FMEL 2011 - Chicago's Electrogem

The best shows, for me, are always the ones I anticipate so much that I almost don't go just so I won't lose that exhilarating rush of excitement or the endless pie-in-the-sky fantasy possibilities. Of course I do end up going and basically fall from above, bopping from cloud to cloud in perfect syncopation with the sounds being produced, heading back and forth from the outskirts of whatever galaxy we last discovered. I'm numb to everything but the artist performing. They are the focus and the only reason to be there at that precise moment. Shh. Don't talk to me, I'm listening. Eh eh eh, I said shh. Kindly, I will add.

Listen:
Latinsizer - Sexta (made with the iPad) by pepemogt

It's been a couple of sad years without that cool spark of life we got every time we were at the Latin Electronic Music Festival but... it's back and better than ever for 2011. Phew! This year's festival got started yesterday and will continue through Saturday, possibly even doing a closer after the closer on Sunday. We'll see. All I know is it's always been a good time. The artists involved are innovators in their field so it's a true honor, a gift, to be able to delve into their world in person. Watching the genius behind their craft right there in front of you. Holy moly mother of music, what's going on there and there and did you hear what he just did with that? It's infinite happiness. It's a music nerd's paradise. It's a music lover's Soul Train.

Tonight, after listening to DJ Wero pound out some amazing music during his set at Maria's as part of the FMEL I'm even more astonished and amazed. I took friends with me who didn't know what to expect and left wanting more. That, my friends, equals success.

So, with that in mind, I encourage you support this festival and all others based on independent artists and most especially Chicago efforts.  The Festival de Musica Electronica Latina is a key ingredient in all this.

I'll see you at the next show, which is this Friday, August 26th at Abbey Pub. My boy Anthony Macias will be joining Kampion as part of Enchufate's suppport. Dig it. Love it. Enjoy.

The music of August

Haven't caught up in this space in a bit and speaking of bit, there will be that type of music and more at the Latin Electronic Music Festival taking place August 24th through 27th (see how quickly I switched topics oh and by the way, the festival is this week, yes Wednesday until Saturday). And again. On Sunday, August 28th, from 6-9PM Chicago rock band [.DESCARGA.] celebrates their new release The Things We Do at Joe's Bar on Weed Street. It's free and early so no silly excuses, kitties. Meow meow.

[.DESCARGA.]'s drummer, Anthony Macias, will be collaborating with Mexico City electronica artist Kampion on Friday, August 26th as part of the FMEL. Also that night, Pepe Mogt (Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich & Fussible) with his project Latinsizer, one of the founding members of the Nortec Collective Presents: Clorofila, plus VJ Thai, VJ Gabriel Noquez and DJ Wero.

Bakersfield, Cali boys Velorio are in town this weekend. They played as part of the line-up for the 1st annual Unisono Festival that took place at Pilsen's Zocalo. That was followed up by an amazing, dance-til-your-feet-hurt performance at Junior's. I'd remembered they were full of copious amounts of energy but hot damn, they exploded into a whole new parallel music universe that's just being discovered and they're the leaders in that exploration. Velorio knows what's up! They kept us on our toes as they rock'n'rolled their way through traditional raza beats and rhythms, ch-chchch'ing girls hips' in sexy tribute to Fito Olivares' generation. Wow. It was a beautiful thing. I've been craving one of these nights for awhile. Thank you, Velorio, for making it a great weekend of music in Chicago.

I'll have more updates throughout the week, including FMEL artist biographies, music samples and more. Tune in to the Music Vox on Wednesday at 7:30PM CST for my Enchufate segment. 89.5FM WBEW if you're in Chicago, otherwise stream it live at www.vocalo.org