The music of Puerto Rico has been making its way back and forth between the mainland states and its own clubs. It has always had a very significant influence on the music of the world, whether the rest of the world knew it or not. But thanks to the efforts of enormously creative people who are pushing artistic barriers and making new work, along with a few who are enormously talented about being outspoken, it’s been a very interesting time in the world of music.
Puya’ s time spent in Fort Lauderdale was unquestionably time well spent. It got them the gigs they needed, and connection to a large city close by, in order to start getting the songs out there. It earned them enough attention to warrant their being invited to play opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and they’ve also spent more than enough concerts playing the headliners as well. They are a musical phenomenon throughout the world, but Latin America has a very special love for them, and between San Juan and Fort Lauderdale, they’ll always have a home.
Fans today can occasionally catch them in Fort Lauderdale. Cheap hotels are plentiful and comfortable, and give a great vista from which to enjoy the city’s live music scene in general. But there’s no one around who plays quite like Puya. They sound like heavy metal mixed with a little bit of punk at first introductions, but after a little listening, the salsa influence starts to come through, and the punk core starts to get stronger. These are very accomplished musicians, and they’ve got almost two decades of experience together.
Their name is a reflection of both culture and sensibility. Puya could mean the point of a spear, or a strong shot of coffee