Announcement: Austin Vida Showcase at Ruta Maya (April 1st)

I haven't been writing or posting as much due to a few reason. Obviously SXSW planning has been keeping me busy, but also planning life post SXSW. After all, once SXSW is over Austin is still Austin. Live music is everyday and everywhere you look. As the Editor in Chief of Austin Vida, maintaining a strong local Latin Music presence is very important to me to say the least. That is why the bands on the poster you see above and I have put together another great official Austin Vida showcase.

2/22/10 Free Show with Downtown Rulers Club at Continental Gallery

 

Alex Chavez of Dowtown Rulers Club

Two weeks ago I went up to the Continental Gallery on South Congress to checkout Downtown Rulers Club, the soul side project of Maneja Beto's lead singer Alex Chavez. It was the first time I have ever heard him sing anything non-Latin and in English. The dude is good. He got soul and so do his bandmates: Christopher Grady on bass, Jeremy Bruch on drums and Beto Martinez on guitar. All four members play for bands or artists you might recognize including Brownout and What Made Milwaukee Famous. 

Downtown Rulers Club is a semi-new new band and looking for a good spot for a weekly residency. Their show Monday night is free. They play at 9:30pm and put on a good show. That Continental Gallery space is small but has a good vibe to it. It is not The Continental but the second floor loft next to the tattoo place and The Continental Club. Check it out for free and have a good time listening to music that your momma would love. 

Visit the Downtown Rulers Club on Facebook here: Downtown Rulers Club Fan Page

Free show Monday night with The Downtown Rulers Club

 

The Downtown Rulers Club (photo by Isabel Salazar)

This Monday night at The Continental Club, The Downtown Rulers Club will be playing a free show starting at 9:30pm. They are a very cool classic '60s-'70s style soul band. They are fronted by Alex Chavez, whom you may know as the lead singer of Maneja Beto. Other members of The Downtown Rulers Club include members of Grupo Fantasma. When I first heard these guys, I was hooked immediately. I love old school soul music live. You can keep up with these guys on their Facebook page for now. We'll see what happens with these guys as the year goes by. For now, give a listen to The Downtown Rulers Club:

New Video from Maneja Beto: 'Ofrendas'

Maneja Beto

I just saw these guys live last night at Beauty Bar for our first Austin Vida showcase. Despite the cold, we had a great turnout and people couldn't get enough Maneja Beto. If you're like me and still need more Maneja, fear not. They just released their new music video on Friday for their latest single, "Ofrendas". The video was directed by Johnny Ramirez and features David Garza as a janitor. For those of you in Austin, you may recognize the bar to be Rabbit's on East 6th. Here's the video:

For more on Maneja Beto, check out this interview with Austin Vida HERE.

We're finally doing it! Our first Austin Vida Showcase!

That's right! After a year of working our asses off to make Austin Vida what is today, we're throwing a party to celebrate. We hooked up with local Latin music experts, Conexion Rockera, to bring you some of the best from Austin's Latin music scene. I couldn't be happier with the line up we were able to put together for this one. Everyone of these artists will have people dancing and partying all night long. You're all invited if you're over 21. We don't do this often, but when we do, we plan on doing it big and doing it right. Here's some info about the performing artists.

Maneja Beto:

Maneja Beto is one of my personal favorites. Why these dudes never got picked up by a major label is beyond me. No one sounds like them. I can't really compare them to anyone you'd know other than maybe telling you they are sort of this unique hybrid or fusion band along the same lines as Cafe Tacvba or Aterciopelados. The genre they kind of go by and I use also is indie en Espanol. They fuse Brit-pop, indie, jazz, traditional Latin percussion, cumbias and  lately some funk even. They recently released their latest single, "Ofrendas", and plan on releasing one single per month. I'll make sure to keep you posted. I'm stoked they agreed to headline our showcase, as they represent the standard in Latin Alternative coming from Austin.

El Tule:


El Tule has been playing in Austin for around six years or so now, and now is the time to see them live. I don't think I wold have said that two years ago. I am not saying that to BS anyone, but they've gotten so much better live this past year. I am not sure what it is attributed to, but I think it is because they picked up the tempo and ditched the whole Latin reggae thing. When I saw them at Xemumba Fest in October, I was shocked and impressed. Their new album, Volumen II, was just released last week.

