Although still a relatively underground group, Si*Se have begun to generate a bit of buzz from critics over their self-titled debut, which was released last year. Hailing from New York, Si*Se formed a couple of years ago by DJ and singer Carol C. Carol C was already a well-known figure in New York’s drum’n’bass scene when she decided to branch out and start a band.

With two DJ’s (Carol C and U.F.LOW) in the group, Si*Se could easily be filed away under the “electronic” banner. But they set themselves apart from the pack by incorporating an eclectic mix of instruments. Two viola players, a percussionist, a drummer and bassist all fuse together to create a unique sound.

“It’s about mixing stuff up that’s not usually mixed together,” Carol C says. “We’re a band from New York City and we try and combine all of its musical traditions including hip-hop beats, Latin rhythms and down-tempo electronic music because that’s what we hear everyday of our lives. It’s a prelude to the future.”

In addition to their distinctive sound, Carol C also sings in both Spanish and English, further distinguishing Si*Se from other groups.

It seems fitting then that Si*Se are signed to David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label, as Byrne is a musical pioneer himself. Si*Se supported Byrne last year on his U.S. tour.