las cafeteras

[4/16] Preview: Las Cafeteras, La Frenetika at Flamingo Cantina

April 16, 2015 By Austin Vida Staff

Las cafeteras poster Tonight popular 6th Street live music venue Flamingo Cantina hosts the Austin tour stop for East Los Angeles’ alt-roots band Las Cafeteras. Local support comes from the South American-inspired La Frenetika. Between the two, there is every reason to go in late tomorrow or make it an early weekend.

Las Cafeteras come to Austin on tour in support of their newly released remix and music video for their single “Mujer Soy.” According to the band, the project was a special collaboration with Los Angeles DJ crew La Junta Sound System who remixed some of their previous recordings into upbeat dance tracks. Their live set is brought to life by the eclectic instrumentation used, which include jarana’s, requinto, a donkey jawbone, a West African bass instrument called the Marimbol, cajón, and a wooden platform called the Tarima used to dance Zapateado.

Local favorites 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, great crowd of regulars and big sound.

Austin’s DJ Chorizo Funk (Peligrosa, Body Rock) spins before and in-between sets.

Flamingo Cantina is located at 515 E. 6th Street. Doors open at 9 p.m. 21+ welcome. $10 cover. Visit the Facebook event page here.

Las Cafeteras

La Frenetika

DJ Chorizo Funk

Las Cafeteras release music video for “Luna Lovers”

August 13, 2013 By Austin Vida Staff

LA-based Son Jarocho collective Las Cafeteras released their new music video for their song “Luna Lovers” officially today for all after premiering it via LA Weekly last week. The English language track from their album It’s Time, which was released in October of 2012. The sound of “Luna Lovers” is representative of their signature bilingual twist on traditional Son Jarocho in which the group fuses with elements of hip hop, folk, Native American sounds.

Description of the “Luna Lovers” music video by Director, John Cantú

“Luna Lovers” is a magical, mysterious vision from the imaginations of the band, Las Cafeteras, and filmmaker John Cantú. Inspired equally by silent film master Georges Méliès and the Eastside community, it is a love story both unique and universal. In this video, Las Cafeteras are reimagined as “lovers”, magicians, troubadours, a cyclist, and a boatman. For one night, the moon guides them all on a musical journey that will surprise and transform, both their surroundings and themselves. With sumptuous cinematography, beautiful costumes and whimsical production design, “Luna Lovers” is a grand visualization of the ballad that Las Cafeteras fans across the country know and love.

Watch the music video for “Luna Lovers” below.

[3/16] Preview: Austin Vida presents “Barrio Bash Vol. I” at Sahara Lounge

March 15, 2013 By Austin Vida Staff

As the annual South By Southwest music fest nears its end, we want to give locals and welcomed visitors alike one more chance to see some of the country’s best Latin music before everything wraps up. We will be presenting five of our favorites from here in Texas to California on Saturday afternoon from noon to 5 p.m. at Sahara Lounge. No badges or RSVPs necessary.

We’re starting the day off with some good ole’ fashion Austin Conjunto goodness from Susan Torres y Conjunto Clemencia. East L.A.’s own Las Cafeteras follow with their brand of Son Jarocho, a regional folk musical style of Mexican Son from Veracruz. If you missed them during their Austin tour stop last year at Sahara Lounge, then make sure to catch their set at 1 p.m.

Things start to get rowdy (in a good way) when San Antonio-based punkeros Piñata Protest take the stage at 2 p.m. Ever seen a punk band with an accordion? You’ll love it. Think Dropkick Murphys meet Flaco Jiménez.

The West Coast takes over again at 4 p.m. with Los Angeles-based Latin roots artist La Santa Cecilia. No stranger to Austin, the group has performed at both South by Southwest and Pachanga Latino Music Fest. An obvious reflection of their home city, La Santa Cecilia’s music fuses elements of cumbia, bossa nova, rumba, bolero, tango, jazz, rock and klezmer music. Combine that with the powerful and sultry vocals of frontwoman Marisol Hernandez and you have something great.

Closing the party down is the Tucson big band, Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta. Lead by the multi-talented everything from keyboards and percussion to guitars and horns, the group may be responsible for making mambo popular again to the masses. The group caters to Latinos, jazz lovers and hipsters alike. If you didn’t see them at Pachanga Fest in 2010, be at Sahara Club at 4 p.m.

The Sahara Lounge is located at 1413 Webberville Rd. Doors open at 11 a.m. Music at noon. 21+ welcome. No RSVPs or wristbands required. Food will be available for purchase from the Sahara Smokehouse Trailer. For map and location, click here. Visit the Facebook event page here.

[9/29] Preview: Krudas Cubensi, Las Cafeteras & Zomountchi at Sahara Lounge

September 27, 2012 By Austin Vida Staff

On Saturday, September 29, The Sahara Lounge will be flowing with social consciousness and traditional Mexican rhythms from East Los Angeles. Those who show up early will experience Cuban hip hop that can inspire revolution. In addition to the live music offerings, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy food from The Smokehouse BBQ trailer on the back patio.

Austin-based hip hop group Krudas Kebensi open the show on Saturday. The group have recently come back from touring in support of their latest release, Levantate. Composed of Olivia Prendes and Odaymara Cuesta (Pasa Kruda), the Cuban born rap artists have been bringing Latina revolution style hip hop to the world since 1997. Krudas Cubensi perform at 9 p.m.

Touring from East Los Angeles are the Mexican folk collective Las Cafeteras. Formed in 2005 after attending free Son Jarocho classes at the Eastside Cafe in El Sereno, Los Angeles. Their music is influenced by traditional folk music from Veracruz, Mexico, but with a socially conscious East L.A. twist. Las Cafeteras are on tour in support of their first studio album, It’s Time. Catch Las Cafeteras at 10 p.m.

Performing at midnight are Austin-based Zomountchi. The band performs African-inspired music backed by a horn section. Founded by Ibrahim Aminou, originally from Niger, the band performs original songs and arrangements of traditional African songs. Zomountchi perform at midnight.

The Sahara Lounge is located at 1413 Webberville Rd. Doors open at 8 p.m. Music starts at 9 p.m. 21+ welcome. $10 cover. Free parking. Visit the event page on Facebook here and on Do512 here.