[.DESCARGA.] performs tonight at Tiger O'Stylies. They're my boys, yes, so please show up or they'll harass me until the next gig. Haha. Here's a video for their song "Tu Eres Yo":
Tomorrow, I'm heading out to Aurora, IL to record some violin parts for the band Stomoxys Calcitrans, a metal band. I'm quite nervous, yes, but I know it'll turn out well. Better nerves than none... or no? Eeek!
Sunday we're recording E>N>E:Chicago Rocks once again at Tiger O'Stylies. This week features three new bands: Spitt'n Llamas, Central Disorder and On The Run. This takes place from 6-8PM and it's free. See you there!
Next week's full of goodies too so I'll be back this weekend to post again.
It was a long, long week, last week as they usually are when there's so many events we have to cover, not including the business meetings in between. It was so long in fact that I'm barely recapping last week at the end of this week and... sigh. But, it was an excellent week of music so any exhaustion from it was replaced by the refueling energy an amazing concert provides. Yes. (Sure!)
Monday and Tuesday were off nights but being who we are we had several "parties" going on in our lovely neighborhood, Pilsen.
Photos:
Ray's Stencil "No Shitting!" /Signs of Spring in Pilsen / Rainy Chicago as seen from the Damen Pink Line / Kyle The Neighbor at our Cinco De Mayonesa Fest
First up on Wednesday was the *free* Calle 13 concert at Metro. Wow. Wow. Wow. And, WOW! Yes. Unbelievable. Amazing. Spectacular. Residente has such a powerful presence, on stage and off, and together with Visitante and his crew, especially their sister on stage hypnotizing everyone with those moves (wow!) transformed the night into a mind-blowing orgy of sounds and words. They started out with their Cafe Tacuba collaboration song "No Hay Nadie Como Tu" and just kept hitting it strong from them on. The crowd was lit! Pure, raw energy. Unbelieveable. Seriously. You completely missed out on something so, so beautiful. Calle 13 with a full band? Ahhh! Dream come true! My favorite song of the night was definitely "Se Vale To-To"
This video doesn't compare to the performance I saw, but here's the song I'm referring to:
(Photos up on www.enchufate.com) Afterward, we headed over to Purgatory to listen to Hillary Rawk! spinnin' What a great fkn night!
On Thursday, we had one of the best nights we've ever had at La Botana for Karaoke en Español. We had several out of town visitors thanks to Jose. And it's quite evident our sponsor-supported promotions, including recent write-up in Cafe Magazine, plus our longevity with the night is bringing in more and more new faces. I love it. It was also my first night tending bar there and it was crazy! Bucket after bucket of beer. It seemed endless the way these folks were drinking. Sheesh! But they were having a great time, and, well... thank you so much for the generous tips. You guys rock! ROCK!
Friday afternoon, Hector and I stopped by for a quick bite at this restaurant...umm... I'm trying to find the name on Metromix but no luck so far. Anyway, the food was superb. Cajun at it's finest. Generous portions at a reasonable price. Can't beat it. Delish! We then headed over to the massive Bottom Lounge. Talk about huge. This place is just big. Very corporate feel to it but we were looking forward to the En Tu Ciudad Showcase, which was great. DJ Chavez totally impressed me with his music choices. Thank you for not doing the usual 80's spanish rock stuff. Thank you for taking it outside the box. The bands were awesome too. Our only tiny little suggestion is that next time the organizers talk to the bands about not leaving when they're done playing. How rude. Tsk tsk. Regardless, Remezcla.com and MySpace Latino did a nice job. Oh and great job on getting Calle 13's guitar player to join the night. He loved Los Vicios De Papa. So did we.
Saturday was a nice day to relax and catch up with life. Finally. But on Sunday, we headed over to House of Blues for the Panteon Rococo concert. Opening were Malafacha and Los Vicios de Papa. I've got to be brutally honest here but... I think Los Vicios de Papa should've headlined. For realz, yo! They are on a roll with their music, their presence, the energy and everything tuned, on beat and with such creative style. Watch out, Chicago... this is the band to be on the lookout for in stores real soon. En serio. Anyway, the place was jam-packed like sardines. Fun times! Panteon rocked... but LVDP outshined them.
Phone Photo of Panteon Rococo concert:
This week, tonight actually, Hidrogenesse from Spain is performing at Green Dolphin. It's free before 11PM so if you're in the mood to hear something new, go check them out.
We'll be over at La Botana for our weekly Karaoke night. If you're not at Green Dolphin, better be at Karaoke. He dicho.
See y'all lovely tippers tonight at La Botana. -ST ps - don't forget to listen to Radio One Chicago from 6-10PM on 88.7FM WLUW and then Ruido De Fondo at 10PM on 90.5FM WRTE. Yay!
"I do think we need writers. I mean I bow down...you know, everything I have is due to some man writing something wonderful that I was given the privilege to play. Believe you me, in the beginning you must have that marvelous script and that marvelous writer." - Bette Davis
It's Sunday in Chicago and the day is another long, silly giggle of sun bursts popping in and out of lazy gray clouds. I've been watching music videos for awhile, mostly ska (Panteon Rococo, actually, who's playing tonight at House of Blues with Los Vicios de Papa and Malafacha), that eventually turned into an interview by Dick Cavett with Bette Davis which in turn became the song "Volver" interpreted, oh so lovingly, by Penelope Cruz's character Raimunda in the movie of the same title.
What do you think of this?
It's calming despite the passion she's vocalizing. Or no?
It's "Mother's Day" today. Here's a video in celebration.
Mexican journalist/musician/photographer Benjamin Anaya, who composes a psychedelic samba-funk fusion with his band, Benjamin Anaya & Los Extraños Unidos (who performed for E>N>E:Chicago Rocks this past Sunday at Cobra Lounge), is also coordinating the Second Annual Mexican/Latino Book Festival taking place at Northeastern Illinois University, May 13th through 17th. Mr. Anaya, whom I greatly admire, has asked me to participate in a Round Table Discussion titled "Independent Latino Art Promotion In Chicago", taking place Friday, May 15th for the Festival.
Eeeek! I'm honored! Thank you!
So, here's the flyer for that event. Hope you'll join me.
In other news, tomorrow is Calle 13. Finally! Last time they were supposed to be here with Kinky at Volcan (yuck) but it was canceled at the last minute, thankfully, but now we can all enjoy it at a great venue, with great sound. Yes! Lovin' it already and i'm not even there... so singin' "Atrevete-te-te" at Karaoke on Thursday.
Here, enjoy another one of their videos:
[[Perpetuating Stereotypes: a FOUR CHILES VOTE for the mensos who did that interview with Ximena Sariñana and gave her a 4 Chiles Rating. Good job, guys... good job.]]
