Kid Creole & the Coconuts

In the beginning there was a vision – the vision of a multicultural carnival without stylistic limitations; the vision of a colorful theater with fascinating characters; the vision of an exuberant joyous lifestyle full of irony, humor and sophistication.

To be sure, in the beginning there was a need to present an invitation to a dance called Escapism.

The visionary was Bronx born August Darnell. Disillusioned by the politics in his big brother’s band, Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, Mr. Darnell jumped ship in 1981 and formed Kid Creole and the Coconuts with his wife Adriana Kaegi and his buddy Sugar Coated Andy. Thus began the odyssey. Fast forward to 30 years later and the man and his band are still synonymous with over-the-rainbow adventure: Deluxe Escapism.

“In other times, Darnell might have been called a wit. His best songs are dazzlingly witty: they can also be sarcastic, ambiguous, deceptively eager to please. It’s pop as a moving target, brightly-coloured – even garish, but rich with shades of grey.