Biography (Long Version)
Loly y sus Atrevidos de la Bachata is a Cuban band based in Baracoa, Cuba. Fronted by the charismatic Eloides Matos Toirac, known to all as Loly Toirac, the band has been wowing locals and tourists with Loly’s high-energy, original tunes since 2005. The band has played at municipal, provincial, national and international festivals and other events in Cuba. It has twice-weekly standing gigs at La Casa de la Trova Victorino Rodríguez in Baracoa and also plays at other venues around town. Like many other Cuban bands, Loly y sus Atrevidos de la Bachata is not paid to perform in these venues. The only money that these talented musicians make from their performances comes from tips and CD sales.
Loly is the driving force behind the band. He was born in Baracoa and grew up on his grandmother’s farm. His passion for music springs from his rural roots. As a child, he began singing and playing maracas and other instruments at family fiestas and community gatherings. At 15, he wrote his first song and at 18, he learned to play the guitar, which he affectionately refers to as “mi mujer principal” (“the most important woman in my life”). After completing his studies in forestry, Loly worked in that industry for a time before leaving to follow his dream of being a full-time musician. He performed as a street musician and led several bands before joining Los Atrevidos as a singer. It wasn’t long until Loly was leading the band, which was reborn as Loly y sus Atrevidos de la Bachata. The title track from the band’s CD, Caminando entre Espinas (Walking among Thorns), chronicles Loly’s continuing struggle to make a living as a musician.
A self-taught musician and singer-songwriter, Loly has more than 100 songs to his credit. Drawing on personal experience, he crafts stories of passion, love, deception and heartbreak, set to upbeat melodies and rhythms. His inspiration springs from women who touch his life whether through fleeting glances, casual conversations, friendships or deeper relationships. With poetry, love and a unique sensibility for the human condition, he creates unforgettable lyrics, like this one from “Amar y Sufrir” (“Love and Suffer”) – “la vida con amor es muy difícil, pero sin amor, es imposible vivir” (“living with love is very hard, but it’s impossible to live without love”).
Baracoa is located in north-eastern Cuba where the Caribbean influence is strong and evident in everything from ambience to food to music. When Loly heard bachata music from the Dominican Republic, he fell in love with it. So, it is no surprise that he chose bachata as his principal genre. Still, he is equally comfortable composing and performing songs in other genres and the band’s repertoire also includes salsa, cumbia, merengue, son, rumba and mexicano.
The band is made up of hardworking, committed and fun-loving musicians, some with professional training and others who are self-taught. With smiles as intense as the Cuban sun and sensual dance moves that are their birthright, they deliver a high-powered live performance. Loly is a dynamo on stage, establishing an immediate connection with his audience that transcends language barriers. A tireless entertainer, he gives his all in every performance.
Caminando entre Espinas is the band’s third CD. It was produced and recorded in 2015 at EGREM’s Siboney Studios in Santiago de Cuba – a first for a band from Baracoa!
