By Elis T. Ortiz
Si eres fan de la música electro-norteña que nos brindan Bostich & Fussible of Nortec Collective, we have great news for you! On September 14 they’ll release their follow-up to their Grammy-nominated Tijuana Sound Machine, which will be titled Bulevar 2000.
The new album follows Bostich & Fussible’s tale of the Tijuana sound machine, a car driving through this ciudad mexicana, this time through a newly constructed avenue, Bulevar 2000. Esta avenida is a direct route through and out of the city, but it’s also very notoriously dangerous. As is their trademark theme, Bostich & Fussible strive to share multiple perspectives de las experiencias de la vida en Tijuana.
Nortec Collective at 2010 LAMC
photo credit: Bashira Webb for Tr3s
El primer sencillo será “I Count The Ways," a very lyrical track featuring vocals by Kylee Swenson of San Francisco-based electro pop band Loquat. The album also features a rare acoustic track by Fussible called “Last Night in Slussen,” about a neighborhood in Stockholm where Nortec has been very well received.
When we caught up with the guys at this year’s LAMC, they already had an idea about what was coming in the near future. They teased us with news of the new album (el cual todavía estaban grabando en el momento), and also talked about their new upcoming world tour.
We have more from Nortec Collective, after the jump!
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By Simone Hilliard
2010 officially belongs to Latina rappers, according to the Los Angeles Times. As Latin music continues to overlap mainstream markets, three noteworthy albums have a female MC at the helm, and Team Blogamole is happy to report we've been cheering these ladies on for some time.
Are you ready to be inspired? Sit back, relax, and enjoy some exclusive clips and highlights from our latest interactions with three talents on the rise.
Meet our upcoming (August 30!) Descubre & Download Artist and LAMC favorite, Ana Tijoux! Tr3s took notice after her collabo con Julieta Venegas on "Eres Para Mi" - but we've been all about her sound since her days as a member of Chilean hip-hop group Mazika.
We fell in love with Bomba Estéreo's Liliana Saumet at 2009's SXSW, and newcomer Goyo Martinez of Chocquibtown is definitely worth following. All thee musical powerhouses are signed to Nacional Records, an L.A. based Latin alternative label.
Tijoux - who
recently won the most most coveted spot on the iTunes charts for "
1977" - has also received props from
Radiohead's
Thom Yorke and describes her style as complex and contradictory:
"There isn't a logic or theory to what I do. I taught myself how to rap and eventually reached a fortuitous moment when I discovered my own style, or signature."
When Tr3s caught up with Ana at 2010's LAMC, she shared what she envisions for the future:
“I would like to make an album with African musicians. I would like to write a book, make documentaries, and do other stuff that interests me. Hip hop is an amazing music [style], but I think we’ve got to be more free in our creations.”
As fas as her next album, Tijoux has already kicked off her writing process.
We have more love for these three amazing artists, after the jump!
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Tags 2010 LAMC, Anita Tijoux, Bomba Estereo, ChocQuibTown, Descubre & Download, Exclusive, Goyo Martinez, photo, Photos, Video, Videos
By Elis T. Ortiz
Photo Credit: Bashira Webb
Para algunos, 8 p.m. may seem a little early to be pulled off your seat and onto the dance floor of a dimly lit NYC club. But when Brooklyn based new age electro-funk band Navegante hit the stage at Le Poisson Rouge on Friday night (August 6), we couldn’t help but get reeled in.
Navegante's Jean at Le Poisson Rouge
Jean’s bilingual vocals and cuatro (which we first discovered at LAMC), coupled with Washington’s percussion and Chris' light performance, all created a magnetic ambiance that wooed the senses and made us want to dance.
We sat down with the guys backstage, antes de navegar con ellos en su presentación, to learn more about the band, their influences, and what drives their music.
Meet Navegante and peep more hot photos, after the jump!
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By Michael Lopez
SB 1070 — the controversial Arizona immigration law — went into effect last week, to the dismay of protesters around the world. As we reported before, Mexican photojournalist Irineo Mujica Arzate participated in a hunger strike, Zack de la Rocha DID successfully reunite Rage Against the Machine for his Sound Strike, and there was a National Day of Non Compliance set up by numerous groups to protest the bill’s passing.
SB 1070 also happened to be a very hot topic at last month’s Latin Alternative Music Conference and when we sat down with Pacha Massive, they were quick to voice their disapproval:
“The law in Arizona is pure bullsh**t.” Nova told us. “You need to respect the laws of whatever country you happen to find yourself in, but when you see a law like that coming up to the surface you need to question what are the reasons and what are the purposes.”
Whether it’s their lyrics or their politics, you’ve got to admit that Pacha Massive always speaks from the heart.
What do you think about SB 1070 and the recent first arrest under the law? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!
By Elis T. Ortiz
By now, you’ve probably heard about the many entertainers — both Latino and mainstream — que se han unido en apoyo a los residentes inmigrantes de Arizona como parte del Sound Strike. The initiative, started by Zack de la Rocha, is an agreement by celebs who refuse to perform in the state as long as the controversial new bill SB 1070 is enforced.
Since Arizona’s bill will officially go into effect on July 29th, Rage Against the Machine is performing for The Sound Strike this Friday (July 23rd) at the Hollywood Palladium, as part of a “Stop SB 1070 Benefit Show.” This will be RATM’s first Los Angeles concert in the past ten years!
