Café Tacvba Performs Four Original Songs at the NPR Music Tiny Desk Stage

Posted on October 14, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Café Tacvba doesn’t need a large stage to make an impact…

The five-piece Mexican band brightened the NPR Music Tiny Desk stage with four original songs in a performance released on Friday.

Café Tacvba brought an arsenal of instruments into the cozy space, including ukuleles, guitars, drums, a bass and a melodica.

They opened with the lively “Olita del Altamar,” with singer Rubén Ortega, donning a blue kimono and two top knots, hopping around the setup centered behind a desk in a book-filled office during the song as he joyfully sang in his signature ragged voice.

The group followed with the noticeably more relaxed “Diente de León,” during which Ortega closed his eyes and raised his hands, getting lost in the gentle guitar strumming and warm drum beats.

“Las Flores” flipped the script with an energetic tempo, which inspired the whole room to clap along to the fun ska groove. The band closed their set with “Que No,” an easygoing ballad about love and moving on.

Los Tigres del Norte to Perform at the Tropicália Music and Taco Festival

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Los Tigres del Norte are ready to hail the Queen…

The Grammy-winning Mexican norteño group are set to perform at the Tropicália Music and Taco Festival at Queen Mary Park in Long Beach, CA.

Los Tigres del Norte join a list of more than 50 artists that includes Os Mutantes, Kali Uchis, Café Tacvba and Ivy Queen.

The Tropicália Music and Taco Festival will take place on November 11.

King Krule, Celso Piña, Chicano Batman and Wanda Jackson are also on the multi-generational, multi-lingual bill, according to festival promoters The Observatory Group.

Tickets are now on sale at the festival website starting at $85 and topping at a “Rage on the Stage” VIP pass priced at $500 per person. The price includes all-you-can-eat tacos until 4 p.m. from over two dozen area taquerias.

Here’s the full list of artists slated to play Tropicália:

Alina Baraz
Beach Bums
Brenton Wood
Buttertones
Buyepongo
Café Tacvba
Celso Piña
Chicano Batman
Chulity Vinly Club
Chrome Sparks (DJ Set)
Cuco
Current Joys
Dub Cub
Evelyn “Champagne” King
Funky Sole
Ginuwine
Goldlink
High Curbs
Inner Wave
Ivy Queen
Jack Moves
Jeanette
Jessie Reyez
Jhene Aiko
Jorja Smith
Kali Uchis
King Rule
La Banda Skalavera
Las Cafeteras
Los Tigres Del Norte
Low End Theory
Madlibe
Os Mutantes
Phoney Ppl
Pity Party
Red Pears
Sad Girl
Sango
Scam & Jam
Slow Hollows
Smino
Sonora Dinamita
Surf Curse
Summer Salt
The Delfonics
Thee Commons
Very Be Careful
Weapons of Mass Creation
Wanda Jackson
XXYYXX
Yellow Days

La Santa Cecilia & Mon Laferte Give New Life to Café Tacvba’s “Ingráta”

Posted on July 29, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

La Santa Cecilia and Mon Laferte are celebrating one of Mexico’s most popular bands…

The Mexican-American band joined voices with the 34-year-old Chilean singer-songwriter to pay tribute to the rock band Café Tacvba with a new version of “Ingráta.”

The song was recorded live on a rooftop alongside the Zocalo, the Historic Center of Mexico City – allowing viewers to appreciate the classic colonial architecture of the Metropolitan Cathedral, along with the songs’ traditional folkloric sound.

Café Tacvba to Release New Album “Jei Beibi” in May, Relase New Single “Que no”

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’ll be a special Cinco de Mayo for Café Tacvba fans…

Following the premiere of the Mexican band’s latest singles “Un par de lugares,” “Futuro” and “Disolviéndonos,” Café Tacvba has finally announced May 5 as the release date for their new album Jei Beibi.

The Mexican quartet also dropped a ’70s-inspired ballad titled “Que no” along with the announcement.

“‘Que no’ is a song about love and heartbreak,” songwriter and bassist Quique Rangel said in a statement. “We were able to reach sounds that we had never explored before and evoke rock bands from the ’70s.”

Jei Beibi follows the Mexican band’s 2012 Grammy-nominated LP El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco.

Here’s a look at the band’s upcoming tour dates in the U.S.:

April 20 – New York
September 17 – Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl)
October 15 – Los Angeles (Walt Disney Hall with Gustavo Dudamel and Los Angeles Philharmonic)

Gente de Zona to Co-Headline Celia Cruz Tribute at the Hollywood Bowl

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Gente de Zona is preparing to pay tribute to a late compatriot…

The Cuban reggaeton group, comprised of Alexander Delgado and Randy Malcom Martinez, will perform at the the Hollywood Bowl’s special tribute honoring Celia Cruz.

Co-headlined by Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Angélique Kidjo and Gente de Zona, the tribute to the late Queen of Salsa will take place on August 9 as part of the Hollywood Bowl’s Jazz at the Bowl summer series.

In addition to the Latin Grammy-winning duo and Kidjo, Pedrito Martinez will also perform at the tribute.

The Pedrito Martinez Group, whose Habana Dreams album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Tropical Albums chart last June, will be the opening act.

It’ll be the first time Gente de Zona has performed at the iconic Hollywood Bowl.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Hollywood Bowl’s summer season this year. See you soon in California,” the “Traidora” singers tweeted.

