andreas Kisser spoke about how important it is for the band to play in places they've never played before: “We went to Cuba in 2008 practically without a fee. They paid for our flights and a small setup to be there, our accommodations, food, that sort of thing. But we basically played for free because, for us, it was important for our cultural experience to go there. Fidel Castro was still alive, although he was no longer in power. But, historically, we went before the Rolling Stones. We played for 60,000 people – it was crazy. We were the first foreign heavy metal band to play in Cuba. A free show on the Malecón, it was insane. It's not about money all the time. We didn't make any money there, but the experience we had, the people we met, and the possibilities that a visit to Cuba gave Sepultura, there's no price for that (…) it's great that we can have this kind of opportunity, to really broaden our possibilities and options to compose more and better.”
Asked if all the travels Sepultura has done over the years are reflected in the band's music, Andreas said: “Definitely. Everything. Everything is an influence. Maybe this interview could be a musical idea. And I love that. I kind of forced myself not to listen to too much music. I'm not a music hunter. 'Oh, what's happening and what's new?' I let the music come, because I play with so many different bands alongside Sepultura. Also the bands we tour with, festivals, opening bands. I have a radio show with my son in São Paulo, and I get a lot of material, especially Brazilian stuff. So, anything helps. Any book, any restaurant you go to, a trip, a plane… anything keeps our minds open.”
Sepultura continues touring in support of their latest album, Machine Messiah , released in 2017 via Nuclear Blast.
Read more about Sepultura:
Andreas Kisser speaks about Derrick Green: "We didn't want a Max Cavalera clone." Click here.
Max Cavalera talks about losing the rights to the name Sepultura. Click here.
