New Video: Bajofondo - Lluvia

Bajofondo have a new video for their latest single, Lluvia off their album, Presente. To me the real beauty of this song are the poetry of the lyrics, about life's up and downs, and how we wait for the rain to cleanse the streets of city and get rid of the darkness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Gw7ZNifhqmo

If you live in the Los Angeles area, they will be in town at the  House of Blues Sunset Strip with Shuggie Otis on August 29th, 2013. 

I am back to posting!!!

Hello again!

After not posting much for almost over a month, I realized that I still want to do this and I will change the format slightly to include events in the L.A. area. 

At one point I will be switching to something else perhaps a website with a new more encompassing name but for now I will continue to post periodically. 

I do enjoy doing this and while the time away was good. 

There is just way too much good music out there that needs to disseminated.

Hope you are having a great summer. 

Regards, 
El Güido 

New Vid: NIN - Came Back Haunted

Nine Inch Nails are back with a new video for their single Came Back Haunted from their upcoming album Hesitation Marks due out September 3, 2013.

The video was directed by king of odd, David Lynch. Enjoy and try to not have a seizure while watching it.

http://youtu.be/1RN6pT3zL44

New Video: Café Tacvba - Aprovéchate

Fresh off their latest album El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco, Café Tacvba are back with their newest video for their single Aprovéchate.

The video was directed by Rubén Albarran (lead singer of the group.) The black and white video features a party with the awesome rockabilly-pin up-cholo-pachuco stylings of the attendees and a cross-dressing Rubén, cool low-rider bikes, old cars and lots of bad ass girls with pompadours. The band members are all dressed like an old school prom band. I have to say that I love Meme's vocals on here more than other tracks he has sung on before, he is quite the crooner on this track.

Enjoy!

    

 http://youtu.be/N9eroXvvCiI

New Vid: Q.U.E.E.N by Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu

Janelle Monáe is back with a new video for her single, Q.U.E.E.N. that features Badoula Oblongata aka another one of Erykah Badu's alter egos. Q.U.E.E.N. is the first single from Monáe’s upcoming album The Electric Lady, which doesn’t have a release date yet. It’s the follow-up to Monáe’s critically-acclaimed and amazing album, The ArchAndroid. 

The video is very stylish and Monáe even dons a chic new hairdo which looks great on her but I still love her with her iconic pompadour. Looking forward to hearing more from this album. 

For now, turn up the bass on your speakers and shake it because as the lyrics say, "the booty don't lie."

You can buy  Q.U.E.E.N on iTunes here. 

Enjoy & support! 

 

http://youtu.be/tEddixS-UoU

New Video: Bowie - The Next Day

David Bowie returns with a controversial new video for his title single, The Next Day that YouTube has already censored. It is still up on Vevo and after watching it I still can't determine why it is deemed inappropriate other than the subject matter of a church being a bloody nightclub, literally. Sure there is Gary Oldman playing a bad ass priest, a monk flogging himself, and a prostitute played Marion Cotillard that has projectile stigmata but there is no blatant nudity that violated YouTube's terms. I'm not saying that the images are not unsettling to some people but to be censored and banned seems a bit much. 

Take a look for yourself while you still can:

  

Collection of my published Remezcla articles (March 2013)

Here is a collection of articles that were published in Remezcla (March 2013)

Video: Bomba Estéreo - Caribbean Power
Below is an excerpt from the article published March 12, 2013:

Few bands come on to the music scene with so much intensity that the whole world notices and even fewer are able to build on that intensity and continue to create innovative music that transcends cultures. Colombia’s Bomba Estereo is one of these few bands. On their video for their second single, Caribbean Power, off last year’s excellent  Elegancia Tropical, they feature a live performance of the song that really captures the ferocity of their live shows and their new found love for the synthesizer.

You can read the rest & watch the video here:
http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/video-bomba-estereo-caribbean-power/

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Video: Carla Morrison - Disfruto
Below is an excerpt from the article published on March 12, 2013:

Carla Morrison is back with a music video for her new single Disfruto from her Grammy winning album, Dejenme Llorar. The video features Morrison singlehandedly acting out the feelings of the lyrics. The concept is very simple yet effective in its invocation of emotions. It begins off focus and in black and white where we see Morrison’s blurred silhouette sitting in front of a blank wall. As the focus adjusts she begins to act out and gesture the sentiments of the lyrics. When the camera zooms in to Morrison’s eyes, slowly color begins to appear on her lips and face and soon everywhere else. It’s a creative effort that really works especially when Morrison’s intense direct stare pierces the camera and connects with the viewer.

