Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Lola La ShowGirl Interview



On Wednesday, November 14, a music performance artist who goes by the name Lola La ShowGirl performed a musical set using Ableton Live.  It was my first interview of a musician that is a member of the electronic music community, so a variety of topics were covered.




More interviews to follow.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Day of the Dead at the Echoplex

       Sunday, November 4 the Echoplex held a Day of the Dead festival that featured several DJ’s, and bands.  It was a Latin-American influenced night, whether it was infused into hiphop or rock, or if Salsa was mixed into American-influenced music. Different islands of artwork that featured the typical Dia de los Muertos iconography lighted up the dark venue: namely, candles and skulls.  But there was no somber moment at this event that featured nothing but upbeat Latin-American music.


Popular Dia de los Muertos face paint had plenty of people waiting for their turn, during the Day of the Dead festival at the Echoplex, Los Angeles, November 4, 2012.  Photo by Alex Godinez


Concession stands included designer clothing; jewelry; face painting in the style of Dia de los Muertos skeletal art. 

The lineup included Quita Penas, Anthony Valadez, Jungle Fire, Slowpoke, Ervin Arana, La Chamba, Olmeca, Chicano Batman, and Buyepongo.







Jungle Fire plays at Day of the Dead festival, at the Echoplex, November 4, 2012.  Photo by Alex Godinez.


Of all the music performed throughout this festive evening, I recorded an intro, included here: 


The DJs seemed to favor Cumbia, perhaps reading the crowd’s rhythmic reaction to every song.  Although the crowd was predominantly Latin-American, there was a good mixture of other ethnic groups.  That is always a good sign for any cultural event.

One band that stood out was Chicano Batman, a retro 60s rock band.  They performed four tracks, but actually only mentioned one title: La Tigresa, an instrumentally laid back dram track, with organs and a 70s feel.  On the bio from their official website, their approach to music is described as “students of rhythm, globe trotting on a quest to reclaim and represent the musical roots of their past generations.  Drawing from a broad range of 60s and early 70s Brazilian bossa nova and samba, spacey psychedelia, slow-jam with a pinch of surf-rock cumbia.” (http://chicanobatman.com/)

Chicano Batman Recording: 



I was not able to pick up all the musical genres during my listening, but this group performed as a quartet that is distinctly Angelino, for its amalgamation of different influences.  The recorded track shows the love for the Motown oldies while singing in Spanish.  I couldn’t help but recall the times friends in the neighborhood shared their love for Smokey Robinson, Brenton Woods, The Dells, and so many other Motown greats.  Having bands like Chicano Batman carry the torch of urban romanticism offers promise and excitement for the ever-changing L.A. music scene, as it still tips its hat to the past. 

Chicano Batman frontman, Bardo Martinez performs at the Echoplex, November 4, 2012.

Chicano Batman perfrom at the Day of the Dead festival at the Echoplex, November 4, 2012.  Photo by Alex Godinez


Here is a link the event, highlighting all the bands and djs who performed: http://www.ticketfly.com/event/169937/