Christian Porras: Ticolandia

Good Company in Ticolandia

     According to an old adage, we are judged by the company we keep. In no other environment is this truer than in the music world. No successful musician wants to waste his time with a new artist lacking in talent or charisma. That being the case, I think it is safe to say that Christian Porras has emerged as a voice in the new generation of Guanacaste music. Sr. Porras recently released “Ticolandia”, his first album, which is a collection of his own songs. But the solo project ends there. He was aided in the studio by his friends to record the tracks.  And it is the appearance of these fellow-musicians that lends credence to the strength of Christian’s voice and songwriting ability.

     Joining singer/songwriter/guitarist Christian Porras on the album is world-travelled keyboard player Andres Piedra, appearing on several cuts. Piedra plays in the popular band Blue Jazz along with bassist Randall Nagera, who also performs on the disc. When he is not playing with Blue Jazz or the popular Tico-Celtic band Peregrino Gris, Nagera also plays bass in the Pop band Time’s Forgotten, alongside percussionist Jorge Sobrado, who also lends a hand on this CD. All this might sound a bit convoluted but there is a simple point to it: these musicians know each other and their familiarity shows in their playing on the disc. It also speaks volumes about them allowing Christian into their musical circle. And for good reason: Ticolandia floats out of the speakers, the lyrics full of local cultural and geographic references, including peaceful volcanoes and butterflies that dance in the wind like leaves freed from their trees. And there is a good portion of coffee and humor, embraced in a poetic world of romanticism. The musicians match this mood with their accompaniment and Christian’s voice is a perfect vehicle for the sentiment of his songs.

     In the CD’s liner notes, Porras describes Ticolandia as “a surreal landscape that reflects a volcanic exotic land nestled between two vast seas.” He goes on to explain that Ticolandia “is not covered with roses, but with great pride for my motherland I can say it is a beautiful unique landscape in this ever-changing Latin American land”.

     It should also be mentioned in the “Good Company” department that Ticolandia is produced by Dartempo, an organization born in Guanacaste in 2004 with the express purpose of promoting the diverse cultures and arts of this area. The disc was mastered by Eugenio Saenz, a member of the board of Costa Rica’s Cultural Radio. The album has also received a lot of airplay on ICER, the radio station sponsored by the Nacional Educational Institute, thanks largely to Miguel Jara Chacon, ICER’s executive director.

     Guanacaste has always been in a unique cultural bubble and there has recently been a flowering of a new generation of musicians from this area. Malpais probably planted the seed. It’s nice to see the movement blossom with the likes of Christian Porras and Ticolandia.

     The album is available at Jaime Peligro shops in Playa Tamarindo, Quepos and Tilaran, where they will gladly sample the music for their customers. Jaimepeligro123@hotmail.com  Any comments concerning this article are welcome.