• Skip to main content

Austin Vida

You are here: Home / Archives for singer-songwriter

singer-songwriter

Merch Giveaway: Gina Chavez live from The Good Music Club CD+DVD

December 3, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

Gina Chavez cd coverOur friends at The Good Music Club have been producing great quality live videos and recordings for over two years. During Free Week this past January, we (Austin Vida) curated their first all Latin music showcase at their new home venue, Spider House Ballroom. They taped all four acts, one of them being Austin-based singer songwriter Gina Chavez.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, The Good Music Club is partnering with the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) to celebrate the double disc release of Gina Chavez live from The Good Music Club CD/DVD at the Austin Visitor Center. The release party is part of the ACVB’s Local & Live Music Series. Visit the Facebook event page here.

The best part? We are giving away a free copy of Gina Chavez live from The Good Music Club CD/DVD to one of our lucky Austin Vida readers.

The giveaway will be conducted as a raffle from our email list. Just click “enter the drawing” below after submitting your full name and email address. Only submissions with full names will be officially entered. We will pick the winner from these submissions before 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, the day before the show. The winner will be notified via email about how to claim their prize from Austin Vida. The contest is open to people in the Central Texas area only. Good luck!

The Austin Visitor Center is located at 602 E. 4th Street. Event is from 1-3 p.m. Free admission. All ages welcome. Parking is available in the Convention Center Garage – the entry to the garage is on 5th St between Red River and Sabine Streets.

 

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: gina chavez, good music club, merch giveaway, singer-songwriter

Juana Molina releases music video for “Sin Guía, No”

April 29, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

Juana MolinaArgentinian singer-songwriter Juana Molina released her new music video for her song “Sin Guía, No.” Directed by Argentine filmmaker/artist Dr Sepian, the video was shot in Tierra de Fuego, at the southernmost tip of the South American continent. It’s inspired by the Hain initiation ceremonies which used to be performed by the Shelknam people, who were among the original inhabitants of Patagonia. Young men on the verge of puberty were sent out alone in the forest, and had to perform a series of tasks (such as hunting, or fighting demons of the forest) before being considered as grown men and allowed to come back to the fold of the tribe.

“Sin Guía, No” can be found off Molina’s latest album, Wed 21, released in October 2013 via Brussels-based label Crammed Discs. The label has also reissued Molina’s back catalog that includes her four previous albums: Segundo (originally released in 2000), Tres Cosas (2002), Son (2006) and Un Día (2008). All of Molina’s albums are now available through all main digital stores worldwide, as well as on Crammed’s online store.

Watch the music video for “Sin Guía, No” below.

* Juana Molina will perform at the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) in New York City in July. For more details, visit www.latinalternative.com.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: argentina, indie, juana molina, music video, singer-songwriter

Ani Cordero to release “Recordar: Latin American Songs of Love and Protest”

March 18, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

ani corderoBrooklyn-based singer-songwriter Ani Cordero’s announced the release of her new album Recordar: Latin American Songs of Love and Protest. Available Apr. 29, the album highlights Latin American musicians from the 1930s-1970s whose music echoed the social changes of that time. The 11-track album, co-produced by Sérgio Dias of the legendary Os Mutantes, includes collaborations from Charles Giordano of The E Street Band, Kelly Pratt of Arcade Fire, and Beirut, percussionist for Malian musician Vieux Farka Touré, Tim Keiper and Omar Akil Little. The album will feature music from iconic folk artists such as Víctor Jara, Alí Primera, Atahualpa Yupanqui, Chavela Vargas and Violeta Parra.

Aside from her current solo album, the Puertorriqueña americana keeps busy with other projects. She was a founding member and drummer of Latin roots-rock band Pistolera, has appeared as a drummer and back-up vocalist for Os Mutantes and has her own bilingual art-rock band, Cordero. Ani Cordero will tour this spring in support of Recordar: Latin American Songs of Love and Protest.

Watch Ani Cordero’s interpretation of Chavela Vargas’ “Macorina” below:

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: ani cordero, brooklyn, cordero, os mutantes, Pistolera, singer-songwriter

María del Pilar premieres music video for “Huaso de los Angelitos” featuring Gepe

September 19, 2013 By Austin Vida Staff

María del Pilar released her music video for ""Huaso de los Angelitos". Courtesy photo by Marina Chavez.

María del Pilar has just premiered the music video to “Huaso de los Angelitos” off her debut solo album Songs + Canciones I. The video also features Chilean indie-pop star Gepe—who is known for his unique style of electropop infused with Chilean folk. The new video also includes a separate mini introduction video (see below) where María del Pilar talks about the inspiration behind the song and video.

You may remember María del Pilar as the front woman for Los Angeles alternative spanglish rock band Los Abandoned. Now that she’s a solo artist she has been described as a “Latin-influenced Bjork”. After going back to her roots in Chile’s cultural scene, the Chilena-Angelena songstress began writing the album Songs + Canciones I—which has become the first installment of a musical trilogy inspired by her soul-searching.  María del Pilar is currently working on her next music video for the catchy dance single “En el Dancefloor” which will premiere next month.