Proceeds are to provide resources for activist organizations looking to overturn the legislation and provide legal defense for Arizona residents.
Among the celebs joining the Arizona boycott are Miami-based alternative fusion rockers Locos Por Juana. We spoke to them at this year’s Latin Alternative Music Conference, and here’s what they had to say about SB1070 and joining The Sound Strike:
There was definitely a consensus among the artists at this year's LAMC that immigration reform is necessary, but they also agreed that Arizona’s SB 1070 is not the answer.
What’s your stance on Arizona’s SB 1070? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!
By Michael Lopez
Ever wondered what’s it like to be in the studio with Nelly Furtado? Luckily, Bajo Otra Luz collaborator Alex Cuba knows and he shared some insight when we sat down with him at last week’s Latin Alternative Music Conference.
The Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter co-wrote more than half of the songs on Nelly’s new Mi Plan album, including the title track duet.
“Nelly is still in love with music," Alex said. "Every time we write something cool, she will jump! She will be so excited about it! It’s inspirational and I love it.”
Cuba has taken home Juno Awards (Canada’s highest music honor), collaborated with Corinne Bailey Rae, and mastered the art of jazz-fusion guitar. Sounds like pairing him up with fellow northerner Nelly Furtado was a match that was meant to happen!
If you’re a fan of Mi Plan (like most critics across the world are), take a moment to check out Alex Cuba. His 2009 Alex Cuba album has tons of funk/jazz/pop experiments and he’s even hitting the road this Fall, with September performances at La Zona Rosa in Austin TX and Anaheim California’s House Of Blues!
You can find out more tour details at http://www.alexcuba.com. For more from our interview with Alex Cuba, check out our LAMC Video Playlist!
(photo by Bashira Webb for MTV Tr3s)
Did you like Alex and Nelly’s duet on Mi Plan? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!
By Simone Hilliard
Do we know how to pick 'em, or what? Ana Tijoux won the most coveted spot on the iTunes charts today (July 14) when her hit single "1977" was selected as the iTunes "Single Of The Week." Ah-mazing!
The track was recently plugged by Radiohead's Thom Yorke when it was featured on his playlist.
Amid her busy tour schedule, Tijoux rocked LAMC's Central Park showcase this past week and her tour will continue to Washington DC later this week and onward to California.
What else is in Ana's future? Watch what she shared with us about her creative goals:
With her new album 1977, Tijoux's jazzy vocals, sophisticated lyrics and hypnotic beats prove her abilities as an artist.
We have more from Ana, plus upcoming tour dates, after the jump!
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By Sharmaine Jones, with additional reporting by Elis T. Ortiz
Listen up, newbie artists! Nortec Collective's Bostich and Fussible are dropping science about the music industry. Before rocking their LAMC Concert last week (July 7), the duo blessed us with their time and presence.
Informed by over a decade of experience, Bostich provided insight on the darker side of the music business.
Watch a segment from our interview with Nortec Collective, after the jump!
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By Elis. T. Ortiz
There were many great highlights to this year’s Latin Alternative Music Conference in NYC, but one of our favorites had to be getting to chat with Argentinean reggae star Fidel Nadal. Este cantautor es todo un amor! From his easy going demeanor to his love-filled lyrics, Nadal exudes positivity and is more than happy to share the good vibes.
Fidel Nadal performs at 2010 LAMC
Raised within an artistic family has influenced him greatly, from his mother’s anthropology to having a film director for a dad. Nadal told us his father always encouraged him to give his best in everything he does, and he’s kept that advice close to heart. Even with over two decades in his musical profession, he maintains an upmost respect for the positive power of music.
Check out his thoughts on music’s impact in this clip from our interview:
Fidel's mega-hit single “International Love” has been well received all over the world, and even featured on EA Sports’ FIFA 10 fútbol video game soundtrack. We asked Nadal if he’s played the game, he told us his 10 year old son has and enjoys it very much. ¡Hay, que cute!
Take a look at Fidel Nadal’s “International Love” music video and let the good vibes roll!
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By Michael Lopez, with reporting by Elis T. Ortiz
We love catching Latin artists right on the cusp of their mainstream breakthrough. We’ve known about Chile’s Ana Tijoux for years (long live Makiza!), but there are still some hip-hop fans who have yet to experience her raw power on the mic. Thankfully, that’s totally about to change.
With her much hyped North American summer tour, and the massive buzz surrounding her 1977 album, Ana is now an undeniable force.
Team Blogamole is beyond psyched about these exclusive interviews we scored with her at last week’s Latin Alternative Music Conference! This is the prime “Way Back When” footage we’ll be talking about in five years, after Ana has won Grammys, Oscars, and a Nobel Prize for literature. Say what? Do we really think she’s capable of all that? You bet!
Watch Ana reveal all of her exciting ambitions to Tr3s:
“I would like to make an album with African musicians. I would like to write a book, make documentaries, and do other stuff that interests me. Hip hop is an amazing music [style], but I think we’ve got to be more free in our creations.”
African rhythms, novels, documentaries… We think it’s awesome that Ana’s looking to expand her creativity!
Are you feeling inspired yet? We have more from Ana Tijoux, after the jump!
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