Juan de Marcos Gonzalez

16 October 2007

Juan de Marcos Gonzalez is the brains behind the hit Cuban band - Buena Vista Social Club.

The basis of all Cuban music is the same. We make the accent in the second half of the last beat. Foreigners trying to study Cuban music are always a little bit behind or a little bit forward.

Juan de Marcos Gonzalez on the unique sound of Cuba

Now he wants to redefine our ideas of Cuban music all over again. We caught up with him in London setting up his new record label - DM Ahora!

What's the idea behind the new label?

Everybody thinks Cuban music is moving your ass and that's it - nothing else.

We have very good rock and pop, good ballad singers, good and creative hip hop music.

But the people at the head of the big music companies don't know what F sharp means. This is quite sad.

DM Ahora! is going to show the diversity of styles that are alive in Cuba.

What do you think the future holds for Cuba?

To live in Cuba is very tough if you don't have money. But we have many positive things - free doctors, and you go to the dentist and you don't have to pay.

Cuba is going to change. We hope it's going to be good for Cuban music when the embargo stops.

I hope we're going to preserve what we have - Cuban culture and independence.

Do you mind if I smoke? [Lights massive cigar]

The real US President is not Bush junior. He's just a light switch for the real power.

Juan de Marcos Gonzalez on Bush

If you ruled the world for a day?

I think we have to take care of the Earth. We have to take care of what we have. If we don't we're going to have sad future.

We need social movements like Friends of the Earth to get people's attention. It's tough because people are engaged in their own problems.

You're kidding me. What are you supposed to do in a pub?

Juan de Marcos Gonzalez on pub smoking bans

We have to go from the local to global.

People have to have power over their environment. This is the only way to work.

And finally - your favourite...

• Sound
  - the seashore and Beethoven's ninth symphony
• Sight
  - my family
• Smell
  - a Cuban flower, the mariposa (butterfly)
• Taste
  - Bordeaux '94
• Texture
  - kid's cheeks