la vida buena

[6/19] Preview: Peligrosa at Empire Control Room & Garage

June 19, 2015 By Ian Morales

Peligrosa poster Tonight marks the third Friday of the month and that means it is time for Austin-based Latin DJ collective Peligrosa to take over Empire Control Room & Garage. While the DJs from Peligrosa spin the best in Latin electrónica on the patio, live music will be provided on the Control Room stage inside by Austin-based bands La Frenetika and La Vida Buena.

Peligrosa is the longest running dance party in Austin. Be ready to be in pictures all over the internet as Peligrosa photographer Quito will be taking photos. For more about Peligrosa, watch the KLRU documentary series Arts In Context episode featuring the collective here.

La Frenetika offer an array of covers and original music that fuses elements of Colombian style cumbia, vallenato, gozadera and other traditional Latin rhythms. Expect lots of dancing, a great crowd of regulars and a big sound.

Austin-based hip-hop/salsa group La Vida Buena are some of our favorite party starters. Lead by member Louie “Luison” Alarcon, the group performs original tracks from their debut EP ¡Checkpoint Alpha! as well as salsa-fied covers of popular hip-hop and R&B tracks.

Long story short, as my colleague and Tejano beat writer Piper Lemoine always says, the Peligrosa party is the best party in Austin and arguably the country for Latin music lovers. It is where old school meets the new that all can truly enjoy.

Empire Control Room & Garage is located at 606 E. 7th Street. Doors open at 10 p.m. 18+ welcome. Cover will be $5 for 21+ and $10 for 18+. Visit the Facebook event page here.

Peligrosa

La Vida Buena

La Frenetika

[5/8] Preview: Pachanga Kick-Off Party at Spider House Ballroom

May 6, 2015 By Ian Morales

Friday, May 8, the folks at Austin Music Foundation are presenting the Pachanga kick0ff party at Spider House Ballroom. The fest is less than two weeks away and Friday’s kickoff is a great way to get in the mood for the annual Latin music Fest. Austin-based groups Macaxeira Funk, La Vida Buena and Kiko Villamizar all perform.

Macaxeira Funk is a Brazilian-inspired funk band whose music is an infectious mixture of (mostly) Portuguese lyrics, samba and funk. The group is fronted by Frederico Geib, whom many will know from Austin-based groups Os Alquimistas, Frederico 7 and Suns of Orpheus. There are more familiar faces in the brass section as many are seasoned veterans from other Austin bands new and old, including Cilantro Boombox and La Guerrilla. The group is currently in the works on a debut release.

Singer-songwriter Kiko Villmizar is the first artist to release an album on the newly founded Discos Peligrosa from Peligrosa frontman Orion Garcia. Villamizar released his debut album, La Remolacha, in January. His music combines Afro-Colombian styles with strong Caribbean and South American influences. On May 7, Villamizar will celebrate the city of Austin declaring a “Kiko Villamizar Day.”

Spider House Ballroom is located at 2906 Fruth Street. Doors open at 8 p.m. All ages welcome. $10 cover. Visit the Facebook event page here.

Macaxeira Funk

La Vida Buena

Kiko Villamizar

[1/9] Preview: Como Las Movies, Cilantro Boombox & more at Holy Mountain

January 7, 2015 By Ian Morales

While the last leg of 2015’s Free Week happens this weekend, Latin music fans are not left without a proper showcase. Friday night, Jan. 9, Red River hot spot Holy Mountain is the place to be, especially if you missed our Austin Vida Free Week showcase last week at Spider House Ballroom. The lineup includes Austin-based bands Como Las Movies, Cilantro Boombox, La Vida Buena and a Rudy Rexx percussion accompanied DJ set with DJ Chorizo Funk called “Clásico.”

What is great about this particular lineup for Friday is that there is something different that makes each band special. All fuse traditional Latin rhythms with different musical genres, but all have their own unique sound.