Did I mention that these dudes are mostly white dudes? Including the lead singer? You'd have a hard time finding someone more Mexicano that John Dell. His border Spanish is better than your high school Spanish II level education. He gets down too, trust me. He can have my brown card anytime. Like Asher Roth, Eminem or even Channing Tatum, he too proves being white is no longer an excuse not to get down. If only there were more people like you John Dell...

Este Vato:



Este Vato, translated "this dude', is one of the best new up and comers in the Austin music scene. I swear they came out of no where. I didn't even knew they existed last year. I first saw them at Trophy's in February. I remember my friends and Austin Vida crew members, Angela and Mari, went with me that night. We were all surprised that Este Vato were as good as they were. We expected worse to be honest. Is that fair to say? Probably not, but I'm just being honest with you here.

When Chano came took the mic and started rapping, I was like "aawwww shit!". He sure did. They play with a live DJ, drawing comparisons to Ozomatli or being called a young Ozomatli. I wouldn't go that far yet, but the potential is certainly there if these young vatos keep at it. I dig their cumbia stylings and overall swag.With their debut album in the works, expect big things for Este Vato in 2010.  More importantly, I expect to
 be getting down with Este Vato on December 19th at The Beauty Bar.

DJ Chorizo Funk:



The showcase starts at 9:00pm with DJ Chorizo Funk (love that name!) spinning to get the party started. With a name like that, you know he's a bad ass. He has to be. I have to also give "kudos" to The Beauty Bar for letting us put on an all Latino showcase. Usually bands like Este Vato and Maneja Beto have to play with non-Latin bands in order to play a show there. Maybe it is because that is how the individual promoter has been booking shows with those artists, I don't know. Either way, it has been a long time since I remember seeing  an all local Latino band showcase there. I hope to see you all there. All are welcome. It's only $5 to get in if you're 21 or older. Feel free to send me an email with any questions. Thanks for all your support, for reading my blog, Double Stereo and Austin Vida.

New single from Maneja Beto

One of my favorite bands of all time, Austin's own Maneja Beto, just put out their latest single. Titled "Ofrendas", the Maneja guys get funky on this one. It showcases the band's diversity and ability to play pretty much any genre they wish. Most who are familiar with Maneja Beto know them for their indie meets cumbia hybird that has come to be known as "Indie en Espanol". I'll post more from Maneja Beto later on this month, but for now be sure to pick up the single and support local, creative talent. Check it out!



For more on Maneja Beto,visit the following links:

Official Maneja Beto website

Video Interview on Austin Vida

Maneja Beto: More Than Just My Friday Concert Pick

I really don't even know where to begin when it comes to talking about one of my favorite bands ever, Maneja Beto. They aren't an internationally signed, although they should be. They are from right here in Austin, although that wasn't my first guess when I saw them for the first time at ACL Fest in 2005. They don't sound like anyone else, known or local. That's what I love about them. They truly are an original in every sense of the word. I feel at times, they might even be ahead of their time. They sound so far evolved from most Latin radio music out today. It is as if they took the best from traditional Latin music, indie, jazz, electronica and rock and created a completely new genre.

Every time I'd have people listen to their music or bring them to one of their shows, they gained a new fan. It didn't matter of it was one of my hipster classmates from St. Ed's or my mother even. They were all impressed. From 2005 to about summer 2008, they were always around. Their normal spots were Club DeVille, Mohawk, etc. I always took them for granted and didn't realize it until they went on a small break, or what I refer to as their "hiatus" last year. It was weird not seeing them around.

Well this year they made their return at Austin' s best new festival, Pachanga Fest at Fiesta Gardens in May. Everything suddenly felt normal again, only this time I wanted to make a point to use my editorial power to do everything I could to help them succeed. I want so badly for them to "make it" and never take another break. I know that sounds rather "fanboy" of me, but so be it. I'd never say that on anything but my blog, but it's all true. They're such talented dudes and their members play in other great bands around town, including Mitote, The Escondido Project, Mice and Rifles and Pack Of Wolves.



I want you all to get to know them and hear them live. I want you all to buy or download their albums. First and foremost, I want you all to go check them out live tonight as they play at The Mohawk with a DJ Chorizo Funk, Black Cock, and a great band from San Antonio, Bombasta. Doors open at nine. Get there early. You'll love Mohawk if you haven't been before.

