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Chico Trujillo to release ‘Reina de Todas las Fiestas’ in June

May 28, 2015 By Estefania de Leon

Chico TrujilloChilean cumbia group Chico Trujillo is set to release their new album, Reina de Todas Las Fiestas on June 23. This follows up their 2012 album El gran pecador. The album was recorded in Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and Chile and aims at creating a pan Latin-American sound. Their past music included a lot of cumbia-based influences but is evolving to incorporate a variety of cultures into Chile’s past through their songs.

Reina de Todas Las Fiestas includes collaborations with Banda Wiracocha, a 30-piece brass ensemble, and Argentinean rockers Kevin Johansen and Álvaro Henriquez of Los Tres. The new record is trying to redefine the South American identity through a universal understanding that is not confined by its Chilean roots or cumbia. They are doing this by incorporating Argentinean slang, Mexican ranchera, and rock to an Andean edge that aims to put an emphasis on Northern Chile’s carnival music.

Chico Trujillo is from Villa Aleman, a small town a few miles from Valparaiso, Chile. Founded in 1999, they have become one of Chile’s most important orchestras. There are eight members which include Juan Gronemeyer on drums and percussion, Michael Magliocchetti on voice and guitar, Tuto Vargas on bass, Sebastian Cabezas on trumpet, Tio Rodi on percussion, Luis Tabilo on trombone, Felita on the saxophone, and Macha Asenjo on guitar and voice.

For more information on Chico Trujillo and their upcoming album, Reina de Todas Las Fiestas, visit their website at www.chicotrujillo.com.

Filed Under: Music, News Tagged With: chico trujillo, chile, new album, south america

Chilean indie stars Alex Anwandter and Gepe to release collaboration album ‘Alex & Daniel’

July 7, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

Chileans
Chile’s most celebrated pop pioneers Alex Anwandter and Daniel Riveros (Gepe). Photo courtesy of Nacional Records.

Alex Anwandter and Gepe, two of Chile’s most popular indie stars, announced that they will come together to release a collaborative album Alex & Daniel on Aug. 19 via Nacional Records. According to the official press release, the two were brought together by a mutual admiration of the other’s music. Latin Alternative fans can expect an album composed of Chilean dance-pop and heartfelt balladry.

Daniel Riveros, otherwise known as Gepe, began his musical career playing with Chilean singer Javiera Mena. His solo career has been a major influence on the emerging new Chilean pop sound, with a combination of folk and electronic music with contemplative songwriting and undeniably catchy melodies.

Alex Anwandter, celebrated by critics and fans alike as the “Prince of Chilean Pop,” is one of the leading names of Chile’s new vibrant pop scene. Alex Anwandter brought together 80’s-influenced dance music to his debut solo album Rebeldes, released in 2013 via Nacional Records.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: alex anwandter, chile, Gepe, indie, nacional records

Q&A Interview: Chile’s DJ Raff & Latin Bitman head for an eclectic future in RVSB

August 5, 2013 By Isabela Raygoza

Chilean DJs/producers DJ Raff and Latin Bitman make up Nacional Records artist RVSB. Courtesy photo.

Buddy movie pitch: A former one-man punk musician grounded in old school hip-hop teams up with innovative craftsman to create a whole new sonic level of EDM amalgamated with trap, tech house and Chicago juke.

Meet RVSB, composed of Latin Bitman and DJ Raff – two of the most imaginative DJs/producers to come out of the Chilean scene. They both hail from an extensive journey of collaborations and touring alongside, as well as from Santiago’s progressive hip-hop scene tracing back since the ‘90s. A few months ago, they released their self-titled debut where they deliver one of the most compelling DJ productions of the year as of yet.

We met up at the New Yorker Hotel, a few days after their riveting LAMC performance at Bronx’ Cotrona Park, to discuss their new self-titled album via Nacional Records (available in iTunes), DJ skill vs. great taste in music, and their most outrageous experiences in music.

Before you guys became Latin Bitman and DJ Raff, how were your early stages with music and DJing?

