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CALLE 13 (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Calle 13 is noted for its eclectic musical style, often using unconventional instrumentation in its music, which distances the group from the reggaeton genre. The band is also known for its satirical lyrics as well as social commentary about Latin American issues and culture. For their work, the group has won nineteen Latin Grammy Awards. They hold the record for the most Latin Grammy wins. They have also won two Grammy Awards. www.lacalle13.com
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LOS LONELY BOYS (San Angelo, TX)
The Tex-Mex rock group Los Lonely Boys hail from San Angelo, TX, and consist of three brothers, guitarist Henry Garza, bassist JoJo Garza, and drummer Ringo Garza Jr. In 2003, their debut album, Los Lonely Boys, was recorded at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales recording studio in Austin and earned national attention with their Grammy Award winning single “Heaven”. Currently touring behind their latest CD Rockpango, Los Lonely Boys continue to bring their Latin blues rock style into 2012 and beyond. www.loslonelyboys.com
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CHICO TRUJILLO (Valparaíso, Chile)
Born as a side-project from the legendary punk-ska band La Floripondio, Chico Trujillo has quickly vaulted in popularity to become the most talked about band from the southern cone. Their initial motive was simple: blow some new life into the classic Cumbias of yesteryear. The idea was to mix a piece of the past with the global influence of alternative culture, all under the Pan-American flag of Cumbia.
The sound is a blend of classic cumbias, boleros, and other Latin sounds, with a hint of Gypsy Balkan horns and a tinge of reggae. And their live shows: pure rock ‘n roll power. On stage they mix the energy and chaos of their punk predecessors with the Latin sounds that have influenced them their whole lives, and what comes out is tropical fiesta that keeps fans young and old dancing from the first horn solo to the third encore. www.chicotrujillo.com
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ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO (Austin, TX)
Alejandro Escovedo is one with his muse and his music. Over a lifetime spent traversing the bridge between words and melody, he has ranged over an emotional depth that embraces all forms of genre and presentation, a resolute voice that weathers the emotional terrain of our lives, its celebrations and despairs, landmines and blindsides and upheavals and beckoning distractions, in search for ultimate release and the healing truth of honesty. Sometimes it takes the form of barely contained rage, the rock of punk amid kneeled feedback; sometimes it caresses and soothes, a whispery harmony riding the air of a nightclub room, removed from amplification, within the audience. www.alejandroescovedo.com
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LA SANTA CECILIA (Los Angeles, CA)
La Santa Cecilia consists of guitarist Gloria Estrada, accordionist and requintero Jose Carlos, bassist Alex Bendana, percussionist Miguel Ramirez, drummer Hugo Vargas and lead vocalist Marisoul, whose captivating voice sings about love, loss and heartbreak. Their influences range from Miles Davis to The Beatles, Zeppelin to Janis Joplin and Mercedes Sosa to Ramon Ayala. Ther common love of music and openness to all genres led them to the concept of La Santa Cecilia in 2007 – named after the patron saint of musicians.
La Santa Cecilia’s self-titled EP was recorded at Lo-Fi Studios in San Bernardino and the legendary Westlake Recording Studios in Hollywood. Their song “Chicle” was featured on the Emmy award-winning series Weeds, the independent feature Dish, and the documentary Re-Encounters about Oaxacan artist Alejandro Santiago. Their musician also be heard on KPFK’s radio programs ‘4 O’clock Tuesday’ with Gustavo Arellano and ‘ Travel Tips For Aztlan’ with Mark Torres. The band made an on-camera appearance on HBO’s Emmy award-winning hit show Entourage; the episode also featured the songs “Chicle” and “El Farol”. The band also held a two- week residence for the L.A. Philharmonic- sponsored children’s show Summer Sounds, where they performed their songs and acted so as to educate the community of Los Angeles on their very own cultural treasures. www.lasantacecilia.com
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PELIGROSA (Austin, TX)
Orion, Manolo Black, Pagame, Dj Dus, Hobo D, Sonora, King Louie, Quito, and vj 4th Wall comprise what is Austin’s premiere Latin dance party, Peligrosa. An evening of sultry unpressured dancing and that ever so dangerously fierce young woman, whose methods, carnivorous and maniacal, beckon the Latin Flavor. For more than 4 years, Peligrosa has spread the message of Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, Boogaloo and a long heritage of rythmns to an unsuspecting Austin market. http://www.peligrosablog.com/
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FORRO IN THE DARK (New York/Brazil)
For those who don’t already know, forró is the hip-swiveling, dancefloor-filling, rural party music of Brazil’s northeastern states. And Forró in the Dark is the collective of four New York-based Brazilian ex-pats –Mauro Refosco (zabumba drum and vocals) Davi Vieira (percussion and vocals) Guilherme Monteiro (guitar and vocals) and Jorge Continentino (pifano flute, sax and vocals) – who are updating this traditional sound for the 21st century.
