SXSW 2010 RECAP

BY  Z

Hello Houston! we finally catch up on our sleep! These two weeks have been crazy, SXSW rocked our socks out, WMC can only get better and better plus lots of shows in the HTX and Austin. We are finally now writing it all down or should we say typing, as we sip on much needed coffee.

Wednesday day #1

Online magazine Remezcla and BMI came together for this year’s SXSW and hopefully many other projects in the Latin Alternative scene, their showcase took place at “Mi casa cantina” the party got the grove on with songs like “Chicle”  from Los Angeles based band, La Santa Cecilia opening the show followed by Maneja Beto representing Austin.

One of the bands we were really looking forward to see live was Palenke Soultribe, based in LA with Colombian roots and flavor brought together Electronic music with Afro-Colombian rhythms burning down the house with “Popular Music” and “The Color of your dreams” at one point Itagui from Miami-based mash-up masters “Locos por Juana” joined them to perform.

Vicente Gayo was also one of the bands we were dying to check out and didn’t disappoint us whatsoever!!  These kids from Mexico put on a hell of a show with songs like “No Move” and “Rec, Play and Stop” followed by Volovan and  Maluca Mala who made a cover from Mexican singer Gloria Trevi who drove the crowd nuts!

   

 Vicente Gayo  photo by: Mario Contreras

Sounds of Spain never disappoint us, it took place at Entourage this year, we made a list of shows we wanted to see with no doubt and Los Planetas were on it, ever since their song “Mi hermana pequena”  we haven’t stop tracking them down, of course we got pictures taken and all.  Huecco performed in Houston with Maldita Vecindad the day before and we still had to go check them out, they’re just awesome!! Amaral and Nudozurdo made the crowd sing along their song and they gave out Paella, a Spanish dish and red Spanish wine which was pretty cool in case you were hungry!

   Nudozurdo  photo by: Mario Contreras

                                                            
















 

Los Planetas photo by: Juan Rivas

                                                                                  
Next stop was Iron Gate, goods friends from Kinetic were spinning where all the real party was going down.

We checked out great djs such as Sonora, Chief Boima, Lazer Sword, Poirier, Geko Jones, which wasn’t playing that night but stop to say hi, Pagame Uproot Andy from Que Bajo was spinning when we got there, we could hear  “Brooklyn Cumbia” blasting on the speakers as we were walking down the street towards the venue!! Other djs we weren’t familiar with but loved their mad skills were Ghosts on tape, Jahdan Blakkamoore. They also had great music in the inside of the venue with Lemonade, delorean, Orion and Dj Dus in charge of the party, they took turns and their sets were unbelievable. 

Maluca putting it down at Iron Gate photo by: Lucia Ayala

Directly from Argentina: Banda de Turistas!

By: LucyRock

Staying in Houston for your spring break? Well we have good news! It seems as if that all the good bands won't only be going to the awesome festivals such as SXSW, Nrmal and MtyMx and it looks like as if the cities around the music and political capitol of Texas, will be lucky enough to get some of them to go to them and play.
One of them being the Argentinan band named "Banda de Turistas". They will be playing at Amnesia Disco, with two local bands "Ultimo Instinto" and "Maria de Negro". Although a lot of poeple will be away from the space city, the ones staying should most definately go.
In the past, we have swinged by and stayed at shows in which "Maria de Negro" plays, their lead singer Maria has an amazing voice and they are truly one of the best local Hispanic bands in Houston, and it's always oh so good to see them play; plus seing "Banda de Turistas" for the first time in Houston, is a once in a lifetime chance that you don't want to miss! It's during Spring Break! Get off your couch and go listen to some good bands!  Pre-sale tickets will be sold at Discomundo and Chilo's Seafood.
 Want to check other tour dates? Music videos and mp3's done by "Banda de Turistas" and much more information of them: http://www.bandadeturistas.com.ar/

Willie Nelson

By: Lucyrock

Our friends from the band Niña are just about to drop their latest EP “Willie Nelson VS Ralph Macchio” which includes the songs “Primavera 96” and their latest track "Willie Nelson". These two singles are pretty good showing some of the old style and a little new and improved Niña. We have seen them play live before in the SXSW's Gibson Guitar showcase back in 2008, and they give one of the best shows live and if you have a chance to see them live go see them.You can exclusively download and listen their latest track “Willie Nelson” the first track of their EP in their blog Niña

Listen and enjoy!

Cumbia in Screwstown Texas!

By: LucyRock

For the first time ever one of the biggest DJ's out in the Mexican cumbia scene came down to visit and play for an open audience here in Houston, Texas's own and hottest indie music scene club "The Mink". Invited by Larry Tee, POSR, Grrl Parts, Damon Allen and Ceeplus Knives; Toy Selectah spinned an awesome set full of cumbia, afro beats, raverton, and so much more that kept the whole place pumping, shaking and dancing the whole time. At one point the crowd invaded the stage, and even an some few awesome dancers kept the whole crowd dancing. It was definately the show to not miss in February and we certanly hope you didn't and in case you did, or want to revive your memory here are some of the pictures!

To see more check out our: Flickr

Austin’s 411 and more!

By Deja Zu

March is one of our favorite months of the year! We; in the lone star state, await all year around for SXSW which takes place in Austin, TX, be ready and prepare to expect bigger experiences just like they say it “everything is bigger in Texas!”

We don’t only mean the awesome bands; parties and showcases there are to crash but also restaurants, hotels, etc.

