Elsten Torres

Elsten Torres
Born	(1965-02-10) February 10, 1965
Origin	Havana, Cuba
Genres	Rock, pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter
Instrument	Guitar
Years active	1993–present
Website	elsten.info instagram.com/elstentorres youtube.com/@elstentorresmusic

Elsten Creole Torres (born February 10, 1965) in Havana, Cuba as Listoriel Leyva Torres, is a singer, songwriter and producer. He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for his first solo independent album, Individual.

Promotional photo for Torres' 2013 tour

Mistaken Identity and Rebelde Sin Causa

His first serious band was called Mistaken Identity, followed by his first Latin rock band, Rebelde Sin Causa. Torres recorded his first professional album, Ataque, with his music partner, Leonardo "Jason X" Perez, on Mexican rock label Discos Gas.

"Fulano De Tal" (Fulano) Band

In Miami, Torres first recorded with the independent label Radio Vox, under the artistic name of Fulano de Tal.

His first single was the Cuban protest anthem "Revolucion". With its success he put the band together that would become Fulano De Tal.

The original members were drummer Brendan Buckley, guitarist Julian Adam Zimmon, and bassist Leo Nobre. Nobre left the band right before they were to record their major label debut, Normal, through BMG/RCA. He was replaced by bassist John M. Falcone. Fulano de Tal released two full-length albums, Normal (BMG/RCA), and Etc. (Radio Vox/DLN). The band officially broke up in 2001, after two of its members Zimmon and Buckley joined Shakira's band.

After the breakup of the band, Torres has continued as a solo artist, he has also had success writing for and with other artists such as Ricky Martin, Luis Fonsi, Obie Bermúdez, Alejandra Guzmán, Julio Iglesias Jr. Aleks Syntek, Ednita Nazario, Oscar de Leon, David Bisbal, Elvis Costello, Marshall Crenshaw,  John Rich (Big & Rich) and several others.

Discography

Elsten Torres' discography is as follows:

Albums

• Ataque (Rebelde Sin Causa) – Discos Gas/Mexico – 1990
• Revolucion (Fulano De Tal) – Radio Vox Records – 1995
• Normal – (Fulano De Tal) – BMG/RCA – 1997
• Etc. – (Fulano) – Radio Vox/DLN – 2000
• Individual – (Fulano/Elsten Torres) – FM Records – 2006

(GRAMMY-Nominated “Best Latin Pop Album”)

• If You Say So – (Elsten Torres) – Uno Entertainment – 2008
• Waiting for Clouds – (Elsten Torres)- Real Artificial Music – 2013
• Borders – (Hey Elsten) - Real Artificial Music – 2015
• Exitos Acusticos – (Fulano De Tal/Elsten Torres) – CMP 2016

(Greatest Hits album)

• Vamonos, Vamonos (Elsten y Los Damn Ramblers) – 2017
• At the End of Love (Elsten Torres) Warner/Chappell Music – 2020
• Nocturno – (Elsten Torres) – MFM+ – 2022
• Real Artificial – (Elsten Torres) – Inner Cat – 2024
• Vice Versa – (Elsten Torres / featuring Los Reggae Monks) – MFM+ – 2025

Compilations and features

• Latin Laugh Festival – BMG / RCA – 1998

• Tributo to the Cure – WEA Latina – 1999

• Una Decada de Rock – BMG – 2000

• Billboard Magazine (interview) – 2007

• Al Borde Magazine (cover feature) Interview – 2007

• National Geographic – "La Cuba de hoy" – 2017

• Billboard Magazine (feature) – 2020

• Spanish Model (Elvis Costello) – 2021

• La Banda Elastica Magazine (feature) – 2024

• Radio 3 - Madrid (live interview) – 2025

Notable songs / singles

• "Los Demas"; (top ten Billboard hit with Julio Iglesias Jr.)
• "Cristina Maria"; (hit single from the album Normal)
• "No Soy Gringo"; (hit single from the album Normal)
• "Caramelo"; (hit single for Alejandra Guzman)
• "Dejala Que Baile"; (hit song for Michael Stuart)
• "Todo El Año"; (Billboard #1 song with Obie Bermudez)
• "Por Una Mujer"; (Billboard top 20 song for Luis Fonsi)
• "Olvidare"; (hit single and video from the album Individual)
• "Selfish"; (hit single from the album Normal)
• "Normal"; (hit single from the album Normal)
• "Dando Vueltas"; (hit single and video from the album Individual)
• "Como Ayer" (song for Jimena Anger for her Grammy-nominated album Día Azul)
• "Closer Tonight" (features on Huawei smartphones as default music)
• "Si Aun Te Quieres Quedar" (Closer Tonight Spanish Version) recorded by David Bisbal
• "Closer Tonight" – (theme song for 100th Anniversary of Freixenet Sparkling Wine) with David Bisbal
• La Vida Cambia (Duet with Antonio Carmona of Ketama)
• "Borders" (single from the album At the End of Love)
• "Bendita Cuba" (tribute song for his mother)
• "Sobraran" (single from the album Nocturno)
• "Real Artificial" (single from the album Real Artificial)
• "Vive" (single from the album Vice Versa)

External links

• Elsten Torres, official site