You can read the rest & watch the video here:
http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/video-carla-morrison-disfruto/ 

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Free Download: Royal Highness - Sakala Mois EP
Below is an excerpt from the article published on March 22, 2013:

Royal Highness mix big bass beats, tribal, kuduro, cumbia, and trap music in such a way that I guarantee they will get you bobbing your head and dancing on their inventive new EP, Sakala Mois. The EP features four brand new tracks from the Austin-based duo. The first track, Screwbal is a blend of 90’s era “chopped and screwed” music and tribal. The combination sounds odd but it works very well, it’s a jarring big bass track that demands to be heard at a loud volume to truly appreciate its grandeur. PuroPari features the vocals of NYC based Zuzuka Poderosa and is a great quirky dance song that pays to tribute to “el puro pinche pari.” The track Extra Large Kids is a full on electro kuduro banger that will get your heart raising and your hips shaking to the upbeat African inspired groove that dominates the track. The final track Fiesta Colombiano mixes many samples, merengue sounding beats and big bass music to create an aural experience unlike no other. It is a mash-up of cultures that seamlessly collides on the dance floor. Fiesta Colombiano is a prime example of the continuous evolution of the Latino sound that fuses traditional elements in innovative ways to create a musical identity for a new generation.

Read the rest and download the EP for free here: 
http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/free-download-royal-highness-sakala-mois-ep/

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Song Review: Los Macuanos - El Camotero
Below is an excerpt from the article published on March 26, 2013:

Los Macuanos are part of the Ruidosón revolution that exploded in the local Tijuana music scene and became internationally known for its brooding themes and big bass beats that coalesce the past and the current to create a fresh sound that represents the present and looks forward to the future. Los Macuanos have been making clever political statements and social commentary through their music.

You can read the rest and hear the song here: 
http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/listen-los-macuanos-el-camotero/

Hello, blogosphere!

I have been busy taking care of my friend and just being caught up with writing that I kind of neglected this blog for a bit. But stay tuned for new posts very soon. Thanks for your patience and for your support.

My latest for Remezcla: Maria y José

Ever heard of Ruidosón?

Meet and listen to María y José, the king of ruidosón & learn about the cultural phenenomenon coming out of Tijuana.

Below is an excerpt of my article published in Remezcla on3/11/13
 
Ruidosón is a cultural phenomenon that has taken over Tijuana and it can’t be mentioned without people associating it with Tony Gallardo aka Maria y José who has been at the forefront of this groundbreaking genre. Some of its creators go as far as describing it as a way of life rather than a genre. It picks up where Nortec left off.

Ruidosón is rooted in the dark sensibilities and noise of the modern city. It samples the sonic influences of yesteryear and melds it with the contemporary experiences and circumstances that many live in Tijuana. It is noisy, big bass beats and dance rhythms that were birthed by a new generation from the sinister bloodshed that has plagued the country for years. In a way, it could be said that ruidosón is a response to the violence and a way to cathartically release the frustration that many feel but don’t know how to express. It is a collision of cultures that explodes through the speakers rather than through weapons.

Click on the link below to read the rest & hear the new single, Ultra:
http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/listen-maria-y-jose-ultra/?=nocache4949

My Latest Remezcla Article: Review - La Santa Cecilia's EL Hielo (Ice)

Here's an excerpt of my latest article for Remezcla. This time it was a song review on the latest single for one of my favorite L.A. bands, La Santa Cecilia beautiful new single, El Hielo (Ice).  




from the article published in Remezcla on 2/7/13: 
 
There are an estimated 2.8 million immigrants living in the U.S. Many left their home countries in hopes of a better future and in pursuit of the illusive “American Dream.” These immigrants are part of a shadow workforce that faces daily barriers, live under persecution and with constant fear of being deported just to provide for their families. On their moving new single, “El Hielo (Ice),” La Santa Cecilia brings into the limelight some of the people that strive to survive, day in and day out. The tragically beautiful and melancholic track uses some of these stories as inspiration to address this poignant issue in a melodious way.

You can read the rest of the article and hear El Hielo (Ice) here: 

 http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/review-la-santa-cecilia-el-hielo-ice/ 

My latest Remezcla article: Mueran Humanos

Mueran Humanos (Die Humans) make some really trippy post-apocalyptic music and they have a new single. 

Read my review for Remezcla and you can listen to it their song on there as well:

http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/single-release-mueran-humanos-el-circulo/?=nocache21

Meet: ∆ alt-J (Coachella 2013 Artist)

English art rock group, ∆ (pronounced alt-J) recently won the coveted Mercury prize for their debut album An Awesome Wave. Take a listen to it, it's not for everybody but I do feel like it's the kind of album that grows on you with each listen. 

∆ (alt-J) play Coachella on Friday, April 12 & 19.




