Founded in 1995 in Santiago de Cuba, Septeto Santiaguero has made significant contributions to the preservation of traditional Cuban music, including son, bolero, and guaracha. The group, renowned for their adherence to the classic septet format, recently introduced a cover of Atahualpa Yupanqui‘s “Los Ejes De Mi Carreta.” This song, originally by the celebrated Argentine folk musician, has been given a unique Cuban twist by the band, showcasing their ability to blend cultural influences while maintaining the authentic sounds of Cuban musical heritage.

“Los Ejes de mi Carreta” uses the metaphor of an ungreased cart wheel to express individual freedom and nonconformity. The narrator prefers the squeaky wheels as they provide sound and break the monotony of silence, symbolising a rejection of societal norms in favour of personal authenticity and independence.

Septeto Santiaguero, which includes talented musicians like Fernando Dewar on the tres and Rudens Matos on the guitar, has a history of accolades, highlighted by two Latin Grammy wins in 2015 and 2018 for their albums No quiero llanto, Tributo a Los Compadres and A Mi Que, Tributo a los Clásicos Cubanos, respectively.

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