“In Brazil, forró literally means party,” says Mauro. “It’s a gathering, a good time. The objective is to make people dance.” Which is exactly what Forro In The Dark have been doing since 2005 at their weekly residence at East Village nightspot Nublu, where their signature blend of down home forró and urban cool have made them one of the city’s must-see buzz bands. www.facebook.com/forrointhedark
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ANA TIJOUX (Santiago, Chile)
Regarded by many as the best rapper in the Spanish Language, Ana Tijoux’s career has spanned 10 years of pure hits. Starting with her groundbreaking group Makiza–which mixed socially conscious lyrics with production styles unheard of in Latin America–to collaborations that turned into world-wide hits with the likes of Julieta Venegas, Control Machete, y Bajofondo, to the voice of the Gorillaz-inspired, #1 children’s animated hit show Pulentos, Tijoux has always been at the forefront of her genre, one step ahead of the pack. www.anatijoux.com/en/
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CHINGO BLING (Houston, TX)
As one Texas’ premier underground rappers/entrepreneurs, Chingo Bling has achieved a level of independent success that only a few in his generation have accomplished. Dubbed the Latin Russell Simmons because of his ability to skillfully parley himself into a remarkably successful brand, selling thousands of CDs, bobble-head dolls, coloring books, DVDs, t-shirts, hot sauce and tamales. In May of 2007, Chingo Bling released his national debut They Can’t Deport Us All to rave reviews and much controversy. The album dealt with issues affecting Mexican emigrants and thrust Chingo Bling into the national spotlight as an advocate for social justice. Chingo Bling continues to lend his celebrity to charitable causes, doing things like speaking on college campuses and conferences such as the Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Summit. He also continues to be a viable force with the Southern and Latino hip hop community. http://chingobling.tumblr.com/
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RUBEN RAMOS & THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION (Austin, TX)
Born in Sugarland, Texas, Ruben Perez Ramos now sits at the helm of a family musical legacy borne over 80 years ago. This legacy – El Legado – is set with traditional Mexican roots, was infused with the big-band sound of the 1940s, heavily influenced by blues and rock, and is now perched at the pinnacle of La Onda: Tejano.
In April of 1999, Ruben and the Revolution received the Best Male Vocalist and Video of the Year awards at the Tejano Music Awards. www.rubenramos.com
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GUSTAVO GALINDO (Los Angeles, CA)
Gustavo Galindo’s music is a reflection of his life’s journey between two countries and two cultures. Born in Mexico City in the early 1980s, his childhood included several years living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, followed by a period living with his cousins in Mexico City, and then a stint in Sacramento.
Not restricted by language or genre, Gustavo’s sound is a combination of traditional and contemporary Mexican and American styles. Gustavo writes and performs both in English and Spanish. In 2008, he released his first Spanish-language EP, La Ciudad, catching the attention of many, including Adrián Sosa, Anibal Kerpel and multi-Grammy and Oscar winning legend Gustavo Santaolalla of the Surco label. Gustavo was signed to Universal Latino/Surco in 2009, where the Santaolalla/Sosa team- the producers behind other inspirations for Gustavo, such as Café Tacuba, Julieta Venegas, Juanes and Molotov- produced his full-length debut, Entre la Ciudad y el Mar out now on Surco/Universal Latino. His first two singles, “Te Perdí“ and “Barco de Papel“, are now available digitally. gustavogalindo.tumblr.com
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GIRL IN A COMA (San Antonio, TX)
San Antonio’s Girl In A Coma have left a permanent tattoo on the hearts of music lovers with their piercing songs and nuclear performances. They’ve blazed a singular trail since Nina Diaz joined the band at age 13 and have found champions and comrades along the way including Joan Jett who signed them, Morrissey, Sia, Tegan and Sara, The Pogues and Amanda Palmer who have hand selected them for tours. In addition, Robert Rodriguez asked them to compose one of the key songs for his film “Machete” last year. All the while, they have been building one of the most impassioned and diverse fan bases in music. Girl in a Coma are that rare feral band, unaffected by trends, that has managed to stay wild and thrill us at every turn. Exits & All the Rest, their 4th album out November 1 on Blackheart Records, is the most heart-stopping turn yet. www.girlinacoma.com
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BROWNOUT (Austin, TX)
Brownout may well be Grupo Fantasma’s psychedelic Latin funk little brother, an offshoot of the collective that regularly backs Prince, its latest incarnation, or even its alter ego. What they are not is the sprawling conjunto’s side project. Brownout has taken Grupo Fantasma’s funk roots and blown them up. In the process they’ve taken on a life and developed a unique sound all their own. Aguilas and Cobras stands as testament of their one of a kind evolution. www.myspace.com/brownoutmusic
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OUTERNATIONAL (New York City, NY)
With roots directly planted in the original bohemian Greenwich Village, NYC’s Outernational has assembled an arsenal of blistering future rock and roll, defiant lyrics and an infectious sense of rhythm that is reminiscent of both The Clash and Rage Against The Machine. In fact, Tom Morello of RATM thought so much of the band that he produced their 6 track Debut EP Eyes on Fire released December 2009 alongside the music video Sir No Sir – a challenging criticism of the war in Afghanistan, fueled by a massive wah-wah guitar riff and trumpet clarion call.