∆ (alt-J) were also recently featured on the Silver Linings Playbook soundtrack with a new track not on their debut album

They had one of my favorite videos of 2012 as well for their single, Breezeblocks:
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVeMiVU77wo 

Here are some additional videos from their debut album:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npvNPORFXpc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg6BwvDcANg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYjOVo5IEw

La Santa Cecilia signs with Universal Latino

Congratulations to one of L.A.'s best local bands, La Santa Cecilia who just got signed to Universal Latino.

Read the small article I wrote  for Remezcla about it:

http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/la-santa-cecilia-signs-with-universal-music-latin/

If you are in the L.A. area you can join them in celebrating their signing where it all began at Mucho Wednesday on February 13, 2013. See you there!

New video single - The Knife "Full of Fire"

Swedish brother & sister electro duo, The Knife have released their first single Full of Fire in seven years from their forthcoming album Shaking the Habitual. The single is an industrial synth anthem with great drum loops and is a whopping 9 minutes & 54 seconds but it really doesn't feel that long. The video for Full of Fire is a short film directed by Marit Östberg and it is just odd & artsy but what else can you expect from The Knife?

Shaking the Habitual is set be released April 9th and no U.S. tour dates have been announced yet although they do have some upcoming European festival dates.  

You can watch their new video right here:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoH6k6eIUS4&feature=player_embedded 

My latest Q & A - Raul y Mexia

Excerpt from my phone interview with the duo that was published in Remezcla:

Sons to Hernán Hernández, one of the key members of Mexico’s biggest norteño groups Los Tigres Del Norte, brothers Raul y Mexia have been touted as one of the Latin music acts to pay attention to in 2013. I did a phone interview with them right before the release of their first single “Las Escondidas” from their upcoming and highly anticipated debut album Arriba y Lejos. They shared stories of breaking into the industry at their own accord, about what life was like for them growing up, and how it has led them to the new musical venture they are embarking together. They lead to shift away from the shadow of their dad’s group to cement their own bicultural sound that others could relate to.

I heard the album and I noticed that you steered away from political content, was this a conscious effort or your behalf to not get categorized as a political group?

M: We did record a couple songs that unfortunately did not make the album. We wanted to stay away from that a little bit since we had already done that with “Todos Somos Arizona.” With this project, we really wanted to hit the pop market and make it a mainstream thing if possible, and so the idea was to do something bigger than what we did.

You can read the rest of the interview here:

 http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/raul-y-mexia-arriba-y-lejos-interview/

Live Review - Muse at Staples Center 1/24/12

I have been a fan of Muse since their first album and it wasn't until I finally saw them at The Mayan in Downtown L.A. that I became addicted to seeing them live. This show felt like they were way too big for the intimate venue, I had never seen anything like that and my ears were shocked and elated. 

I've now have seen Muse approximately seven times live and their last tour for The Resistance blew my mind. They were finally at the level where they could play the Staples Center and they trumped it and made this massive venue seem small with their set-up that included three towers which they performed in the center of.

I must admit that I was not a big fan of their latest album and was not as excited to see them live this time around but I was curious because I knew they were going to bring it. So at the last minute, after finally getting over a cold, we got tickets and damn did they bring it!

Muse has taken arena rock to a new level with astounding visuals projected on suspended screens above the stage that lowered and raised positions. Throw in pyrotechnics, lasers and Muse's explosive sound and you have an experience like no other. Of course all of this helped me enjoy the newer songs more but I was very happy to hear some classic Muse anthems.  This time Muse fit the Staples Center just right not only with their sound but with their stage theatrics. My ears were grateful but my eyes were even more so.  

The only thing that distracted me from the show was the announcement of the Coachella lineup. It was announced during Muse's second song and I had to look at it but Muse demanded my attention and I succumbed.     

 

 

 

Coachella 2013 lineup!

Seeing the Coachella lineup is like opening a present. Some years you can't believe what you got & go crazy. Other times it feels like a regift but at the bottom of the box there are always gems that you have to find. I'm never disappointed because it's always a gift that I love...live music.

What I'll be doing in the next few months is sharing those discoveries I think you should check out if you are going to Coachella. If you are going to go anyway why not take advantage and see new acts you've never heard of. 

See you in the desert!
(and if you don't go, well you just discovered new music and it never hurts to do so) 

My favorite music vids of 2012 (final part)

I know 2012 is long gone but I wanted to include the last four videos that make my list of my 10 favorite videos of 2012 complete so I can move on. I promise no more 2012 posts.

Yo se que el 2012 ya se fue hace tiempo pero queria incluir los últimos cuatro videos para completar mi lista de mis 10 videos favoritos del 2012 y así seguir adelante. Les prometo ya no poner mas posts del 2012.

