Q & A: El Orqueston

Name: Tina Harris

What the best venue – anywhere in the world – you've played? For vibe: The Famous Spiegeltent. For sound: The Famous Spiegeltent. For crowd capacity: Sydney Olympic Stadium, For comfort and slickness, Sydney Opera House Studio, for sheer fun: The Big Top at Woodford.

Is there one country you particularly love performing in? Played UK, Scotland, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy, Austria, Czech, New Zealand and Oz. No faves. All good. Or not.

What part of the world has had the most influence on you, musically? The part that started in Africa and ended up in the Americas, both south and north. Afro Cuban, and funk music have their roots in Africa. The tragedy of slavery evolved into beauty through music.

Where have you experienced music really impacting and influencing a culture? Where the music originates is where it is the culture.

When it comes to your band – is more always better? Of course not. In fact, when I count the band in, I say, 1, 2, 3, LESS!

What's one instrument you wish you could master? Timbales.

Do you have any pre-gig rituals? Yeah. Make sure I know what the hell I'm doing.

What's your favourite food dish? Can't go past pasta.

Can you recommend us a drink at the bar? From memory they used to make a pretty swinging Caipiroska here. And when in doubt, Corona.

Website link for more info? https://www.facebook.com/ElOrqueston?fref=ts