Diamba has four CDs and two DVDs in its history, recorded independently and consolidated by an audience that always turns out in mass at all the group's performances. Very tight-knit and musically mature, Duda Sepúlveda (vocals), Renato Nunes (bass), Caio Frenn (drums), Paulo Marola (guitars), and Tilson Santana (keyboards) are experiencing a very special phase of growth and recognition of serious, consistent work. The year 2010 starts in the best possible way for the band. Diamba headlined New Year's Eve on the paradise beach of Itacaré, bringing more than 4,000 people to Praia da Concha at Cabanas Corais and delivering the best of reggae.
"People's recognition is the greatest thermometer and the most important return for us. We know that packing an event during the competitive year-end festivities is not for everyone. And when it comes to independent work, without record label schemes or large entertainment conglomerates, things become even more genuine and that's what matters to the group," believes Duda Sepúlveda.
Other milestones that make the band proud include: Ten appearances at Festival de Verão, the 1st World Bodyboarding Championship show in Bahia in April/May, the personal project "Dia de Encontro" with two annual editions — its first edition in 2008 welcomed the band Carioca Ponto de Equilíbrio at Salvador's Concha Acústica, where tickets sold out with an audience of 5,700 people, and the second edition in 2009 once again packed Bahia Café Hall - Paralela, two editions at the World Surf Championship in Bahia WQS.
This summer Diamba has been appearing at Salvador's most important summer rehearsals such as: Olodum, Jau Peri, Alexandre Peixe, Babado Novo, Tatau among others. Closing out January, Diamba broke the audience record for all editions of the Música no Porto project on the 22nd, and a week later on the 31st overcrowded the sands of Armação beach at the Indoor Games Coca-Cola event — in total sync between athletes, sand, sea and lots of beautiful people, the band drew inspiration from this universe and got everyone singing and dancing to plenty of Reggae. After carnival the Diamba band will release a new CD with new songs that define the new phase and musical influences absorbed by the group, strengthening 13 years of consistent career work.
In these 13 years on the road, Diamba has made countless performances in the capital and interior of Bahia, plus tours in Rio de Janeiro and the interior of Minas Gerais, both in the first half of last year. For Tilson Santana, leaving Bahia always means confirming the universality of Diamba's music and opening new doors. The keyboardist is right.
Besides packing the Rio venue Teatro Odisséia in the bohemian Lapa neighborhood (every Tuesday), they received on stage the affection of heavyweight guests such as bassist Da Gama from Cidade Negra, the band Ponto de Equilíbrio, the group In Natura from Brasília (Natiruts offshoot), Farofa Carioca (Seu Jorge's first band and a musical reference in that city), among others.
Diamba consolidates a career that few bands labeled "alternative" have achieved. For Duda, one of the great results of this return is being able to hear the audience sing and follow all the group's songs during performances. Today the show is based on a vast repertoire from the CDs "Ninguém está a salvo", "Tempos de épocas" and "Diamba 10 anos ao vivo".
The band works at an electrifying pace and always seeks to innovate the sound, trying new arrangements and showcasing unreleased songs such as those on the upcoming CD: "Não me Amole" (Branco Araújo) working track, "Brilhar" (by Duda with Diamba), "Beira da Praia", "Falando com Jah" (both by Paulinho Marola) and "Fazer Valer" (by Duda).