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.
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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.
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Jungle Fire plays at Day of
the Dead festival, at the Echoplex, November 4, 2012. Photo by Alex Godinez.
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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.
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| Chicano Batman frontman, Bardo Martinez performs at the Echoplex, November 4, 2012. |
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Chicano
Batman perfrom at the Day of the Dead festival at the Echoplex, November 4,
2012. Photo by Alex Godinez
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