Indie sensation Cuco is gearing up for a performance at 8 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the McAllen Convention Center for his “4U” tour, and he is excited to give fans a mix of old and new songs.
COURTESY PHOTO
In an interview with The Rider, Cuco, whose real name is Omar Banos, discussed his creative process, future plans and what concertgoers can expect at the upcoming show.
“I love coming to McAllen,” he said. “I always try to hit as many cities in Texas as possible. … Every city [in Texas] always shows so much love. Being in McAllen, this is a super different vibe, and I really like it.”
Banos latest project, the “4U” EP, was a spontaneous release of songs he had been working on over the past couple of years. Though it was only available for download for four days starting June 13, the tracks are now permanently on YouTube.
“It was just real spontaneous, real real fun,” he said of the EP.
The four-track EP features singles, like “Get Used to It” and “Raźon,” that offer a glimpse into Cuco’s continued growth as an artist and his ability to create music that resonates with listeners on a deep level.
As for a potential vinyl release or a full album, Bano said “I don’t know about a vinyl. It would be kind of cool, like some singles.”
But for now, he has just finished an album that is currently in the mixing process.
He expects the new project to drop sometime next year, though an exact release date has not been set.
Bano teased that in the new album, “I’m going a little back in time … and just kind of, like, celebrating Los Angeles and kind of, like, growing up also. … A lot of soul music, a lot of, you know, just real old school vibes.”
When it comes to the setlist for the McAllen show, Banos is keeping fans guessing. He hinted that it will be a mix of old and new songs, encouraging concertgoers to attend the show to be surprised.
“I’ve been kind of just trolling because it’s been fun,” Banos said. “I just been, you know, playing games with everybody.”
Banos’ goal for his live performances is to create an immersive experience for the audience, making them feel like they are part of a family and providing a sense of relief from the outside world.
“I hope everybody feels like they’re being taken away from the rest of the world for like, an hour and a half of music that we’re performing,” he said. “ … Like an anxiety relief, or something like that.”
Banos said he finds great fulfillment in seeing the impact his music has on fans.
“Honestly, the best thing is when people really feel fulfilled about the show,” he said. “… It’s very validating seeing people like, ‘Yo, I’ve been listening to you for so long, and I started doing my own thing,’ or when people were like, ‘Oh, yo, I started doing my sobriety journey … because of you.’”
Beyond music, Banos finds inspiration in various hobbies, including exercise, photography, videography and traveling. He particularly enjoys collecting merchandise from the different states he visits while on tour, including from the popular Texas pit stop Buc-ee’s.
“I need more merch, because I feel like, I don’t feel like a real touring artist, if I don’t have enough, like, Buc-ee’s merch,” Banos said.
His background as a child of immigrants has also shaped his perspective.
“It’s crazy because you grow up understanding two cultures pretty, like, fluently,” Banos said. “ … But also, you understand growing up in America and being American. … So, it’s really interesting, because … having both of those things so embedded and grinding your head is actually pretty powerful.”
Banos discussed the benefits of being bilingual, noting that it has given him a “superpower” in connecting with people from around the world.
Inspired by the resilience of his immigrant parents and family, Banos has developed a strong determination to achieve his goals. His music reflects this spirit as he continues to break barriers and inspire audiences with his infectious sound.
Banos encourages not just aspiring musicians but anyone who has a goal to keep going, persevere through challenges and believe in themselves.
“Just keep it going and keep it pushing,” he said. “None of this is linear, and there’s always going to be a bumpy road. And you just gotta figure out how you’re going to take all those shots, so that you know how to bounce back from it every single time.
“It’s not impossible in this day and age. Like, everybody has a shot so … you really just gotta … go for it,” Banos said.
Tickets for Cuco’s “4U” tour are available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com.
