2010–2026
Cuban roots & Latin alternative music · Madrid – Miami
Picadillo began in 2010 as a studio project conceived by Héctor Agüero Lauten at his DoReMix studio in Madrid. He brought together vocalists and songwriters Sol Ruiz and Rey Rodríguez and trumpeter José Luis "Jochi" González, then arranged, produced and recorded the debut album Las cosas de la vida (2011–2012), inviting musicians into the studio track by track. The album was mixed in Havana by Luis Durán and presented in March 2013.
Héctor then assembled a live band to bring the record to the stage. Picadillo made its live debut on May 14, 2013, at Madrid's legendary Honky Tonk club, with the official release concert of Las cosas de la vida. On September 13, 2013, programmed by El Ingenio Teatro, the band made its US debut at Miami's Teatro Trail — presented by TV host Omar Moynelo and supported by América TeVé director Damián Romay — launching a 2013–2014 US tour that established Picadillo as one of the breakout bands of the alternative scene. The band went on to perform across Spain, the US, Canada, Italy and Cuba, including Roy Thomson Hall, SunFest, Art Basel Miami, New World Symphony's Project 305, Faena Miami Beach, Global Cuba Fest, Fábrica de Arte Cubano, Instituto Cervantes Palermo and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. In 2026, Picadillo said farewell with a final concert at Teatro Trail — the same stage where its American story began.
Press
"'Chimpun' was the best of the bunch." — South Florida Classical Review, 2017
«Su primer y vigoroso disco» — El País, 2014
«…se deja claro el acento propio y duradero de este acierto» — Wendy Guerra, El Mundo, 2013
Co-founders: Héctor Agüero Lauten (composer, producer, musical director) · Sol Ruiz (lead vocals, songwriter; Grammy-nominated) · Rey Rodríguez (guitar, vocals) · José Luis "Jochi" González (trumpet, percussion)
Final lineup (2026): Héctor Agüero Lauten (musical director) · Jorge Morejón (percussion, backing vocals) · Julio César López Martín (electric guitar) · Daniel Stable (bass) · Alex Pututi (drums) · Marcos Bernaza (percussion) · featuring Sol Ruiz
Las cosas de la vida — Credits
Produced & arranged by Héctor Agüero Lauten · Songwriting: Sol Ruiz, Héctor Agüero Lauten, Rey Rodríguez · Recorded at DoReMix, Madrid (2011–2012) · Mixed in Havana by Luis Durán
Vocals: Sol Ruiz, Rey Rodríguez, Amanda Gaviria · Guitars: Héctor Agüero Lauten, Rey Rodríguez, Guillermo Arrom, Nam San Fong, Fernando Arroyo · Piano & keys: Héctor Agüero Lauten, Silvio Alfonso · Tres: Miguel Daniel Mundy, Guillermo Pompa Montero · Bass: Iván Machado, Héctor Oliveira, Arián Suárez · Drums: Michael Olivera, Leonardo Ángel, Victoria Kane · Percussion: Hidelvis Cabrera, Jochi González · Trumpet: Jochi González · Trombone: Frank Zarzalejos · Clarinet & flute: Javier Zalva · Violin: Reynaldo Maceo, Marta González · Ukulele: Sol Ruiz
Manicomio — Credits
Produced & arranged by Héctor Agüero Lauten · Songwriting: Sol Ruiz, Héctor Agüero Lauten · Additional songwriting: Rey Rodríguez · Recorded in Madrid at Infinity Studios and La Matilda Studios · Mixed in London by Mikko Gordon · Pro Tools editing: Elías Cerdán
Lead vocals & guitar: Sol Ruiz · Vocals & guitar: Rey Rodríguez · Percussion: El Niño, Hidelvis Cabrera, Jochi González, Martin Bruhn · Trumpet: Jochi González · Trombones: Roberto Lorenzo Elekes, Norman Hogue · Saxophones: Javier Zalva · Special appearance by José Montaña on "Tornillo Suelto"
Master recordings & licensing: DOREMIX — hector@hectoraguero.com
Las cosas de la vida — Picadillo’s debut album, featuring original music, arrangements and production by Héctor Agüero Lauten. The record connects Cuban forms with early New Orleans jazz, ragtime and a playful contemporary sensibility.
Manicomio — Picadillo’s second album.
As songwriter, arranger and producer, Héctor expanded the project’s Cuban roots into a broader, contemporary and eclectic musical language.