Latin Bitman: I first started playing instruments at the age of 15 or 16 in a punk way. I never really studied music [formally]. I began playing drums, then bass, and afterwards guitar. I didn’t need a rehearsal room or a band to play music, and that was a good thing because transitioning from [a solo man] playing instruments to becoming a producer was second nature. Computers came into my life in the ‘90s along with music software. From there, I realized I was able to do anything I wanted with computers. That was when turntables came into the picture. One day I woke up and had my own songs, so I started DJing in clubs. I never stopped to realize how this happened, but that was my own evolution. Computers and machines allowed me to do anything I wanted to create in songs.

DJ Raff: My beginnings in music were similar, with the exception that I didn’t play guitar or drums. When I was a child, I built curiosity with the way machines work. I started to open up radios trying to understand them. I had a little turntable that was my father’s, so I started scratching and pushing buttons. When the first computer came into my house, I immersed.

‘RVSB’ is available now from Nacional Records.

Both of you have been active DJing for quite a while. What made this duo finally come together?

Latin Bitman: Both Raff and I have been working together in between collaborations and playing together for over 10 years in Chile – from doing “versus” collaborations to turntablism and scratching. We’ve been hip-hop DJs the whole time, and just last year we decided to become a team and make this record [RVSB]. As a surprise for our public, and even for us, there is no scratching, and almost no hip-hop. It’s a lot more electronic because this is the time we are living right now in our career. We’ve had a great reception all over the world. We do music that is very global — from some Latin influences that you can taste and beyond. It’s what we do.

How similar or different is the DJ scene in Chile from the US?

DJ Raff: There are more similarities than differences. The DJ scenes in the US and Chile have the same vibe. It keeps growing bigger and bigger. A lot of cool DJs with lots of skill [in both countries] are experimenting with turntablism and scratching. Many DJs and producers are also making electronic music. The good thing about that is that they can create something in the afternoon and then play it at night. Nowadays, the world becomes smaller in the sense that this scene is global. If there’s something going on in London, New York, or Santiago, it’s going to be worldwide.

Since you guys emerged ten years ago, how have you personally seen this scene evolve and progress?

DJ Raff: DJing is very important right now. When I started at 12 or 13 years old, I was DJing in birthday parties. The people [running the parties] would place me in the kitchen to play music for the kids from there. Similarly, in the clubs back in the ‘80s, DJs had a DJ booth that was very far from the dance floor. It wasn’t like nowadays, where the DJ is an artist on the platform, and everyone in attendance is watching him [or her]. It’s constantly withstanding evolution.

What do you call a great DJ?

DJ Raff: When I first started, it was the skill – DJs who have lots of it. Nowadays, I look for DJs that have good taste. I prefer taste over skill because you can go to a place where you don’t know the DJ, but if he plays a lot of cool and fun things, it becomes the best party. For me, that’s the best thing in a DJ, as well as those who try to do something different. That’s what I’m looking for.

Latin Bitman: For me it’s quite different. If you see a DJ that has good taste in music, that’s important, however if he has skill that attracts me. I look for everything, from the production of the album to their DJing skills in the club.

Who are your influences right now?

Latin Bitman: I have a lot of influences from James Brown to Bob Marley to Kraftwork. It’s very open. I like rock, hip-hop, and Run DMC. Probably that’s why in my music there are a good mix of different styles.

DJ Raff: Nowadays, I’m listening to a lot of music from labels here in the States, for example Tri-angle Records, and also Warp Records from London. Basically, anything that is cutting edge.

What else is in stock for you this year?

Latin Bitman: We are premiering our first video together. It’s a huge video with a new concept. You will see the essence of Latin American culture with a universal concept. It’s very modern and has a very good taste visually. Expect something new and different for Latin alternative music and Chilean music.

Last question: for the time you’ve been active musically, I’m sure you’ve seen a lot. But from your memory, what has been the most outrageous experience?

Latin Bitman: Everything. It’s been over 10 years. I don’t even know where to start, but it’s usually always drunk people who do things that you don’t expect.

DJ Raff: I remember around 15 years ago when Marilyn Manson came to Chile. I was backstage watching the show and at the time, I didn’t even know who Marilyn Manson was, but only that he was big. All of a sudden, he started fighting with the sound engineer, beating the shit out of him right next to me. I thought: what the hell is going on?! The sound engineer was bleeding and everything. That was outrageous.

