February 3, 2021
Descubre en Especial...
Bomba Estereo has announced their first album in 4 years...
Venezonix has a debut album out this week...
Y musica nueva y local de Katiria:
Este noche a 10p en Indie 102.3!
January 11, 2021
Musica Nueva: Tropa Magica
I've been a fan of los hermanos Pacheco since the Thee Commons days. They've been in the CPR Performance studio as Thee Commons, and as we know them today - Tropa Magica. Last year, they released the album Tripiando Al Infinito En Mi Recamara, and just released this video for the song, "Chalino Y Sus 7 Balasos."
Escuche mas de Tropa Magica en Especial!
December 18, 2020
Musica Nueva: B.A.R.D.O.
Conocemos Bardo - he's released music in the past under Bardo Martinez, he's a part of one of our favorite bands here at Especial, and he's just an all around cool dude. Today begins a new chapter for Bardo, though - with a brand new solo single, and upcoming album. On his Instagram, with a still of the new music video, he writes:
BARDO is the name my parents gave me. It is now my NEW artist name/ no last name/ just BARDO.
"Take My Hand" is released today:
December 12, 2020
Los Mocochetes "Rocks" Video Debut
The latest release from Denver’s Los Mocochetes is over four years old, but could have been penned this summer - inspired by unrest surrounding the murder of multiple Black citizens and the protests that followed fueled by police brutality. Not to mention rampant gentrification and political upheaval in our community and throughout the country. But, if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that these issues have just been freshly found by a minority of the population - boiling just under the surface, but a reality for many of the country’s marginalized communities. These issues are not new, but now, more than ever, the message needs to be heard.
Los Mocochetes, a Chicano funk band, create protest music you can dance to - and much of their catalogue is filled with catchy tunes that get stuck in your head and get you off your seat and on to the dance floor.
“Rocks” is more of a call to action. Instead here, Los Mocochetes have crafted a tune that absolutely gets stuck in your head - but with the melodic flow telling the tale of police relations towards Black and Brown folks. You will want to get off your seat, but past the dance floor and out into the street. The tempo is slowed down so you don’t miss a word. It is an account of life in Denver and the United States that not only calls for action, but details why.
The video, directed by the band’s own Jozer Guerrero, is in honor of and celebrates the lives of George Floyd, Elijah McClain, Mike Brown and Breonna Taylor. Filmed on the streets of Denver, it also features the work of local muralist, Detour 303. The band is also raising funds for the family of McClain,who died from an injection of ketamine by Aurora police in August of 2019.
I got to speak with Joshua Randy Abeyta and Elias Garcia of the band ahead of the premiere via Instagram, and check out the video here:
December 2, 2020
Helado Negro x Xenia Rubinos
Earlier this year, Helado Negro teamed up with Xenia Rubinos to make one of the sweetest summer tunes, "I Fell In Love." Just yesterday, they released the socially distanced video:
November 13, 2020
Chicano Batman Live from The Hollywood Bowl
Soooo we all miss live music. I particularly miss the bois in Chicano Batman (best UMS 2019? Maybe.) The last time I saw Chicano Batman was about a year ago, at the Tropicália Music and Taco Festival en LA (overview of the weekend here), where they formally announced the new album, Invisible People, and debuted three new songs (do not remember which ones, I was just so excited for a new album, honestly).
Invisible People came out on May 1, 3 months after the pandemic hit California officially - and although they'd announced a tour with Le Butcherettes (with a show slated for Denver on May 16th), that obviously never transpired. And although they've played several streamed sessions, their first set on a stage took place with SOUND/STAGE at the famed Hollywood Bowl (you know, where the Beatles also performed, nbd). Beautiful shots of the venue and... at least some semblance of a live CB set.
The band does have their Invisible People tour scheduled for 2021 (May 20! Denver!) SO WEAR YA DAMN MASKS SO WE CAN ACTUALLY GO (and more importantly save our beloved venues).
Check out my interview with the full band about Invisible People with a walk through each song, too:
October 13, 2020
La Quinceañera Lido Pimienta en NPR Tiny Desk
Check out Lido Pimienta's NPR Tiny Desk At Home concert!
Lido Pimienta's debut, full length album, Miss Colombia, is a strong contender for my favorite album of the year... Si no lo has escuchado - do it now:
