The Fake Cousins Live

Close your eyes and let the breeze caress you, bringing sounds from another time. The scent of saltwater under the relentless July sun. Echoes of music that knows neither time nor space; past and present become one as old tunes reach the beach to enchant us with the spell of Blues music.

Formed by Paul San Martin on piano and vocals, Jon Aira on guitar and Javier ‘Shaf’ San Martin on drums, The Fake Cousinsrelease their second album. A double live album that consolidates a definite upward trajectory after the release of their acclaimed first record, The Set Up in 2023, bringing this project—developed alongside the relentless activity of its members—back to the forefront.

Recorded entirely live during the 59th edition of the Jazzaldia in Donostia, this record not only highlights the band´s enormous live potential but also demonstrates an exceptional knowledge of the genre, displaying an extensive catalog of styles with a predominantly Blues approach. A record that dusts off an entire repertoire crafted from musical gems, brilliantly reviving the spirit of often-forgotten artists. Pure Blues, stripped of artifices, done the old-fashioned way, with the spirit of a studio recording as an added value and nothing more than the extraordinary quality we’ve come to expect from the Donostia-based trio. The chronicle of four days where Blues took center stage, with the Real Club Náutico of San Sebastián as an incomparable backdrop.

A rousing start as the band revives the dawn of boogie woogie in Roll ’em Pete by Kansas City shouter Big Joe Turner, moves us to the magic of New Orleans pianist Huey “Piano” Smith and his Rockin’ Pneumonia, and the boogie woogie flu, crowned with composer Jack Fina’s fast-paced Bumble Boogie. Undoubtedly, one of the greatest strengths of this work is Paul San Martin piano skills and vocal versatility to take on all kinds of challenges, from Guitar Slim’s classic The Things That I Used to Do to Sunnyland Slim’s It’s You Baby, from the more contemporary style of American multi-instrumentalist Johnny Sansone in Watermelon Patch to the frenetic swing interpretation of the standard Mexicali Rose. Throughout the four days of recording, The Fake Cousins delight us with gems such as I Almost Lost My Mind and the well-known Hallelujah, I Love Her So by Ray Charles. They also pay tribute to saxophonist Boots Randolph with his popular Yakety Axe, led by Jon Aira, a guitarist who has recently earned his place as a true reference in the circuit and who, together with ‘Shaf’ San Martin on drums, form the perfect complement to the unmistakable band´s sound. Chicago blues with Hoochie Coochie Man, New Orleans classics like Tipitina, gospel echoes in I Believe in You and a boogie master class with Cow Cow Boogie showcase the project´s versatility An eclectic and intense grand finale revisits songs from their previous record, such as The Spy by The Doors or Sloppy Drunk by Jimmy Rogers, revives the legendary Marie Marie by The Blasters with a rock ‘n’ roll twist, pays tribute to the immortal T-Bone Walker on Stormy Monday, ending up with the well-known Roadhouse Blues, featuring  guest vocalist Noa Eguiguren from Noa & The Helldrinkers.

Over four days, The Fake Cousins blended past and present. So far, yet so close—the breeze and the salt carried the taste of immortal Honky Tonk songs and echoes from another era, reaching La Concha beach and painting the 59th Jazzaldia in Donostia a deep shade of blue.

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