Cabal
World Music Ensemble
In 2010 I started stalking 2 musicians who were playing regular Thursdays at a restaurant/bar called Ceviche in Sarasota. Guitarists Nic Kraster and Jon-Robert McLaughlin were playing a repertoire of original and cover music that had its roots in rumba flamenca, bossa, and flamenco. Forcing my way into their lives (which wasn’t hard because they really wanted percussion in the music) I started playing informally with them every Thursday on Ceviche’s rooftop bar. Not too long after that they convinced the managers at Ceviche to include me in the paycheck and the seeds of the band Cabal were planted.
After adding the exceptional talent of Sanderson Poe on bass, Ceviche wanted to book us every Friday on their 3rd floor dance bar, but we needed a band with vocals. So, we added the young and budding talent of Ari McMannus on vocals, we played as a quartet for a while. This started a 3 year residency of sorts at Ceviche’s 3rd floor bar. Later, Sanderson would move to Texas (Why?!) and Dan Brock filled the bass void.
Cabal World Music Ensemble: Ari McMannus, Christopher Austin, Nicolaas Kraster, Jon-Robert McLaughlin, Dan Brock
The Lotus Fire
Reborn
As bands do, it changed. We lost Dan and picked up long-time friend and exquisite violinist Keven Aland. Keven and Nic had originally started Sarasota’s first world-fusion band a decade prior called The Lotus Fire. Since the band personnel was changing, we decided for a brand change as well. Thus, we donned the original moniker The Lotus Fire.
During its time, Cabal/The Lotus Fire recorded two albums, shot a few videos, and played hundreds of shows.
Dance of the Wicked
Amor
Crazy Lady
The Lotus Fire Today
While the band The Lotus Fire does not exist today, many members of the band have moved on to form very successful groups. Nic and Ari got married and have had great success as a duet and with their band Ari and the Alibis.
Keven Aland recruited Jon-Robert and started the Hot Club SRQ, playing a violin-focused swing jazz that echoes the sounds of Django Reinhardt.