In 2010, Outernational toured toArizonato oppose SB1070, confronting the racist immigration law at the Alto Arizona protests and with a reinvented cover of Woody Guthrie’s Deportees, as a Mexican-influenced folk duet with Tom Morello. The Arizona trip was the inspiration for the band’s new 18-track name-your-price mixtape “Todos Somos Ilegales” – a bi-lingual cinema-in-sound concept album about the border, the USA and the system which criminalizes those who create the wealth it rests upon. The record features collaborations with Calle 13 (9-Time Latin Grammy Winner in 2011), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ceci Bastida (Tijuana No!) and Uproot Andy (Que Bajo?!). With tightly-woven soundscapes referencing hard rock, hip hop, cumbia, corridos, gypsy punk, spaghetti westerns, chicha, vintage soul and even bachata, Outernational’s ‘Todos Somos Ilegales’ is a singular album for 2012. The band is embarking on the 2-month ‘We Are All Illegals Tour’ traveling from the Texas border lands of Brownsville and Laredo across the southwest to California and back, culminating in their performance at Pachanga Fest 2012.
http://outernational.bandcamp.com
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GOBI (Austin, TX)
GOBI is an electro-dance three piece that combines club shaking beats with the explosive energy of a live band. Adrenaline fueled percussion, guitar, and synths makes GOBI a band that thrives on their live performance. GOBI is an experience, an entangled wonder of lyrical verses, up tempo grooves, and ballistic drumming, that commands the crowd and leaves the dance floor singed. GOBI is Texas born and Texas bred, formed in San Marcos, in 2007 the band recorded “The Planet GOBI” demo and moved to Austin in 2008. GOBI immediately made an impact on the live music scene quickly becoming known for turning any room into a dance party. GOBI released their debut EP “The Poltergeist Arcade” in July 2010 and has been on KVRX’s top 40 since its March ’10 pre-release debut. The Single Dirty Dancin’ is quickly becoming the party anthem for everyone searching for the ultimate late night, and for a generation thriving on good times. GOBI performed on the main stage at the 2011 Nocturnal Fest, and their latest work, “The Late Night” EP, is already gaining rave revues after its spring 2011 release. http://soundcloud.com/gobi
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PATRICIA VONNE (Austin, TX)
Over the past eight years since her self-titled debut album, the lovely San Antonio, Texas born and bred singer/songwriter has built an enthusiastic following for her lyrically and stylistically multilingual sound melding a rainbow of genres and musical flavors both in Texas and internationally.
Vonne, who’s been described by the Austin American-Statesman as “a Tex-Mex spitfire with a rock’n’roll heart…” was the 2009 Grand Prize winner in the Latin category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for “La Huerta de San Vincente,” and “Mujeres Desaparecidas” was featured as a free download on the Amnesty International website.
Vonne has also made her mark on the silver screen in a handful of productions by her brother, Robert Rodriguez, playingDallasinSinCityas well as a part in Spy Kids, as well as in Machete alongside Robert DeNiro and Don Johnson. www.patriciavonne.com
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EL DUSTY (Corpus Christi, TX)
DJ DUS has taken the principals of 1970’s era Jamaican soundsystems, a producer’s approach to developing new material and a DJ’s skill behind the turntables to develop a unique and inspired mix of cumbia, hip hop and reggae tracks that translates to a new and fresh sound- best described as NU-Cumbia. http://djdus.tumblr.com/
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MANEJA BETO (Austin, TX)
Indie en Español from Austin, Texas. Maneja Beto occupies the universe where Joy Division meets up with Café Tacuba in an East Austin cantina and riff on Eno-era Talking Heads songs.
