Beto Cuevas conquered the Latin Alternative music scene as the voice and creative force behind the Grammy (and Latin Grammy) award-winning Chilean pop rock group, La Ley [1987-2005]. Now, to celebrate the release of his solo album Miedo Escenico [September 2008], Remezlca.com is giving you the chance to win a guitar signed by Beto Cuevas.
Cafe Tacvba has a special treat for their New York City fans on the night of toil and trouble: a Halloween show. The kings of Latin Alternative will be playing Terminal 5 this Friday at 8pm. Click here for more details.
This show kicks off a whole string of concerts around the US to promote their latest album, Sino. They might be coming to city near you! US Tour Dates (November 2008): 1st - Boston: Club Lido 2nd - Washington DC: State Theatre 4th - Charlotte: Amos Southend 6th - Detriot: St. Andrews Hall 7th - Chicago: Aragon Ballroom 8th - Kansas City: Beaumont Club 9th - Denver: Ogden Theatre 10th - Salt Lake City: Karamba 14th - San Francisco: Warfield 15th - Ventura: Fairgrounds 16th - Anaheim: The Grove of Anaheim 17th - Anaheim: The Grove of Anaheim 18th - San Diego: 4th and B 19th - Phoenix: Celebr 21st - Loredo: Cananas 22nd - Macallen: Civic Center 23rd - Austin: Stubb's 25th - Dallas: Far West Rodeo 26th - Oklahoma City: Ok Corral 27th - Houston: Arena Theatre 28th - New Orleans: Tipitina's 29th - Atlanta: Far West Rodeo 30th - Orlando: Club Eternity
The College Music Journal (CMJ) kicked off their annual Music Marathon and Film Festival last night. For the 28th year in a row, indie artists from April Smith to Zimbabwe Legit have invaded the big apple, taking over the city's hottest music venues.
Much like the Latin Alternative Music Conference, the CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival brings together fans, artists, filmmakers, and industry pros the world over through panels, events, and, of course, performances.
Though the artists span a variety of genres, Latin Alternative acts are not in short supply. Zigmat, Monareta, Cuchillo, Maniqui Lazer, Los Fancy Free, and Todosantos are just some of the artists bringing the LA flavor to this year's marathon. Click here for more info on show times and venues. The conference ends this Saturday, the 25th.
Today marks the release of the highly-anticipated 11th album from Latin Alternative pioneers, Aterciopelados. Recorded in their hometown of Bogotá and mixed by Hector Castillo [of Brazilian Girls, Gustavo Cerati and David Bowie fame], Rio [River] is a passionate, socially-conscious album that continues to stay true to the duo's signature rock sound.
Like their Latin Grammy award-winning album, Oye [Listen], Rio calls fans to action. "Errante Diamante" [Wandering Diamond] is the theme song behind "Destierro y Reparacion" [Exile and Reparation], a Colombian project focused on forced displacement and its effects on society, and "Bandera" [Flag], another single on the album, takes on immigration. "Rio," the albums first single, takes its inspiration from a Colombian referendum dedicated to the basic rights of the country's bodies of water.
There's a certain soulfulness to "Rio" that keeps me playing it over and over. It's definitely worth a listen. Andrea Echeverri, the voice behind the duo, says musically and lyrically, the track is unlike any previous Aterciopelados song. "I'm even singing in a different way than in the past. With this one, we reached an entirely new place," she adds.
Echeverri and Hector Buitrago make beautiful music together and with a unique range of guest artists [Gloria "Goyo" Martinez of the Colombian hip hop act Choc Quib Town and the Andean group Kapary Walka to name a few] Rio will not only meet Oye's success - it will surpass it!
First single: "RIO" *Note: this is not the official video. It's just a fan video I found, but the audio is authentic.
Here's what the critics are saying:
“A Spanish-language Patti Smith, Colombia's Andrea Echeverri offers prayers for the polluted Bogotá River over the sultry, syncopated funk rock of "Río"... Girl's got flow, like Rio itself.” -- Rolling Stone
“Aterciopelados audaciously and convincingly reinvent themselves like no one's business... On "Rio," the garage punks turned trip-hopsters turned folk-rock fusionistas musically sound like an amalgam of themselves... Andrea Echeverri’s spunkiness is cool, contemplative, mature and poetic, as well as unabashedly confrontational.” -- The Washington Post
So what are you waiting for? Rio - a la venta ya! Fun Facts:
* Aterciopelados will be touring the U.S. to promote Rio in 2009, so be on the look out for concert dates. * Echeverri gave birth to her second child this past week - felicitaciones chica!
In order to prepare for the Latin Alternative Music Conference here's an overview of some of the acts. Some are staples, some are "need to know" artists, but all of them will be reppin' Latin Alternative in one of the greatest cities on earth: New York City.
CHANA
Performing: Thursday, July 10 6:00pm - 8:30pm LAMC/Cyloop Acoustic Showcase @ SOB's (204 Varick St.) Co-Presented by Gibson Background: With influences that range from Stereolab and Gorillaz to Aterciopelados and Julieta Venegas, LA-based chanteuse Chana perfects her brand of "global hip-pop." Not only is Chana a talented musician but the NYC-born Dominicana danced under famous choreographers like Martha Graham and Twyla Tharp. Her single, "No Me Mandes Flores" is described as "Andrea Echeverri fronting a funk band." Chana will be bringing her flavor across the US this summer so be sure to catch her if you can (for tour dates check out her myspace page). Fun Fact/Interesting Connections: Chana, whose real name is Rosanna Tavarez, made her first visit to the recording studio in the now defunct WB's American Idol-esque series "POPSTARS" back in 2001. Tavarez was selected to be a part of the 5-member girl group Eden's Crush along with the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Schzeringer.
In order to prepare for the Latin Alternative Music Conference here's an overview of some of the acts. Some are staples, some are "need to know" artists, but all of them will be reppin' Latin Alternative in one of the greatest cities on earth: New York City.
UDI E A GERAL
Performing: Thursday, July 10 6:00pm - 8:30pm LAMC/Cyloop Acoustic Showcase @ SOB's (204 Varick St.) Co-presented by Gibson
Background: Formed in 2004 in Brazil, Udi e a Geral performs a mix of reggae, rock, funk, and samba music. Though they've established a presence on European and South American airwaves, they will be making a big splash state-side at this year's LAMC.
If you can read Portuguese: Visit their myspace page.
In order to prepare for the Latin Alternative Music Conference here's an overview of some of the acts. Some are staples, some are "need to know" artists, but all of them will be reppin' Latin Alternative in one of the greatest cities on earth: New York City.
AFROBETA
Performing: Wednesday, July 9 8:00pm - 1:00am LAMC/GoTV Indie Showcase @ The Mercury Lounge (217 E. Houston St.) Co-Presented by Gibson, Discmakers, and Myspace Latino
Background: Their music is described as disco house, ghetto tech, and funk, but this Miami-based duo is no ordinary act. Afrobeta was recently named "Best Songwriters" in 2008 and were previously named "Best Electronic Band 2007" by the Miami New Times. Formed in 2006 after "Smurphio" Laurencio met his muse, Cristina "Cuci Amador" Garcia, at one of his live performances, Afrobeta has become a staple in the Miami music scene. Now, Smurphio and Cuci will be bringing their disco flavor to the NYC Latin Alternative scene.
Fun Fact: Cuci is often referred to by the nickname "Latin Bjork" in local music circles.
