To celebrate the completion of its final album, the band Cobracalia will host a live release party at the Rialto Theatre downtown this Friday at 8 p.m.

The passion Cobracalia, formerly known as Black Sun Ensemble, put into its album Behind Purple Clouds will be accompanied by three belly dancing troupes and a laser light show.

Eric Johnson, Cobracalia’s bass and keyboard player, said the album’s unique folk-rock sound is shaped not only by legendary musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison and Jimmy Page, but also by the distinct personality of the Southwest.

“I always felt that the desert played an influence in Black Sun Ensemble,” Johnson said. “There’s a sort of quality to the desert as hauntingly beautiful that’s reflected in our music.”

The combination of a desert sound, ’60s rock and German experimental rock bands like Can and Neu! paved the foundation for Cobracalia’s music.

Band members of Black Sun Ensemble faced tragedy during the production of Behind Purple Clouds when former lead singer Jesus Acedo died in March of last year. The loss of a friend and integral component of the band led the members of Black Sun Ensemble to adopt the name Cobracalia, the title of a song from their first album, as a show of respect for Acedo. With the new name, the musicians worked feverishly to finish the album with the help of local supporters. Eric expressed his gratitude for the musicians who collaborated on the album.

“To fill in that gap of songs he wasn’t on, we recruited a bunch of people in town … to finish up the parts that weren’t done,” Eric said.

In addition to all of the guest artists that worked on the album, the Tucson Pima Arts Council contributed to the completion of Behind Purple Clouds by awarding Cobracalia the New Works Grant in August specifically to advance Acedo’s legacy.

Local bands Burning Palms and The Leila Lopez Band, who were both involved with the album’s creation, will open at Friday’s event.
“It’s bigger than we’ve ever done before,” Johnson said. “It’s very exciting. It’s all falling into place.”

This Friday night’s show is an opportunity to hear the band that has been making music for close to 30 years at its Behind Purple Clouds release party. The event is open to all ages and tickets are $5.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for unique music, belly dancers and an ornate light show.