Spin it! : Q&A part 1: Sonora.

We met Sonora a few months ago, but got to actually see him spin at Sonido Mundial in one of the clubs in San Antonio, TX in late May. We wanted to share with you his cumbia rhythms that will keep you dancing all night long. Check out his work on www.myspace.com/soycumbia. Here's a little about Sonora.  

K: Why Sonora?

S: It means "loud" in Spanish. so if you personally knew me, you'd understand.

K: Have you always used that as your alias?
S:Sonora Longoria, I could just use my full name DJ Joseph Albert Perez De Longoria ha ha. :)

K:Your hood: 
S:At the moment I currently reside in San Antonio TX.


K: Projects worked on:
S: Right now I'm finishing up a digital release for "Cabeza Netlabel" .working on an EP/mix for late summer and producing some tracks for a couple artists.


K: What kinda music do we jam to when you’re spinning?
S: besides cumbia and all of its sub genres, everything can range from African riddims to soca to kuduro to baile funk and dirty tropical bass. Its a trip, its like expressing adhd through music.


K: How old where you when you started spinning? 
S:16? around there.


K: What do you use when you spin (Serato, Digital DJ, Ableton, Tracktor, etc.)?
S: I PREFER serato, but have had to play on just about everything. I'll rock an ableton set time to time though.


K: Where can we catch you next? 
S:Will be heading to north Carolina and DC in July, and Houston with Mexicans With Guns in August.


K: Name of a must have track on your set: 
S: Fauna - Mira (hongo x hongo) that track will always set things off. never fails.


K: Who’s coming up with crazy power jams right now? 
S: A lot of homies are really coming out with fire. peligrosa boys Orion and Dus, Uproot Andy, and my boy MWG


K: Partner you’d love to work with: 
S: Lido Pimienta (girls got mad talent, big things from her in the future!)


K: How has producing music evolved since you first began doing it? 
S: When I was 13 i was making screwed and chopped music, now I'm bouncing all over sounds the world has to      offer.


K: What has been your biggest challenge as a DJ/producer so far? 
S: In my opinion i think its the "what makes you different from EVERYONE else" part. Finding your own sound and what makes it you, and yours.


K: Favorite DJ experience of all times so far?
S: Playing and opening up for the craziest show put together, Tormenta Tropical SXSW 2010. That was like the dream team of tropical/cumbia heads, sharing the decks with Oro11 Disco Shawn, Isa GT, Chief Boima, Maluca, nguzunguzu, toy selectah, lvis1990, poirer, kingdom. this list goes on. 


K: Worst request ever: 
S: i think everyone has gotten there share of lady caca. but the WORST thing anyone has ever asked/requested from me was "i don't understand what they're saying can you play something in English, something like new order"


K: Most cliché track played by djs right now? 
S: i wouldn't call it cliche, but i would say just about everyone has and probly always will include nguzunguzu's "el bebe ambiente"  that track is a heavy  hitter! they actually blew the power out at sxsw with that track


K:What’s the advice you would give young upcoming DJ producers who are barely stepping into the music business? 
S: have fun. 


K: Where do we get your music? 
S:you can check out my soundcloud at soundcloud.com/sonoraaa or sonoralongoria.tumblr.com for updates on
where you can find some stuff, or just do it up google style.




Sonora will be playing with Mexican with Gunz in August in Houston, TX. Dates and Venues to be confirmed soon.

   

Free Press Summer Fest brought it!

By: Z

I played sick on June 5th and 6th at work so i could go to the Festival, the heat was terrible even though i was wearing sunblock but hey! we're in Texas and great shows awaited. The Festival was amazing!! The Line up was great awesome artists from local bands to well known around the country and Europe rocked Eleanor Tinsley Park like it had never been before.

I barely made it to Medeski Martin and Wood who started the party with a much different sound than before while almost at the same time Houston-based Perseph1 (have a listen www.myspace.com/perseph1) was rocking the 29-95 stage. Yokomono, representing my hood, jammed their tunes while everyone dance to them, I'm glad i got to see Shina Rae at the KTRU Stage, i didn't wanna miss her. One of the things i loved was to see The wild Moccasins, which is one of my favorite local bands sharing the stage with Ra Ra Riot followed by every one's favorite Kid Sister at the Main Stage. Girl Talk was insane, we all got on the stage and danced, toilet paper everywhere, his set included Ciara's "My Goodies" Gun's n Roses "Paradise City" and Dr. Dre's "Next Episode" At one point Gillis aka Girl Talk lost his shirt, got on the DJ table and said "Houston dance or go home" the crowd went crazy trying to keep up with Gillis losing more than their shirts.

New bands i enjoyed: The Eastern sea.

All time favorite djs: Fat Tony, Squincy Jones, Fixture, Damon Allen, Fredster, Grrrl Parts and Dayta.

We had a blast on Sunday, people spread picnic blankets over the hillside to enjoy post-rock band Lymbyc System at the Main Stage following Uh huh her, which  I've always liked playing at the Main Stage, it didn't rain but poured during Lucero's performance. Canadian band Stars had the stage full of white roses while they play new tunes to promote their coming album "The 5 ghosts".  

The "special guest" was Bun B and Slim Thug although we already knew this weeks before the festival, they surprised us with the performance they put on, showing why they're Houston's underground kings. Their show lasted an hour, Slim thug starting off with "Yo it's hot as fuck but i came to party" pimping out the stage with "i ain't heard of that" "Thug from around the way" and of course "Three Kings" which fit perfect to a transition, Bun B's set was next, he's a local artist supporter, he shows up at any hip hop gig in town and people still can't believe he's there. He performed songs like "Big Pimping" and "International Players Anthem"

Flaming Lips was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. what a show! We all know about their shows, right? If you don't let me describe it to you, there are always psychedelic lights, bubbles and confetti with drug-free and drugged fans having a blast jamming to songs like "The Fear" dancing among balloons, what i had no idea of was the way they were gonna get on the stage in which was coming out of a woman's womb and Houston welcomed them excited to see them play. It had been 10 years since The Flaming Lips last came to town.

The Lips played "Worm Mountain" to open their set and suddenly there we were from confetti cannons, to humongous balloons in which Wayne got in and walked over the crowds hands, bear costumes and dozens of dancers. They also played old tunes like "In the morning of the magicians" The Lips front man asked the crowd to feel love in the air and smoke weed, apologizing for their 10 year absence. People actually played an important part while the Lips performed "I can be a frog" making animal noises to break out with laser giant hands for "The Science of sleep" to close the show with "Do you realize" Eleanor Tinsley filled with confetti, everyone came together, what a way to close the two day festival.

New band crush: The Manichean

Local band favorite of all times: Tax the wolf.

Band we wanted to perform at FPSF: The Live Lights

                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                        The Manichean at FPSF '10

I've been to many festivals and I'm so glad Free Press Summer Fest didn't disappoint me, even though it rained, mostly on the second day and we became mud-people the festival was amazing, local bands playing next to the best, the shows were on time, stages were on point and food and drink vendors were everywhere. I'm glad to know Houston wants good shows!

Pictures by Breakfast on tour