Oh yeah...I almost forgot. We (Austin Vida) just launched and uploaded a new video interview with all the guys from Maneja Beto which you can now view on the home page. You get the story behind the name, the reason for their "hiatus", and get to hear from them how they craft their sound. Before you view that, check out this live clip we shot at Stubb's this summer.




For more on Maneja Beto, check out the following links:

Maneja Beto Myspace

Maneja Beto on Double Stereo

Maneja Beto Website

Check out the Maneja Beto video interview on Austin Vida:

www.austinvida.com

Pachanga Fest Tickets One Day Special on Cinco De Mayo

Tickets for this year's 2nd Annual Pachanga Fest at Fiesta Gardens are on sale now. For today only, Cinco De Mayo, you can purchase five tickets for fifty dollars. Not a bad deal at all considering you will get to see headliners Mexican Institute of Sound, Michael Salgado, and local favorites David Garza, Brownout and more. Pachanga also marks the return of Maneja Beto to the stage after almost a year hiatus. Take advantage folks. Thanks for supporting Latin Music in Austin.

Click here to purchase tickets

Maneja Beto at Stubbs

Tonight I went to Stubbs (indoor) for local Latino indie rock band, "Maneja Beto". Translated literally, it means "Beto Drives" in case you were wondering. Maneja Beto is a rare blend between traditional Mexican cumbia and indie rock. I know that sounds weird. Those aren't really two genres that merge often. In fact, I have yet to find a marriage of Mexican cumbia and indie rock that is better than Maneja Beto

Maneja Beto is not anything new to me personally. I have seen them twice before and know that their music is amazing. However, I made a special trip out to Stubbs tonight because Maneja Beto will soon be on hiatus. That's right. They will not be playing many shows after tonight for a long while. That being said, I made it a point to come out to Stubbs to see them tonight to review the show and help spread the word about Maneja Beto.

For those not familiar with Maneja Beto, let me break it down for you. Their sound is unique. When I mentioned cumbia and indie rock coming together through them earlier, I was merely scratching the surface. They sing in Spanish but sound nothing like any other band you've heard, local or mainstream. They blend the keyboards and feedback with guitars. They merge two voices, Bobby Garza and Alex Chavez, with musical harmonies not yet touched by most Latin Alternative bands. Melodic is another word that comes to mind when I listen to their music. You really do have to listen for yourself.

Are they energetic and exciting live? Honestly, no. Are they fantastic musicians? Yes. Are they original and creative? Yes. When you go to a Maneja concert, you won't find the large crowds (yet) or a mosh pit. You'll see an older mid to late twenty's and up crowd dancing to the cumbias and nodding their heads to the indie songs, like my personal favorite of theirs, "Apertura". I know this because it has been the same crowd at all three shows of theirs I have been to.

Tonight was no different. The crowd was small but enthusiastically into their music. Truthfully I have seen bigger crowds for worse bands at other local Red River joints such as Red Eyed Fly and Headhunters. They don't deserve such mediocrity and low turn outs. Maneja Beto is too good of band. They recently entered a Myspace Latino sponsorship contest and lost to a bunch of gimmicky Pussycat Doll clones. It just goes to show that smut and boobies are still valued by the general Latino public over creativity.

With the recent release of their most recent EP, "Maneja Beto", they should be gaining popularity. All five tracks are worthy of being a single and make for a good listen. Again, the tracks won't pump you up, but they won't put you to sleep. Their music, I figured out, is for the music snobs of the world to appreciate. The idiots who like the spoon fed, over saturated garbage of Mun2 and MTV Tres won't like it. Those who look for something different, creative, unique and Latino will love Maneja Beto.

Maneja's music can currently be heard on M.E. Telvision's "Sonido Boombox" and new internet radio program "Rock y Roll Radio". If by some miracle you read this blog on Friday the 27th of June, Make plans to see them open for Alejandro Escovedo at The Continental Club on South Congress. They are cool guys, great musicians, and offer a unique product. You will not be disappointed. Check out this video from Pachanga Fest put out by Guanabee.com:

Maneja Beto Pachanga Interview on Guanabee
by guanabee