Miami-Based DJ Toto Gonzalez Rocks The Music Scene

By Astrid Rivera

Go anywhere on a weekend in Miami and chances are you're likely to hear DJ Mr. Pauer aka Toto Gonzalez. A founding father of Miami's alternative Latin music scene, Gonzalez is no stranger to risk. Ten years ago Latin rock group Soniko found themselves not being able to afford their rehearsal space in Wynwood and Toto decided that hosting weekly parties could provide them with some much needed cash.

The problem was they couldn't find a DJ who could supply the perfect mix of alternative and Latin music that Miami's young Hispanic crowd craved. Fast Forward a decade later and Mr. Pauer's risk paid off, his first debut album Soundtrack, has been nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Alternative Album.

Gonzalez, 36, raved to the Miami Herald,

"I'm already celebrating, since the day I got nominated. That's a big, big deal for me. Do I want to win? Hell yeah. But I think it's a celebration for all the nominees."

Mr. Pauer set himself apart from the very beginning, mixing the tropical sounds of Miami with electronica beats. Even his name, Mr. Pauer, which is a play on words for the Spanish pronunciation of "power", placed him apart from the types of DJ's Miami was accustomed to having. The truth is that Mr. Pauer has worked non-stop to create the musician that he is today and he proved that to the Las Vegas crowd Wednesday night before the 2011 Latin Grammys. Unlike many other artists in this industry, Gonzalez is his own promoter, distributor, producer and the list goes on.

A Venezuelan native, he was always involved in the alternative music scene while studying graphic design in Miami. This gave him the ability to begin branding himself and even start a company called Fabrika, which promotes Latin and U.S. alternative music in Miami for Latinos who have a dual sense of culture. It is his ability to create truly unique sounds that has landed him gigs with Calle 13 and Manu Chao.

Besides promoting his music, website and company, Mr. Pauer has one thing very close to his heart and that's sharing Miami's music scene with the world. He says,

"I really want to take music from Miami and promote it outside."

Although Mr. Pauer didn't take home the gold on Thursday night, this is just one of many recognitions that are sure to come. It is great to know that the Latin Recording Academy is recognizing one of our own, let's all keep up the support and check out Mr. Pauer's Grammy nominated album Soundtrack.

Tags Astrid Rivera, Calle 13, Fabrika, Latin Grammys, Manu Chao, Música, Miami Herald, Mr. Pauer, Toto Gonzalez