Filed Under: Events, Slider Tagged With: chile, DJ Raff, Latin Bitman, rvsb

Texas Performing Arts presents U.S. Premier of Sin Sangre

February 26, 2013 By Austin Vida Staff

Texas Performing Arts presents Chilean Theatre Company Teatrocinema performing the U.S. Premiere of 'Sin Sange (WITHOUT BLOOD)' on March 21-22.

The Texas Performing Arts will be presenting the U.S. premiere of Sin Sangre on March 21 and 22 starting at 8 p.m. at the McCullough Theatre in conjunction with the Chilean Theatre Company, Teatrocinema, and the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American studies and the department of theatre and dance. The film will be presented in Spanish with English subtitles.

The film is an adaptation of a novella by Italian author and playwright Alessandro Baricco. The dark film creates a lot of tension similar to that of a 1960s B-movie thriller. The movie itself is about a man and his two children—a young girl and a boy—who are surrounded by three armed men who are there looking for vengeance on the man known as the ‘Hyena’ who was celebrated for his cruelty with enemy prison inmates during the war. The man only has time to hide his daughter, but is soon killed along with his son. One of the men finds the daughter, but takes pity and does not rat her out. However, in the future she comes back looking for vengeance on her father and brother’s deaths and only one of the men is left for to kill.

Teatrocinema is a theatre company from Chile whose mission is to create a fusion of cinema and theatre. The Texas Performing Arts will be presenting them through their ArtesAméricas which promotes cultural dialogue in the Americas through the performing arts. For more information on ArtesAméricas, visit their website.

The McCullough Theatre is located on 2350 Robert Dedman Drive. Tickets are available for $32, $10 student tickets, and discounted tickets for UT faculty and staff, seniors and military. They are already on sale at authorized ticket outlets including the Bass Concert Hall Box Office, most H-E-B stores and all Texas Box Office outlets, online at texasperformingarts.org, or by calling 512-477-6060 or 800-982-2386.

Sinopsis de Sin Sangre. from Teatrocinema on Vimeo.

Filed Under: City & Culture Tagged With: chile, preview, teatrocinema, texas performing arts, theatre

Watch: “Colombo” music video by Astro

October 30, 2012 By Austin Vida Staff

Courtesy Photo

With the growing talent emerging from Chile, Astro is one more to be added to the list. With each lighthearted,danceable synth-heavy single they release, the group seems to be taking the lead as the “it” indie-electro band this side of MGMT. The quartet is composed of Andrés Nusser, Daniel Varas, Octavio Cavieres and Nicolás Arancibia. No stranger to Austin, the group made their U.S. debut at this year’s South by Southwest. Aside from them being a recent addition to the Nacional Records, their music is now featured on the EA Sports FIFA 13 video game as well as Bloomingdale’s new advertising campaign.

The band recently premiered the music video for “Colombo” from their self-titled album. Directed by Carlos Rincones, who has worked with Robert Rodríguez, Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth, the Chilean Andes Mountains serve as the backdrop for the band’s quirky and playful adventure. After having the sacred stone Colombo stolen, the people of the mountains must fight with three creatures to recover it. All is well, happy and peaceful on the magical mountains once the stone is back on its altar. The best part is the irrelevant and imaginative lyrics. They’re nothing but nonsensical fun and the video captures that quality just perfectly.

Watch the “Colombo” music video below:

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: astro, chile, colombo, indie, music video

Chilean indie rock band ASTRO to release U.S debut on Nacional Records

August 21, 2012 By Austin Vida Staff

photo courtesy of Nacional Records

Chilean electro-rock band ASTRO is the latest band to get a U.S. debut from Latin alternative tastemaker label Nacional Records. Often compared to American bands MGMT or Crystal Castles, the Santiago-based band may just be the next big thing to come out of Chile. Founded in 2008, ASTRO is composed of members Octavio Cavieres, Nicolás Arancibia, Daniel Varas and Andrés Nusser.

ASTRO made their U.S. debut here in Austin this past March at South By Southwest. Their self-titled U.S. debut album will be released via Nacional Records on September 4. Watch the music video for the lead single “Ciervos” below.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: astro, chile, nacional records

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