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[10/18] Preview: Chicano Batman at The Sahara Lounge

October 18, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

Chicano Batman Sahara

Tonight and every Saturday night at popular East Side hot spot The Sahara Lounge plays host to the weekly Africa night residency with house band Zoumountchi. Before each set from Zoumountchi, which usually takes place at midnight, there is always one or two special guest bands from the world or Latin music genres. Tonight’s special guest is Los Angeles-based tropical soul band, Chicano Batman.

Formed in 2008, Chicano Batman released their self-titld, debut full-length album via Unicornio Records in 2009. The album was a great example of their hybrid sound that fuses elements of The Latin Brothers, Willie Colon, and the Brazillian sounds of Caetano Veloso along with closet-full of influences spanning the world over.  The group is currently on a tour they’ve labeled the #OuterCityLimits (#OCL), calls into question the lack of bands of color at festivals such as Austin City Limits. Their latest album Cycles of Existential Rhyme is available now.

The Sahara Lounge is located at 1413 Webberville Rd. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. 21+ welcome. $10 cover. Visit the Facebook event page here. Chicano Batman performs at 10 p.m. DJ jLa opens at 9 p.m.

Listen to Cycles of Existential Rhyme from Chicano Batman below.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: chicano batman, Latin Alternative, previews, the sahara lounge

Feature: Chicano Batman on what inspires their sound, touring Japan and returning to Austin

October 10, 2013 By Jessica Ramirez

Chicano Batman
LA’s Chicano Batman is getting dressed up and crossing their fingers that they play in Austin next March after the release of their new album in the fall. Promo photo by Lorena Endara.

Last year Chicano Batman had a brief encounter with the city of Austin. They enjoyed the city’s culture, vibe and of course the tacos! Now they are on a quest to bring their groovy-funky-psychedelic sounds to next year’s South By Southwest Festival (SXSW). I talked with Chicano Batman’s—bassist and songwriter—Eduardo Arenas to get the scoop on what influences their music, what’s in store for them and their upcoming tour in Japan.

Chicano Batman came together when members of the band met each other and bonded through their love of 1960s and 1970s music from the tropicalismo movement—much of where their sound comes from. The band’s name credit goes to Bardo Martinez—vocalist and guitarist—who also happens to be the artist of the bunch.

“He was drawing a Batman and then he added a little Latino mustache on him, you know, not a full mustache but the Latino whiskers we all get,” says Arenas. “He put a little cape on him with a muscle shirt and cutoff Dickies to make him look like a ’90s gangster. He was like ‘Hey check it out Chicano Batman’.”

ChicanoBatmanLogo
Chicano Batman logo.

Then came the band’s iconic logo, which is a combination of the Batman logo and the United Farm Workers logo.

“Some people think it’s cute, powerful or inspiring. Others think it’s an Aztec Batman because the blocks look like an Aztec pyramid,” says Arenas. “Whatever it is, we love all interpretations.”

Chicano Batman’s music is inspired by the older cumbias from the ’60s and ’70s. They try to emulate the nostalgic sound of vinyl with warm and fat tones. Through their music they try to recreate the aesthetic that inspires them.

“The way we fall in love with the music is through the way it sounds. Not a lot of people pay attention to the aesthetic of the sound nowadays,” says Arenas. “When we write our songs and when we play live we want a fat bass and a lot of reverb. Just like it was standard back in the day. We use instruments and techniques that we’ve inherited from that era to get the real sound.”

That being said Chicano Batman’s sound has evolved from the way it was when they first started out. According to Arenas, their first album was more free and open and “jammy”, whereas now they are more meticulous with their arrangements.

“Just like with every band and every relationship, we’re growing and we’re evolving,” says Arenas. “We’ll pick up gear along the way and we’ll use it on a song or two and experiment with it. We might even decide to not use it. It’s natural for us to go in the direction of ’70s sound because that is where our heart is but we try our best to sound modern and find what pleases the ear.”

The band recently applied to perform at SXSW so keep your fingers crossed. They are ready to share their music with a new audience that is ready for some culture and Austin might just be the place for them.

“We are excited about the possibility of getting to play in Austin because it is a crucial stepping stone for us,” says Arenas. “Some friends went out there last year and saw a lot of electronic music. It’s good to know that we’re not competing with any of that since we are bringing the original thing. I know there are people just waiting to hear and experience something different, something real.”

