Born in Bogota, Columbia, Carlos Ortega moved to Chicago at age four and grew up playing guitar in punk, surf, and rockabilly bands. Through stories he heard his father tell, Carlos became intrigued with the days of the South American cafes of the 1930’s and 40’s; stories of a mood and place and time after the bottle was empty and the old LP’s were carefully placed on the turntable.

Honduran-born Charlie Baran joined Carlos after meeting him in a guitar shop and accepting an invitation to the band’s next gig. Carlos tells of hearing perfect harmonies to his vocals coming from the front row: Charlie, singing along to songs he was hearing for the first time! Charlie has more licks than the flashiest rock guitarist, but knows as well the value and beauty of measured restraint.

“Ortega manages simple but seductive melodies that match the music’s discreet, some-what subtle eroticism. This is a vivid, almost cinematic music that is soaked in traditional sounds yet never gives way to simplistic clichés and succinct expectations.”
– Mike Breen, Cincinnati City Post

“Casolando’s debut album, Ilianna, is a smooth collection of love songs and life songs. Casolando’s command of both style and emotion is formidable…a Chicago act to follow!”
– Billboard Magazine