After DJ Chorizo Funk and percussionist Rudy Rexx open the show with their Clásico set, La Vida Buena will bring their salsafied hip-hop fusion to the stage to set up the night’s headliners. Lead by member Louie “Luison” Alarcon, the group performs original tracks from their debut EP ¡Checkpoint Alpha! as well as covers of popular hip-hop and R&B tracks.

Como Las Movies are Austin’s purveyors of nu-cumbia, fusing electronic synths and jazz elements with traditional cumbia. While mostly instrumental, the group will incorporate a guest vocalist on occasion.The group is composed of musicians from of my old Austin favorites of the past including Maneja Beto, Mitote and La Guerrilla.

Cilantro Boombox are a perfect electronic marriage of Latin and Afrobeat, which translates into an epic live show. The group formed when producer/bassist Felix Pacheco and Joe Willard of saxophonist Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears fame came together in 2010. They’ve been the opening act for Los Amigos Invisibles on multiple occasions in Texas and are known for hosting a series of killer boat parties in the summer.

Don’t let the cold keep you home Friday. This group of artists is special and to see them live for no charge is a gift, so please take advantage if you haven’t seen these bands before. You will be amazed at what you discover and upset you didn’t see them sooner.

Holy Mountain is located at 617 E. 7th Street. Doors open at 9 p.m. All ages welcome. No cover for 21+. Visit the Facebook event page here.

Como Las Movies

Cilantro Boombox

La Vida Buena

Clásico

[12/19] Preview: Los Kurados, La Vida Buena and more at The Sahara Lounge

December 18, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

Los Federales Dec 19 Friday, Dec. 19, those looking for live Latin Alternative in Austin will want to look east of the highway to The Sahara Lounge. A four band showcase billed as a “Winter Dance Party” will feature four of Austin’s best up-and-comers for less than the cost of a movie. Three of the bands offer their own unique fusion of sounds with traditional Latin rhythms you will want to hear.

Los Federales, formerly known as Ex Machina locally, are fronted Mexican national Blas Moreno. The group describes their music as “a dynamic blend of upbeat reggae and Afro-Cuban rhythms with prog-rock and punk sensibilities.” Throw in a little psychedelic touch with bilingual lyrics and that pretty much sums up their sound. See Los Federales perform at 11:30.

On Delay open the show at 9 p.m. and reggae-ska en Español band Los Kurados close the night’s showcase at 12:30 a.m.

The Sahara Lounge is located at 1413 Webberville Rd. Event will take place from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 21+ welcome. $6 cover. Visit the Facebook event page here.

Los Federales

Email newsletters for bands at ReverbNation.com

Los Kurados

La Vida Buena

Learn how to put a song on itunes at ReverbNation.com

[11/21] Preview: ¡Híjole Otra Vez! at The Sahara Lounge

November 21, 2014 By Ian Morales

Hijole Otra Vez Tonight, Nov. 21, popular East Side hotspot The Sahara Lounge is the place to be for those looking for some of the best live Latin Alternative music Austin has to offer. The promotion team that go by the name “Good Good” are presenting their second installment of their ¡Híjole! showcase series featuring Austin-based bands Como Las Movies and La Vida Buena. Los Angeles-based Viento Callejero headlines.

Viento Callejero is a realtively new name in the Latin Alternative scene, forming in 2013. Despite being new, the trio features some familiar names. Guitarist Gloria Estrada was once a member of La Santa Cecilia and also served as the touring guitarist for María Del Pilar when she was performing as Pilar Díaz. Drummer Gabrial Villa is also a member of Chicano Batman. Bassist Federico Zuniga, Has collaborated or played with various bands including Sistema Bomb and Tokeson, rounds out the trio.

Their sound is a fusion of traditional cumbia music with merengue, reggae, dance hall, funk and rock. They released their self-titled debut album in July and features original songs along with classic cumbias interpreted with a modern twist.

Vanessa Burden of La Vida Buena and KOOP FM, aka DJ Vanessa la Bestia, opens the night.

The Sahara Lounge is located at 1413 Webberville Rd. Doors open at 9 p.m. 21+ welcome. $7 cover. Visit the Facebook event page here for more details and set times.