Interestingly enough the band has a following in Japan, which ultimately led to a tour there next month. It all began when Shin Miyata—founder

Chicano Batman photo by Jessica Augustine.
Chicano Batman photo by Jessica Augustine.

of Barrio Gold Records—saw them perform in Los Angeles. He enjoyed their music so much he offered to sell their albums at his store in Japan.

Believe it or not Japan has a niche Chicano scene complete with the soul, vibe and aesthetics of the culture. It could possibly be that Miyata’s passion for the Chicano culture and his mission to share it with everyone launched this scene in Japan. Thanks to Miyata, Chicano Batman was invited to tour in Japan on Nov. 6 through 13.

“It’ll be very fun for us to be a part of that experience because we’re hoping Chicano Batman can be the soundtrack to the scene over there,” says Arenas. “It’ll be like a warped reality on the other side of the world but as a band you can only hope to connect like that with fans in other places through your music.”

Before leaving to tour Japan, Chicano Batman took some time off from performing to work on a new full-length album. It’s been about five years since their debut album and Arenas says the albums in between have been more of appetizers to keep their fans from starving. The new long-play album—in the mixing stages right now—is expected to have 14 tracks inspired by soul, cumbia, funk, rancheras, salsa and Brazilian music.

The album will include music that was written as far as six years ago. It has taken a lot of time, work and sacrifice to cultivate the sound but musically they’ve only begun to scratch the surface. Arenas says the new music is very meaningful, honest and passionate.

“We’re paying homage to the same musical era that we grew up listening to—including the ruffled tuxedo shirts and bow ties,” says Arenas. “If we’re together 20 years from now, we’re going to be making absolutely beautiful music if we continue to commit to keeping old musical traditions alive.”

When asked what his favorite part about creating music was, Arenas simply answered:

“The beautiful thing about writing and creating music is the way in which the lyrics, the melody and the rhythm that you put together speaks to people. Music moves people in an emotional and psychological way that sometimes words alone can’t.”

Chicano Batman’s most recent extended-play album Magma is out now. Their second full-length album will release internationally this fall and domestically next spring—hopefully around the same time they perform at SXSW. In the meantime take a little time to listen to their EP, Magma.

Filed Under: Events, Slider Tagged With: chicano batman, feature, interview, los angeles

[11/1] La Santa Cecilia & Chicano Batman at Flamingo Cantina

October 30, 2012 By Austin Vida Staff

East L.A. is taking over Flamingo Cantina this Thursday, November 1, for Dia de los Muertos. Two of the best Latin Alternative bands in the country will share the stage for one incredible night of live music. Attendees will enjoy the psych-rock meets tropicalia stylings of Chicano Batman and the Latin roots rock vibe of headliners La Santa Cecilia.

Chicano Batman’s music is inspired by early ’70s Latino-American soul, ’60s Brazilian Tropicalia, cumbias and psychedelic music. The vintage ruffled tuxedo-clad quartet from are touring in support of their new four-track EP Joven Navegante. Chicano Batman perform at 10 p.m.

Fronted by the dynamic “La Marisoul,” headliners La Santa Cecilia bring together traditional Mexican folk music with Latin soul you can dance to. Think Linda Ronstadt singing for a funkier version of  Texas Tornados. The Latin Grammy nominated group is no stranger to Austin as they drew a large crowd at this year’s Pachanga Fest in May and again in August at Flamingo Cantina.

Flamingo Cantina is located at 515 East 6th Street. Doors open at 9 p.m. Cover is $7. 21+ welcome.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: chicano batman, dia de los muertos, flamingo cantina, la santa cecilia, preview

[10/30] Preview: Chicano Batman at Sahara Lounge

October 29, 2012 By Austin Vida Staff

promo photo by Carmen Luceno

This week Austin music venues are bringing their “A” game this week for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. The first show we want to spotlight this week will be happening Tuesday, October 30, at The Sahara Lounge. The East Austin neighborhood venue on Webberville is formerly TC’s Lounge. Making a stop there Tuesday night will be East Los Angeles-based Chicano Batman.

Inspired by early ’70s Latino-American soul, ’60s Brazilian Tropicalia, cumbias and psychedelic music, the vintage ruffled tuxedo-clad quartet from are touring in support of their new four-track EP Joven Navegante. This will be the band’s first performance of two in Austin this week. Chicano Batman perform at 10 p.m.

The Sahara Lounge is located at 1413 Webberville Rd. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cover is $5. Music starts at 8:30 p.m with Dana Wheeler and Friends. 21+ welcome.  cover. Free parking. Visit the event page on Do512 here.

Listen to Joven Navegante by Chicano Batman below.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: chicano batman, los angeles, preview, sahara lounge

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