We bring you the scoop, all budgets, Check it out!

Real BBQ, Fried Steak and Margaritas?? Welcome to Austin, TX our Mecca!

To begin with most major airlines land on Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, located ten miles from downtown! Get a rental car to get around; as taxis can be limited especially during SXSW don’t forget to designate your driver!!!

Where to stay???
The Habitat Suites are very comfy and S.E.X.Y their green bona fides include using only nontoxic fertilizers and pesticides and biodegradable paper goods!! Rooms from $137; 500 East Highland Mall Boulevard; 800-535-4663; habitatsuites.com

Closer to downtown??
Hotel San José is one of our favorites!! Coffee shops are a walking distance and good food too! Rooms from $95; 1316 South Congress Avenue; 800-574-8897; sanjosehotel.com

No Budget??
Crashing an after-party never fails, waking up in unknown places is always a good sign of having a hell of a time!

Grub??
Whole Foods Market
The biggest market shopping trendy store!!! Buy some fresh Texas peaches, local Pure Luck Farm goat cheese! 525 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-476-1206; wholefoodsmarket.com

The Mighty Cone
Get really Texan! Enjoy an authentic taste of Texas in trailer park! Mobile vendors gathered in a dusty lot, a high-end Austin restaurant famous for local game. Don't pass up the grass-fed venison in a cone-shaped tortilla with mango-jalapeño slaw. Vegetarians should try the almond- and sesame-seed encrusted avocado cone with chili flakes!!
1600 South Congress Avenue; 512-383-9609; mightycone.com

Corner Store
Beer and Chips are always a must!!!

Enjoy!

The Monster Has Awaken: MtyMx - Festival de Musica y Arte Para Todas Las Edades

By: LucyRock

            A musical monster has awaken in the city of Monterrey, N. L.; Mexico, and it's set to awake from March 20 - 22 of 2010 bringing with it sounds not only from United States and other places around the world. This new monster is called “MtyMx” a festival of not only music but art of 30 different visual artists that will show their art just like the musicians, outside in the free air. This festival is the something fresh that we have been looking for, among our favorite bands that will attend are Los Planetas, White Ninja, Los Llamarada. Mockinpott, DD/MM/YYYY, Bam Bam, Los Fancy Free, Chikita Violenta, Ratas Del Vaticano and Quiero Club.

     

  from left to right:   top - Bam Bam, Chikita Violenta

bottom - Los Planetas, Quiero Club      

            The tickets range $200.00 pesos per day and $400.00 for the three days, you can purchase them online through paypal. If you have no place to stay, you can do hotel reservation in Hotel Fundador, they have different rates for the different rooms and beds that are needed, just email mtymxhotel@gmail.com so they can reserve the room for you.

            We are so excited for this new event organized by Yo Garage and Todd P. we have actually gone to events organized previously be Yo Garage and they are always fun and have something new and exciting to show we really cannot wait to go to this event and hope that you do as well, you don’t want to miss the awakening of this amazing monster of music and art and unlike other festivals is open to all ages; so you can experience new music new art in the outdoors of Monterrey.

from left to right:   top - The Coathangers, White Ninja

bottom - Ratas del Vaticano, Das Racist

            For more information about the bands and more updates make sure to check out their official website MtyMx.

 

My Broken Embraces.

                                                        

By Daniel Salazar

“I’ve seen other films by Almodovar which were more meaningful in less amount of time”

Harry Caine, is a blind writer, who works with Judit and her son Diego, Caine is actually Mateo Blanco. He begins using Harry Caine as an alias after losing his sight in a car accident. News arrive of the death of corrupt stockbroker Ernesto Martel, who once produced a movie Mateo directed called “Girls and suitcases”

A pretentious man named Ray X, who is actually Ernesto Martel’s son, asks Harry to work with him on a story which Ray wants to direct. The story of a young man, son of a millionaire lady with no scruples, a son which was worried about art and had talent to be an artist, never accepted by his father. When his father died, his son wished upon burning his name so he could have his vengeance and get rid of his father’s memories.

The film now goes back to 1992 where Martel falls in love with his secretary, a wanna-be actress turned into a prostitute. He and Lena become a couple in 1994. However, when Lena auditions for “Girls and Suitcases” Blanco also falls in love with her.

It is very noticeable how Almodovar links films inside films, his stories have always had a close relationship to theatre or films, and the lives of the characters that have that kind of lifestyle, approaching his characters closely in the story of a film, inside another film.

 Tonino Guerra is mentioned in the movie, which to me is one of the greatest writers in the Italian film industry, especially in Italian Neorealism of 1940s and 50s, which I really liked.

Broken Embraces to me is similar to Federico Fellini’s 8 ½, Elevator to the Gallows of Louis Malle, personally to me because of the settings, scenery and takes but keeping it at the same fun level. Timing barely changes but it takes us away, this could’ve been hard to the expectation.

At last, in my opinion Broken Embraces is about loves of the cinema world of Almodovar the blending of the 7^th art with average lives, the reflexion of society shows us the difference of good and bad films in a film itself in their own version of other films. It’s also about a man who neglected his past or tried to and took more than 14 years to face it and make it right. Mateo ends up being a better character.  I think it’s explainable why not to ignore Fascist dictatorships and make it right.

 It seems to tell us no to ignore but to become better characters, everyone has had embraces wishing they would be forever when I the end these are broken. Broken Embraces is not only about troubled love affairs but about the responsibility to finish everything we get started everything, every new journey even in the blind.