Be on the lookout for that but in the meantime enjoy “Huaso de los Angelitos”.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Gepe, indie, Maria Del Pilar, music video, singer-songwriter

Interview: Irene Díaz, from Kickstarter to Latina indie darling on the rise

August 26, 2013 By Jessica Ramirez

LA-based singer-songwriter Irene Díaz. Promo photo by Miguel Morales Cruz.

When you look at singer-songwriter Irene Díaz you would never guess that such a big and soulful voice comes out of that petite figure, but trust me it does. We met up at the Downtown Rehearsal studio—east of downtown Los Angeles—where she told me all about the whirlwind of a life she’s had in the last three years and what is in store for her music career.

Díaz grew up performing at church and learning the piano. Yet, it wasn’t until she picked up her dad’s guitar at 16 years old that she started writing songs. For the songstress the songwriting goes hand-in-hand with the music and the instruments. Anytime she’s playing an instrument she’s thinking of songs to write.

“I love all of it, but what I wrote back then was really depressing,” the singer says as she laughs. “My writing has changed over time. I’ve found people that inspire me. The music I have right now is inspired by friends or experiences that I’ve had as a young adult.”

She admits that when she first started writing she would hide in her room and not share her music publicly. Even though music was a major part of her life, Díaz decided to pursue a higher education in an effort to find the career path for her.

“In school I was always trying to figure out what to do. Deep down I always wanted to do music but the music classes just weren’t as fulfilling for me,” says Díaz. “I realized then that I just really wanted to do music full time so I stopped going to school. It actually felt really good to make that decision. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when it came to school but I knew for certain that I wanted to do music.”

Since 2010 Díaz has tried to establish her career as a singer-songwriter and initially she had no clue where to begin.

“A big part of my collaborating and networking process was learning how to play, write, be creative and be free with the music and I couldn’t have done that without the help of the friends I’ve made along the way,” says Díaz. “In the beginning I would just go and be inspired and creative with them during their jam sessions. It helped me get out of my comfort zone.”

It took some time but she eventually broke out of that shell. In 2011 she met Carolyn Cardoza—her now ukuleleist and booking coordinator—who helped her alleviate some of the work involved in establishing a music career.

“When I met Carolyn a lot of things just started unfolding for me, since then a lot of doors have opened because I had someone to help me work everything out” says Díaz. “She introduced me to many people who helped me book shows, produce and do other creative things.”

'I Love You Madly' is available now on Itunes and CD Baby.

Among those things was the planning and launch of a successful Kickstarter campaign in November 2012. When Irene Díaz started recording her extended play album “I Love You Madly” she decided it was a good time to start a campaign to help fund her project. After two months of pre-planning and some blood, sweat and tears, their Kickstarter was successful and they were on their way to having a finished product for supporters and fans to enjoy.

“Luckily we had friends who had already done their own Kickstarter campaigns,” says Cardoza. “We talked to them about what worked and didn’t work for them in order to get as much information beforehand.”

“There’s a ton of work and effort that goes into a campaign like this. Sometimes we were just like, ‘We’re never doing this again!’,” says Díaz laughing. “But it was all worth it in the end because I don’t see how this EP could’ve happened without the support of this campaign. This was great because people not only helped with funds but also because they believed in the project and to have people like that backing me showed me I was doing something right and that this is what I was meant to do.”

With the outpour of support Díaz successfully reached her goal of $8,000 in just two weeks. She surpassed it by raising $10,209 at the end of the campaign. Díaz has worked hard since December to make sure the content promised went out to the fans in a timely manner.

With “I Love You Madly”, Díaz says she wanted it to be a listening experience that flowed nicely.

“I like to transition from one song to the other,” says Díaz. “That way people don’t get taken out of the moment and they can let the musical experience take over.”

Complete with interludes this album is one in which you can just relax and listen to from beginning to end.

“You can just get wrapped up in Irene’s songs, even playing with her, you don’t want the music to stop,” says Cardoza. “You want to stay in that moment in time. It’s a musical experience that just leads you somewhere else. You get wrapped up in the performance and you’re not interrupted.”

This summer she performed in Philadelphia and at the Latin Alternative Music Conference, where she stunned concertgoers with her soulful voice. As a result of her talent, she was featured on National Public Radio’s “Alt Latino” and “All Things Considered” and on Mucho Music. Up until now, the success Irene Díaz has achieved was earned through diligence and as part of a natural development.

“We haven’t had a PR person, we don’t have someone funding everything and as of right now I kind of like that,” says Díaz. “It’s very much about the people who enjoy and share my music with others. I feel happy with the way things are just happening organically right now.”

Díaz is currently working on getting her music to more college radio stations, performing on the road, writing more music and of course building her fan base.

