LLAN DE CUBEL are an Asturian folk music group, who take traditional Asturian music as a base for their work, giving it a new sound.
In order to do this, they use material collected in the archives of Asturian ethnographic research groups, which in turn is complemented by field work carried out by the members of the group themselves, without forgetting the most popular tunes known by all Asturians.
The set-up of LLAN DE CUBEL is based on two fundamental aspects: on the one hand, they are traditional musicians who know and habitually play the most characteristic instruments of Asturies, on the other hand, their interest in other traditions in Atlantic Europe has enriched their musical knowledge, especially the technical and harmonic aspects.
The LLAN DE CUBEL sound is acoustic. The basis of the melody and percussion is taken on by the Asturian instruments (bagpipes, fiddle, wooden flute, Asturian and square drums), while the harmony is supplied by the acoustic guitar and bouzouki (the latter also contributing to the solid rhythm base so characteristic of the group). The electric instruments (bass pedal and keyboards) are only resorted to for backing in specific sections of certain tunes. Although the style of the group is basically instrumental, they do include some songs among their tunes.
LLAN DE CUBEL's repertoire stems mainly from the Asturian tradition of fiddle, flute, accordion and, above all, Asturian bagpipes ("gaita"): "alboraes" (dawn tunes), "marches y pasucáis" (marches), dances (such as "saltones", "muñeires", polkas, …), religious music (pipe mass), etc. Other common sources include traditional Asturian singing and "dances": "tonada", "vaqueiraes" (rhythmic mountain songs), "villancicos" (carols) and other songs (sea songs, working songs, drinking songs, …). With regard to their songs, although they include some traditional lyrics, LLAN DE CUBEL usually use contemporary texts which are always set to music with traditional Asturian melodies.
Since their formation in 1984, LLAN DE CUBEL have participated actively in the revitalisation process of traditional Asturian culture, popularising the latter especially in terms of music and language. Their work as a pioneer group of Asturian folk is recognised in the important publication "Historia de Asturias" in the section dedicated to the history of Asturian music. Today they are the most consolidated formation within the indigenous folk movement and as such an important reference point for new generations.
