An evening of cross-cultural, genre-bending bands performing urban-infused Mexican musical traditions.
Los Mocosos
San Francisco band Los Mocosos cross cultural and musical borders, from low-rider crusin' to Latin love songs, celebrating their roots and American upbringing by mixing funk, soul, and hip-hop with the traditions of salsa, cumbia, and merengue to epitomize the musical melting pot.
"The bilingual Mocosos party it up with unbridled enthusiasm [and] socially relevant barrio lyrics," says the San Diego Union Tribune.
The B-Side Players
Hailing from San Diego, the B-Side Players blend Latin, funk, rock, reggae, and soul into hypnotic grooves. The B-Side Players are "musical revolutionaries," says SF Weekly. "Their infectious Afro-Cuban beats grind into downtempo reggae splashes, pushing a message that's as steeped in politics as it is in rhythm."
Domingo Siete
Domingo Siete blend Cuban son, Colombian cumbia, Mexican Norteño, and bolero into music with a distinctly urban, Los Angeles feel.
DJ Sloe Poke
DJ Sloe Poke will be spinning a wide variety of Latin music, from traditional merengue and cumbias to contemporary reggaetone.
Music Samples
Hear a sample from Los Mocosos's CD American Us (2004, Six Degrees Records).
Hear a sample from the B-Side Players' CD Movement (2001, Surfdog Publishing)
Hear a sample from Domingo Siete's CD Mingo Do Tiese (2005).
Balkan Beats, July 16
Three bands explore the indomitable spirit and flair of the gypsy musical tradition.
DeVotchKa
With violin, accordion, sousaphone, theremin, drums, trumpet, piano, upright bass, guitars, and soaring vocals, the four-piece DeVotchKa create a beguiling mix of Eastern European, South American, and American folk and punk influences unlike anything you've ever heard. Their music has been hailed from all quarters as nothing short of remarkable, landing honors on NPR's All Things Considered "Best Songs of the Year" list in 2004.
The Toids
The Toids join the evening with their eclectic mix of improv, electronica, and the traditions of Bulgaria, Greece, and the Middle East.
Abalonee' Gypsy Project—Estas and Russia Tonne
Estas and Russia Tonne blend Western and Eastern classical, modern, and folkloric music, voice, and dance.
Music Samples
Hear a sample from DeVotchKa's CD How It Ends (2004, Cicero Recordings).
Hear a sample from The Toids' CD Ruupert Dances In Fins (2001, Odd Shaped Case).
Contemporáneo Sudamericano, July 23
Enjoy a high-energy evening with this stellar lineup of South American musicians.
Andrea Echeverri and Aterciopelados Andrea Echeverri, who hails from Colombia, spent 10 years as the lead singer of the extraordinarily popular Latin rock band Aterciopelados. This concert reunites the band as they perform material from Echeverri's new self-titled solo album as well as Aterciopelados classics.
"The sometimes intoxicating and aggressive anthems of her earlier works have given way to ethereal electronica and softly rocking lullabies that show off the subtly powerful voice of this Colombian vocalist," says the Associated Press.
Los Pinguos
Argentinian transplants Los Pinguos offer an infectious mixture of Latin rhythms performed with Spanish guitars, a Cuban Tres, and a Peruvian cajón (box-drum). "Los Pinguos are on the local music scene's fast track," writes the Los Angeles Times.
Los Super Elegantes
Los Super Elegantes round out the evening with their unique punk-mariachi-pop blend mixing influences of L.A., Tijuana, and Buenos Aires.
DJ Dark Alley
Between sets, don't miss the musical stylings of Alex Garcia, also known as DJ Dark Alley, who will be spinning '60s Brazilian pop, sambas, and Tropicalia.
Music Samples Hear a sample from Andrea Echeverri's album Andrea Echeverri (2004, Nacional Records).
Hear a sample from Los Pinguos' CD Serenata (2003, Peermusic).
