Earlier this month one of my favorite Latin Alternative groups, Monte Negro, played their Texas leg of their current tour. Monte Negro is touring to support their latest EP, Fugitives of Pleasure & Pasajeros. Some of my Austin Vida crew and I caught them in San Antonio this time instead of Austin because of our different schedules. It was a great show as always and they got to play to an audience who seemed unfamiliar with them. It was like a Los Lonely Boys crowd at a Monte Negro show if you know what I mean. Still, plenty of people bought their CD(s) and shirts. That was good to see them get that support.
Also while we were there, we interviewed Monte Negro for an Austin Vida video feature. You can see the full interview with live footage from the show on the homepage of Austin Vida. We talk to the guys about the new album and about where they see themselves in the future.
Here's a live clip from that show to check out from our Austin Vida YouTube Channel. Here Monte Negro performs their new single of their Pasajeros EP, "Loco Por Tu Amor".
Monte Negro is a band whose sound is as diverse and cross cultural as the band members themselves. Having already successfully fusing rock, reggae and Latin together previously, the band stuck with the same winning formula in terms of sound. While many follow up efforts from great bands fall short, Fugitives Of Pleasure and Pasajeros by Monte Negro, picks up where I expected them to. After an impressive full length debut album, 2008’s Cicatrix, I feared a drop off in quality with their next release. It happens to too many good bands. They will try to go in a different direction in fear of being typecast or not being labeled as “artists”, often leading an album receiving harsh critical dissatisfaction. Fear not Monte Negro fans. Fugitives Of Pleasures and Pasajeros does not disappoint.
Those of you who are looking for free shows during SXSW should definitely check out The Mexic-Arte's day party with Pilar Diaz, Leche, Cosmopolitan and my personal favorite of the bunch....Monte Negro. This is one of the better Latin music showcases this year and it is free.
I know, this is one of any things you could be doing on the 20th. Before you dismiss this show all together for something else, watch the vids I posted below.
Although I much preferred her with the now broken up Los Abandoned, her solo stuff will be very appealing to not just Latin music lovers, but to anyone in attendance. I think she'll win you over if you aren't a fan already.
Monte Negro is one of the best bands in the Latin Alternative scene right now in my opinion. I have seen them live three times in Austin during the last year and they never disappoint. I only wish there were more people at those shows while they played to take notice. Seriously folks, time to pay attention. Their guitar player, Jason, is one of the best guitar players you'll find in any band of any genre. I have nothing but good things to say about these dudes. Check 'em out for free.
This is my first year to attend Rock y Roll Dia, an interactive community outreach event and concert. With two years under its belt, this year's Rock y Roll Dia will be its best yet. While previous acts were what I consider to be honorable mentions at best, with the exception of maybe Mexico's Jumbo, it had not garnered my interest enough to go. This year is a completely different story.
Headlining will be Venezuela's own Los Amigos Invisibles, who are known to many outside the Latin music world as the group David Bryne signed to his Luaka Bop label. I got to see Los Amigos for the first time in March during a free show at The Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC). Having heard only a few songs from them at the time, I had no idea they were so funky. Even if you don't understand Spanish, you can understand live Latin funk and good times. Mix their music with a little cocktail or chela (beer for you gringo friends and coconuts). Here is a video clip for you if you aren't familiar:
Recently added Monte Negro will certainly bring a great rock element Rock y Roll Dia didn't have without them. I got too see them live at SXSW for the first time at the Batanga showcase I worked and again this summer at Antone's on the Circo Rocktastico Tour. They are great live, sounding just like they do on CD with all the energy of their fast paced music. Kinski, lead singer, is great front man and doesn't sound like any other mainstream act out right now. They sing in both English and Spanish, even covering Bob Marley's Give Me Love. You may have seen that video on what used to M.E. TV's best show, Sonido Boombox. They were on M.E. before they were on MTV3 even, on their Discubre (discover) and Download segment. Don’t get me started on MTV3…..uuugghhhh.
The local representation comes from Michael Ramos and his eclectic band, Charanga Cakewalk. Many Austinites are plenty familiar with Charanga, especially with the M.E. Live taping for my favorite Charanga Cakewalk song La Negra Celina. To me, they are mix or regional Mexican, cumbia, Latin Jazz and Carribean. It's hard to explain, but fun to listen to and watch live.
Finally, the last group added to the bill will be Los Hollywood from (you guessed it!) Los Angeles. Given who is behind Dia, I should have expected some sort of LA injected into this. Just from listening to their music online, they sound like a younger, Latino version of No Doubt circa early 90s. Los Hollywood sings in both English and Spanish, so they too are gringo friendly while keeping it true to their roots so to speak. This group and this party, while being a Latin Music showcase, is for everyone. I hope to see you there.
Be sure to come early and get your tickets now, as it at The Mohawk and should sell out. Tickets are available on CD Fuse and you can find more info on the pre parties (whoot whoot!) on the Rock Y Roll Dia Myspace or on Do512. If you want to hear some of the music by these artists, you can listen to Rock y Roll Radio and check out the various shows from your computer. I don't normally plug or promote upcoming shows but my company, Gwizsk Design, are sponsors and the web marketing team for Dia. I say this in the spirit of full disclosure and just wanted to share this great event with you all. I will be posting another blog a couple days or so after the show in case you're lame and miss Rock y Roll Dia. You can read about what a great time it was for all.
Ian is a graduate of Round Rock High School and attended St Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. In 2008 he joined the team at Double Stereo (formerly CD Fuse) as their Blog editor where he reviewed concerts, albums, and did interviews for the popular music site.In January 2009, he became the Editor in Chief for Austin Vida. In 2010, with the help of some of his most talented friends, he launched Red River Noise. "Ian's Music Blog" is also one of the few blogs selected to be a Do512 All-Star.
On any given night of the week he can be found in downtown Austin on 6th Street and the Red River live music district.
Earlier this month one of my favorite Latin Alternative groups, Monte Negro, played their Texas leg of their current tour. Monte Negro is touring to support their latest EP, Fugitives of Pleasure & Pasajeros. Some of my Austin Vida crew and I caught them in San Antonio this time instead of Austin because of our different schedules. It was a great show as always and they got to play to an audience who seemed unfamiliar with them. It was like a Los Lonely Boys crowd at a Monte Negro show if you know what I mean. Still, plenty of people bought their CD(s) and shirts. That was good to see them get that support.
