KOBO TOWN is the brain-child of Drew Gonsalves, a native of Diego Martin, Trinidad who has lived in Toronto, Canada for the last quarter-century, or there about. Looking for the proper vehicle in his life to filter normal child-hood angst and reservations associated with being uprooted and planted in a foreign country Gonsalves, thankfully, asked his mother for a guitar one day. That guitar and an uncanny ability to infuse the wittiest of lyrics within his own emotions, fears, uncertainties, joys and love for music eventually led Gonsalves to form KOBO TOWN. Kobo in the Caribbean tongue that is predominate in Trinidad means Crow. Crows are birds that have a dark, meandering side as well as a playful, vocal side which fits just fine with the cast of characters that form the organic comings and goings of KOBO TOWN. Part Calypso, Ska, Dub, Reggae and World Beat with the slightest of Hip-Hop thrown in for good measure, KOBO TOWN will challenge and celebrate everything we have come know about this things we call "life." Their lyrics are socially penetrating that will take the listener on a whirlwind examination of the death penalty, war, homelessness and spiritual faith as well as pay homage to the greats of Calypso and Caribbean music. This is not music to dull your senses and suffocate you to death with benign commercialism. KOBO TOWN is fascinatingly contagious in the most beautiful manner. Their music can't be ignored or dismissed in the same manner one might tune in to the local Top 40 station for a long drive and have it serve as nothing but background noise. KOBO TOWN grabs you by the collar, gets both your feet tapping in time and says, "Be that change you want to see in the world and don't let anybody stop you."
Their two albums, 2006's Independence and 2013's Jumbie in the Jukebox convey that this is a group that isn't satisfied with just creating something musically, they are hungry for their message to be heard but in the most delicately powerful way. Their music is the type of music that changes lives, if allowed to. It is an antidote for the sleeping spirit in all of us. I know this to be true because I was awakened by this band in May of 2013 and I haven't looked back since. This is as good, real and beautiful as music gets and this blog is my THANK YOU to some really genuine, loving and nice guys that call themselves KOBO TOWN - Jerome Cabeen
Their two albums, 2006's Independence and 2013's Jumbie in the Jukebox convey that this is a group that isn't satisfied with just creating something musically, they are hungry for their message to be heard but in the most delicately powerful way. Their music is the type of music that changes lives, if allowed to. It is an antidote for the sleeping spirit in all of us. I know this to be true because I was awakened by this band in May of 2013 and I haven't looked back since. This is as good, real and beautiful as music gets and this blog is my THANK YOU to some really genuine, loving and nice guys that call themselves KOBO TOWN - Jerome Cabeen