The Voice Of Latin Crossover and Alternative Music
Venezuelan band Los Amigos Invisibles recently released their new album Repeat After Me, a Spanglish collection of funk, rock, and disco. The second track from the album is "La Que Me Gusta," an up-beat love tune infused with a pop-rock beat and soulful swing. Lead vocalist Julio Briceño delivers his romantic lines with a calm confidence that is well-supported by the whistling band as they sway with the rhythm. The black-and-white video for "La Que Me Gusta" has a dark … [Read more...]
In less than a year, Leslie Grace has revolutionized bachata music. The debut single “Will you Still Love Me Tomorrow,” a cover of the popular song by the Shirelles, quickly catapulted her to the stage at the 2012 Premios Juventud show and earned her the honor of being the youngest Latina to top the Billboard Latin charts. She followed up with the current hit “Day One,” which also has enjoyed the #1 position on the Latin Tropical Chart. Following her recent nomination at the 2013 … [Read more...]
I had the chance to see New York bachata veteran Toby Love perform at the Top Stop Music showcase during the Latin Billboards last month and I walked away highly impressed. His romantic lyrics are catchy and the R&B influence really keeps the audience engaged, so definitely check him out if he visits your area on tour (Twin Cities: mark your calendars for Thursday May 23rd at Insert Coins, Minneapolis). The new album Amor Total just released on May 7th and since Spanglish Noise has yet … [Read more...]
The colorful sound of La Santa Cecilia's new album Treinta Dias contains fleeting shadows of the numerous musical influences that meld together for a tale of infatuation, deception, and the femme fatale. This journey begins with the bluesy introduction "Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles" ("Our Lady the Queen of Los Angeles") and grants us a passionate look into the struggles and dreams of the aspiring artist and bicultural American. The band members' hearts lie with the immigrant … [Read more...]
After a long day of Latin Billboard Conferences, indie label Top Stop Music flexed it's muscles by hosting a magnificent showcase at Miami's Grand Central. The night featured performances by a mix of tropical singers - most of whom were accompanied by a Live Band! - but the one interview I was hoping to land was with bachata singer Leslie Grace. While I was fortunate enough to sit down with the high school senior and record the audio for an upcoming podcast episode, a faulty memory card … [Read more...]
Nacional Records is hands down the premier U.S. label for Latin Alternative music, so it is exciting to hear that Miami band Elastic Bond just signed with the label and will be releasing their next album Real on June 25th 2013. Elastic Bond is a 6-member ensemble formed in 2006 by Venezuelan producer Andres Ponce and the talented Honduran singer Sofy Encanto. Their name is derived from physics, referencing the idea that they have united their diverse backgrounds and influences into one … [Read more...]
I can't lie: Tommy Torres has long been one of my favorite Latin artists. Not only is the man a genius producer, arranging the instrumentation so that every string chord, every piano progression, and every drum entrance sound natural and effortlessly complement the song's story, but he also has a voice full of passion and meaning! While his last album Tommy Torres was my favorite, in part due to the way he interweaved Puerto Rican music into the tracks, the new 12 Historias certainly is a … [Read more...]
Five-time Latin Grammy winner singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas said that the drug-related violence that has swept her homeland of Mexico in recent years was the inspiration for her latest album Los Momentos. An estimated 70 thousand people were killed in drug-related violence in Mexico between 2006 and 2012, and Venegas felt that she had no desire to include romantic tracks on Los Momentos. Another theme on the album is motherhood. After giving birth to her daughter, Venegas states that … [Read more...]
Smooth, dark, and full of emotion, the opening notes of Kewin Cosmos’ new EP Encuentro y Olvido (EYO) are captivating from the very start. This is raw and heartfelt Spanish R&B, where every breath is real, and every lyric vivid. The project generally features piano-accompanied romantic ballads, but you will at times hear dub-step and dance elements. If this is your first encounter with Kewin’s music, I encourage you to listen to his interview to gain a better understanding of his … [Read more...]
On Saturday April 6, 2013 @ 9:00pm, days after performing at the Cubre Tajin Fetival in Mexico, an event which draws more than 500,000 people annually, the Villa Lobos Brothers (Ernesto, Alberto, and Luis) will join the Take Two Film Festival, which will take place from April 5 to April 7 in New York City. As part of the three-day film festival, showcasing a collection of the best in independent films from around the world, they will be performing a concert presenting their most recent album … [Read more...]