“We are planning a West Coast tour for the near future,” says Díaz. “We’re also looking into booking some dates during South By Southwest 2014. Ultimately, I want to perform in showcases in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas as part of a Southwest tour so that is all in the works.”

In the last three years Díaz has accomplished great things in her musical career. Still, she knows there is a ton left to do and is facing the future with excitement and passion.

“I really want to influence people to do things that they love. If you’ve specified or realized what you want to do then by all means go for it,” says Díaz. “Music is what I love to do because I’m always learning by doing but mostly because I get to create an enjoyable experience for me and my audience.”

Keep an eye out for Irene Díaz because this little lady will be coming to Austin in the near future. In the meantime, enjoy her soothing and soulful sounds in this official music video for “Crazy Love”.

Filed Under: Events, Slider Tagged With: interview, Irene Diaz, Latin Alternative Music Conference, los angeles, singer-songwriter

Download: “Olé” by Cupéro

January 25, 2013 By Austin Vida Staff

New York- based singer-songwriter Cupéro (promo photo by Steven Halin)

New York-based pop-rock artist Clarissa Cupero released “Olé,” her newest single from her third EP, released on Jan. 22. “Olé” –a common expression used in Spain- was inspired by her experiences while living in Spain and highly influenced by Flamenco music and the Spanish culture. Cupéro performed “Olé” and other Spanish and English songs at a local Flamenco bar in Sevilla, where she managed to gather bilingual crowds.

Although Cupéro is a non-Latino, she believes in promoting cross-cultural understanding between the Latin and American music demographics. Both her passion for Spanish and admiration of the Latino-culture have led her to become one of the few artists to successfully crossover from English to Spanish, using as her biggest influence the 17-times Latin Grammy-winner, Juanes. She first started singing when she was only four-years-old, then learned to play the piano at the age of nine and the guitar at the age of sixteen. Since then, Cupéro has been a two-time finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for her songs “Voces,” which talks about the social and governmental struggles within Latin American societies, and “Las Sombras,” which also made the first round Grammy ballot for Record of the Year in 2011.

Listen to Cupéro’s single “Olé” below and download here.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Cupéro, download, mp3, singer-songwriter

Suzanna Choffel covers “Tú Solo Tú”

September 4, 2012 By Ian Morales

Promo photo by Stevan Alcala (http://salcalaphoto.wordpress.com/)

Austin native Suzanna Choffel is a soulful singer-songwriter that now resides in Brooklyn, New York. Often compared to pop-singer Nelly Furtado, Choffel’s music appeals to the most discriminating critics as well as music lovers from all walks of life. If Davíd Garza had a Caucasian female equivalent, it would be Choffel. Currently Choffel is performing in support of her latest album, Steady Eye Shaky Bow.

Today Choffel surprised her Facebook followers when she released a YouTube video of herself singing “Tú Solo Tú” in a stairwell with just an acoustic guitar. Originally written by Felipe Valdés Leal, the song was made famous in recent years by Linda Ronstadt and of course Selena. If you asked your grandparents about “Tú Solo Tú,” the name Pedro Infante would come up in the discussion. It appears that even Choffel can’t help but be moved by the Mexican classic. And yes, she sings en Español.

While her pronunciation in the video is not quite at the level of a native speaker, it is not far from it. All should be forgiven if you read the video’s caption or liner notes on YouTube. According to Choffel, she “was singing kinda soft so as not to wake the whole hotel…forgive the light “r”s…I usually growl this a bit more live. Plus there is usually tequila.”

Watch Choffel performing “Tú Solo Tú” below. Those in Austin can see Choffel perform at Patagonia Austin on September 13. Click here for details.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: singer-songwriter, suzanna choffel, video

(9/2011) Preview: Carrie Rodriguez residency at Threadgill’s

September 6, 2011 By Austin Vida Staff

Austin singer-songwriter Carrie Rodriguez is the daughter of critically acclaimed songwriter David Rodriguez. Rodriguez’s great aunt is Eva Garza, a popular recording artist in the 1950s. With a gene pool like that, it is no wonder she has become one of Austin’s most beloved vocalists, songwriters and musicians (fiddle, guitar) in her own right. Learn more about Rodriguez from our interview in 2010 here.

Rodriguez will begin her Wednesday night residency at Threadgill’s in South Austin on September 7, 2011. A complete listing of performance dates can be found here. Performing in support of her latest album, We Still Love Our Country, Rodriguez is a must see for fans of Alejandro Escovedo, Chip Taylor, Lucinda Williams or Rick Treviño. Watch her video for “Big Love” below.


Threadgill’s South  is located at 301 West Riverside Dr. Show is all ages. Under 12 admitted free with guardian. Doors open at 7:00pm. Show at 8:00pm.  Admission is $10. Advance tickets are available through Front Gate Tickets here. Vote for the event on Do512 here.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: singer-songwriter

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Copyright © 2021 · Log in