Maneja Beto’s members are a close-knit group of friends and artists who are Austin Politicos, Teachers, Mecanics, Technicians and in the latest development- Alex Chavez or should we say DR. ALEX CHAVEZ just earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin with a concentration in folklore and public culture and holds doctoral portfolios in Mexican American Studies and Cultural Studies. Presently, he is a visiting fellow of the Institute for Latino Studies (ILS) at the University of Notre Dame where he is focused on both publishing article-length manuscripts and teaching courses cross-listed with anthropology, American Studies, and music. www.manejabeto.com
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DAVID GARZA (Austin, TX)
Born in Irving, TX, Davíd Garza (pronounced Dah-VEED) was exposed to music at an early age. His mother sang in a choir, his older brothers were diehard classic rock fans, and Garza himself worshipped the Mexican music he picked up on his radio. In 1989, following stints in numerous high-school bands, Garza enrolled in the University of Texas-Austin, where he and his oddly named outfit Twang Twang Shaka Boom gained industry attention for Garza’s combination of pop-savvy songwriting and Robert Plant-style vocals. After leaving the group to go solo, he gigged continually around and outside the Texas area. At first, Garza rebuffed various offers, choosing instead to record and distribute music on his own. He eventually signed with Lava/Atlantic, who landed him a slot on the Great Expectations soundtrack before releasing his major-label debut, This Euphoria, in April 1998. Garza subsequently drew multiple critical accolades (as well as comparisons to the late Jeff Buckley) and toured with the Smashing Pumpkins and Ani DiFranco. www.davidgarza.com
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UMANO ACHE (Laredo, TX)
Umano Aché, is a group of young mexican musicians who after being part of the local rock scene since the late 90’s, got together in 2009 to make new music. Despite the violence lived in the border (Mex -USA) because of the drugwar, these men locked themselves in the studio in October 2010 and created some awesome latin alternative music. Meanwhile they’ve been playing in different stages and festivals in Mexico, Guanajuato, Monterrey, Austin, San Antonio, and all along the border, Sharing stages with artists like Grupo Fantasma, El Gran Silencio, Fuel, among others. In their first album Pa’l Mundo released in December 2011 rithm goes on in a variety of musical mixtures, in 2012 the “sextet of laredo” begun promoting their first work, looking forward to share their talent to everyone they can. es-la.facebook.com/umano.ache
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ANTHROPOS MUSICIANS COLLECTIVE (Austin, TX)
Anthropos Arts is an Austin-based nonprofit organization, 501(c)3, working primarily in the East Austin community to bring top professional musicians into Title I, low-income middle and high schools to offer free music lessons, workshops, master classes, and performance opportunities to economically disadvantaged youth.
The program draws on the rich pool of very talented musicians here in the “Live Music Capital of the World” and consists of professional instruction as well as opportunities for students to play alongside their mentors in public/professional settings around Austin.
With arts funding constantly at the top of the budget cutting list, Anthropos fulfills a tremendous role in the fine arts education community inAustin. In fact, for the students we serve there is no alternative, as they would not otherwise have access to the private instruction or mentorship our music professionals provide. anthroposarts.wordpress.com
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POLITICS (Austin, TX)
Politics is defined as a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. For members Steven, Patrick, Robert, and Michael the decision was simple, make music that defines them and their reality. The sounds are dark, riveting, and lush yet somehow vaguely familiar. The strings transition from lovely chimes to thick, aggressive leads in an instant. The rhythm section pulses like clockwork and above it all, haunting and soulful vocal expressions. Politics harmonize together to create melodies that invoke emotions such as longing, desire, hope, and intrigue. http://www.trustpolitics.com/
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LOS BANDIDOS COSMICOS (Austin, TX)
Perhaps you know them from their work at Austin’s DJ Dojo music store and the city’s thriving live music scene: Claude 9 and DJ Manny created ‘Los Bandidos Cosmicos’, a musical project of original Latin dance hall, dub, world rhythms and remixes. Their use of musical toys, including melodicas, analog noisemakers, samplers and turntables, bring a show that will tweak any party’s needs.
Los Bandidos’ first EP, “Viva La Remix Vol. 1”, distributed and sold at outlets such as Groove Distribution and Turntable Lab, sold out in a matter of months. Los Bandidos is finalizing a much anticipated “Viva La Remix Vol. 2”
At the moment LBC have created hand full of remixes for an eclectic fashion and art event called “Secret Circus” that will be traveling the US in Mid December of 2011.
Out now is a remix of Los Bandidos for Empresarios song ” Negrita Linda” for “Sabor Tropical” Remix Vol. 2. out on Beat Port, Amazon and Itunes http://www.iscratchvinyl.com
pachangafest.wordpress.com 