The distinctive sound of the steel drum can have a profound effect on listeners. It conjures images of pristine Caribbean islands with warm sun, blue skies, bluer water and calm, quiet white-sand beaches.

Creighton Gaynor and Stan Dahl of Ensemble d’Tropicale say they would like to modify this vision just a little bit. Instead of a laid-back beach scene, they see a swinging beach party.

Dahl’s steel drum and Gaynor’s percussion form the core of Ensemble d’Tropicale, usually complemented by a brass player to round out the lineup.

Dahl and Gaynor first collaborated musically in the ISU drumline. Together, they formed a larger eight-piece world music group called Jumbies before creating the smaller group that became Ensemble d’Tropicale. Both groups have a unique take on a number of traditional musical styles including Caribbean, Latin, Cuban and funk, members say.

Although all these different styles provide inspiration, Gaynor and Dahl are reluctant to rigidly define their music.

“What we do is a different thing all its own — there is not another band around right now that has our sound,” Dahl says.

Ensemble d’Tropicale’s playlist includes a variety of covers from traditional Latin dance tunes to The Police, as well as a number of original songs.

“To most people, it all sounds original because people are not familiar with our songs,” Dahl says.

Dahl and Gaynor say that, although their audiences may be hearing something new, it usually doesn’t take long for them to warm up to the ensemble’s unique sound.

“We like a party-type atmosphere, where people get up and dance — it is very rare that people listen to us and aren’t at least moving,” Gaynor says. “They may just tap their foot or nod their head, but they don’t just sit there.”

Dahl says although a lack of familiarity with traditional dance styles like calypso, mambo and salsa can initially stifle audience participation, the compulsion to get up and move definitely catches on.

“A lot of times, it takes that one person to decide they don’t care what people think and just start dancing,” Dahl says.

When they’re not making music, Gaynor is program coordinator for international education services at Iowa State and Dahl is a percussion instructor at Central College. Dahl and Gaynor say they agree that being in a band allows them to connect on a unique level with students.

“Students don’t expect for university staff members to have an outside life,” Gaynor says. “When I tell them I am in a band, they are shocked — the more I can connect with them, the better I can do my job.”

Ensemble d’Tropicale is just one project keeping Gaynor and Dahl on the move, but, looking to the future, they say they can’t resist the idea of making music full time.

“We would like to release a CD with all our originals and go on tour. We would love to quit our day jobs and do this band stuff full-time,” Dahl says.

“It would be great to travel across the country making good music and good friends,” Gaynor says.

What: Ensemble d’ Tropicale

Where: Bali Satay, 2424 Lincoln Way

When: 10 p.m. Friday

Cost: $3 for 21+, $5 minors