Viento Callejero

Como Las Movies

La Vida Buena

[10/24] Preview: Como Las Movies, La Vida Buena, Chorizo Funk at The Sahara Lounge

October 24, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

Hijole Tonight popular East Side hotspot The Sahara Lounge is the place to be for those looking for some of the best Latin Alternative Austin has to offer. Austin’s own nu-cumbia collective Como Las Movies and salsa fusion group La Vida Buena perform live before DJ Chorizo Funk and percussionist Rudy Rexx go hard with their signature ¡Clasíco! set.

Como Las Movies is Austin’s answer to new movement happening with electronic based cumbia. The group fuses elements of jazz and rock with traditional Latin Rhythms. While mostly instrumental, the group will incorporate a guest vocalist on occasion. Listen to a sample of their music below. Como Las Movies perform at midnight.

La Vida Buena is an Austin-based salsa group that performs both covers and original songs from their debut EP,¡Checkpoint Alpha!. Fronted by vocalist and KOOP Radio personality Vanessa Burden and Louie “Luison” Alarcon, the group is becoming a staple in the Austin music scene. Attendees will love dancing to salsa-fied covers of popular hip-hop and R&B tracks. La Vida Buena perform at 11 p.m.

DJ Chorizo Funk (Peligrosa, Body Rock) and Rudy Rexx close the night with a live percussion backed DJ set at 12:45 a.m. La Vida Buena members “Vanessa la Bestia” and DVRTH V€NA take the form of their DJ alter egos for opening DJ sets from 10-11 p.m.

The Sahara Lounge is located at 1413 Webberville Rd. Doors open at 10 p.m. 21+ welcome. $7 cover. Free parking. Visit the Facebook event page here.

Como Las Movies

La Vida Buena

[9/11] Preview: Salsa Night with La Vida Buena at Cedar Street Court Yard

September 10, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

Thursday, Sept. 11, Cedar Street Courtyard is introducing “Salsa Night” with Austin-based salsa fusion band La Vida Buena. Known mostly for popular cover bands and singer-songwriter events, outside of big South By Southwest parties of course, the popular Warehouse District venue is finally adding some sabor. Think of it as a pre-celebration for Mexican Independence Day.

La Vida Buena is lead by member Louie “Luison” Alarcon. The La Vida group performs original tracks from their debut EP ¡Checkpoint Alpha! as well as salsa-fied covers of popular hip-hop and R&B tracks. You read that right. Be ready for “Gin & Juice” like you’ve never heard before.

Cedar Street is located at 208 W 4th St. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the band will begin playing at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $8. 21+ are welcome. Cedar Street will be serving Latin-inspired cocktails such as Mojitos, Pisco Sours, and Cuba Libres to commemorate the occasion. Visit the Facebook event page here.

La Vida Buena

[7/4] Preview: ¡Explosivo! Fiesta Del Dia de Independencia w/ Money Chicha, La Vida Buena

July 2, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

Celebrate our great nation’s independence Latino estyle this Friday at Empire Control Room & Garage with Austin’s first (and baddest) chicha group, Money Chicha. They will be joined by some of Austin’s finest Latin bands of various styles and genres, offering attendees a look at what our city has to offer. You’ll want to come early and stay late.

Headliners Money Chicha are composed of members from Grupo Fantasma and Brownout. Their music pays homage to the musical and cultural movement of the ’60s and ’70s found in Peru and Colombia, incorporating the psychedelic sounds of guitars, fuzz, and reverb with heavy percussion. Money Chicha peform at midnight.

Getting the party going for Money Chicha are salsa-fusion band La Vida Buena, Urban Tejano group Son De Rey and melodic-indie rockers Migrant Kids. Visit the Facebook event page here for set times. See music videos below for a quick look and listen.

Empire Control Room & Garage is located at 606 E. 7th Street. 10 p.m. 21+ welcome. Advance tickets are available for purchase online here.

Money Chicha

La Vida Buena

Son De Rey

Migrant Kids