Two Against One - Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi feat. Jack White:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF_C7BvAf_A

This one psychedelic animated trip that fits the mood of the song perfectly. It's short too making repeated views very easy to do. 

Este video es viaje psicodélico de animación que concuerda con el estado de animo de la canción. El video esta corto así que es fácil verlo repetidas veces.


Alex Anwandter - Cómo Puedes Vivir Contigo Mismo?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWaf8Ndcr18

This was not only one of my favorite songs of 2012 but the video is great and masterfully executed. It is Chilean singer Alex Anwandter's ode to the extraordinary 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning (<---which you can watch on youtube for free!) The lighting, the dancing, the fierceness and then of course the awesomeness of this song all works so well.
As RuPaul said, "You better work!"

 Esta no solo fue una de mis canciones favoritas del 2012 pero este video em encanta y fue ejecutado muy maestralmente. Es un tributo del cantante Chileño Alex Awandter de la documental extraordinaria de 1990 Paris Is Burning (<--- la cual puedes ver gratis en youtube.) La iluminación, los bailes, la ferocidad y por supuesto lo sensacional de esta cancion funciona todo conjunto. 
Como dijo RuPaul " You better work!"  


Björk - Mutual Core:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM80F_J-QHE

 This video is the most creative and original of all the videos I chose. Björk is unique and this video is arguably one of the bests videos this great artist has ever done.

Este video es el mas creativo y original de todos los que elegí. Björk es única y este video es posiblemente uno de los mejores que ha hecho esta gran artista.    


Clase Media - Sol Pereyra:

I love the concept of this video & the animation is really cute. What a creative way to criticize the middle class's complacency while maintaning a sense of humor about it.

Me encanta el concepto de este video y la animacion se me hace muy curiosa. Que manera creativa de criticar a la auto-complacencia de la clase media sin dejar el sentido de humor.

     

Tip: How to win concert tickets

Last year was my most auspicious one when it came to winning concert tickets. 
I won 25 pairs of tickets from various websites, blogs, and venues. The first few wins people were like "wow, you are so lucky." By the 10th win many people were like "how the hell are you doing this? What is your secret?" 

My response to them was there is no secret, just look for the contests and enter them. 

Some of my wins were pure luck (drawings) and some I looked for them and stayed on top of contests. So maybe there is a little more to it than that and I will share some of these tips with you here. 
 
Venues allot a certain number of tickets for promotion. 
They give these tickets away to other places to help promote the event. 

Knowing this why wouldn't you want to enter these contests and giveaways?  


First tip: Use your social media!
Start  Facebook and Twitter  accounts if you don't have either. If you have one but not the other, I  recommend you have both since it can increase your chances of winning. Most people's response is I don't get Twitter and don't need it. You can only use it for the sole purpose of winning tickets. It's not going to hurt you to have it open in any way.


Second Tip: Follow wisely! (sounds like an oxymoron, but this is when following really works) 
Now that you have your social media accounts use them wisely. Follow venues, concert promoters, music blogs, artists you like, radio stations and other sites or pages you know will give away tickets or have contests. 


Third tip: Follow the instructions!
Many people enter contests without paying attention to the details of what the giveaway or contest states. Make sure to pay attention and follow through. Pay attention to contest guidelines and deadlines.

Fourth Tip: Search for contests & giveaways 
This is very simple, the contests and giveaways are out there so look for them!


Yes, this can take some time but if the rewards are worth it then you shouldn't mind the work. 
I didn't go into crazy details about some of these tips because a true magician never reveals all of his tricks. I do hope this helps you out. 

Good Luck!  

New Song - Bajofondo: Pide Piso

It has been over 5 years since the electronic tango group Bajofondo fronted by super producer Gustavo Santaolalla released their superb Mar Dulce. They recently finished a U.S. tour where they shared live several new compositions from their upcoming release. 

We now know that Bajofondo's new album titled Presente will be released on March 5th, 2013. 

According to Santaolalla the album's title Presente refers to the music that Bajofondo is currently making. The album will feature an astonishing 21 tracks! 

We have a preview of one of these many tracks in the form of a video. Enjoy and put on your tango dancing shoes!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoGcWeHDlOc

 

Track Listing for Presente:

1. Intro
2. Código de barra
3. Segundos afuera
4. Pide piso
5. Nocturno
6. Pena en mi corazón
7. Caminante
8. La trufa y el sifón
9. Sabelo
10. Patrás
11. Oigo Voces
12. Cuesta arriba
13. Rendezvous
14. Lluvia
15. Noviembre
16. Circular
17. A repechaje
18. Milongón
19. Así es (Propergol)
20. Olvidate
21. Outro