The Celia Cruz tribute is part of the Hollywood Bowl’s summer 2017 lineup recently announced. Other Latin artists on the summer schedule include Café Tacvba, La Santa Cecilia and Mon Laferte, who will perform at the Bowl on Sepember 17 as part of the Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA series.

Café Tacvba Releases Brand New Single “Futuro”

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

The futuro looks bright for Café Tacvba…

The Mexican band has released a brand new single titled “Futuro,” just in time for the new year.

The track features deep lyrics about a fresh new start and enjoying the here and now.

“The relationship between life and death and the perception of time are two themes that ‘Futuro’ explores without solemnity or optimism,” says band member and vocalist on the track Quique Rangel. “But it also points to a brighter promise if we allow ourselves to recognize the here and now (without the desire to be a self-help song).”

Emmanuel Del Real (aka Meme), who developed the electronic programming in the song, adds: “It was Quique’s turn and he brought us ‘Futuro.’ This is one of those songs that, when it arrived to the group, gave us the opportunity to be who we really are: a group who is always trying to reinvent ourselves and take risks. This is a song that has a lot of qualities: it’s primitive yet sophisticated, it has a great sense of humor yet the lyrics are deep. It has elements that allow us, in a fun way, to shape this piece that represents the freedom of creativity that exists within Café Tacvba.”

The folk song with electronica beats and vocals by Rangel and lead singer Rubén Albarrán was produced by the legendary Gustavo Santaolalla, who’s been a longtime collaborator of the band.

“Futuro” follows the chilanga banda‘s single “Un par de lugares,” which premiered back in September.

Both tracks will part of Café Tacvba’s forthcoming album due in spring.

Café Tacvba Signs with William Morris Endeavor

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Café Tacvba has new representation…

The Mexican art-rock band has signed with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.

Café Tacvba

The announcement from WME precedes the band’s new album, and an 18-month worldwide tour coming in spring 2017.

The debut single from Café Tacvba’s new album, the band’s first since 2012’s El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco, dropped in late September.

Gustavo Santaolla, who with Café Tacvba was instrumental in shaping the sound of Latin alternative, is producing the album.

Daft Punk collaborator Mick Guzauski is engineering and mixing the new release.

The influential, three-decade-old group, comprised of Rubén Albarrán, Emmanuel del Real, Enrique Rangel and Joselo Rangel, will play the House of Blues in Chicago on December 20 and 21.

A string of still to be announced North and South American dates are expected to be begin in April 2017.

Bosé Adds Pablo Alborán, Ximena Sariñana & More to His MTV Unplugged Concert Guest List

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Miguel Bosé is unplugging with more Latin superstars…

The Spanish musician and actor has added Pablo Alborán, Maná‘s Alex and Sergio and Ximena Sariñana to the list of special guests slated to take part in his MTV Unplugged concert.

The additions join previously announced Latin superstars Fonseca, Marco Antonio Solís, Natalia Lafourcade and Benny Ibarra for the musical event.

Alborán took to social media to confirm his appearance alongside his fellow Spaniard.

“I have landed in Mexico City where we are ready to shoot Bosé’s MTV Unplugged. It will be a special and magical night and I think everyone will really enjoy it,” said the “Se Puede Amar” singer on Instagram.

The Spanish singer/songwriter’s Unplugged is set to be recorded on Thursday, May 12 in Mexico City and will be aired in the U.S and throughout Latin America in September.

Bosé joins a long list of Latin acts who have recorded an MTV Unplugged including Café Tacvba, Shakira and Los Tigres del Norte.

Monsieur Periné to Perform in the United States

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Monsieur Periné is heading to the States in early 2016…

The Colombian swing band, the 2015 Latin Grammy best new artist winner, will tour the East Coast of the United States in January.

The Django Reinhardt-influenced Latin roots party outfit from Bogota will play two dates in New York, followed by concerts in Philadelphia and Boston.

The band’s album Caja De Música, produced by Eduardo Cabra of Calle 13 fame and featuring Cafe Tacvba’s Ruben Albarran, is nominated for a 2016 Grammy in the Best Latin Rock/Alternative/Urban Album category.

The Monsieur Periné dates are:

Jan. 14 – New York, Highline Ballroom (Central Park SummerStage Preview)
Jan 18 – New York, SOBs
Jan 19 – Philadelphia, World Cafe Live (WXPN Presents)
Jan 24 – Boston, CRASHfest at the House of Blues

Café Tacvba to Receive Icon Award at This Year’s La Musa Awards

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no doubt Café Tacvba is one of the Latin music world’s most iconic bands. And, now they have the award to prove it.

The trailblazing Mexican alt-rockers will be honored with the Icon Award at the La Musa Awards, which will take place on October 15 at The Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami Beach.

The icon designation is fitting for a band that, over the last 25 years, helped elevate rock by fusing it with hip-hop, electronic music, and folkloric sounds.

Recently, the act – consisting of Rubén Albarrán, Emmanuel “Meme” del Real, José Alfredo “Joselo” Rangel, and Enrique “Quique” Rangel – celebrated the 20th anniversary of its seminal album Re, which revolutionized rock en español.

Their most recent album, El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco, was deemed the Best Latin Album of 2012 by iTunes.

Café Tacvba will also perform during the awards show, produced by the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame (LSHOF). The non-profit was founded by renowned songwriters/composers Desmond Child and Rudy Perez in 2012 to honor their peers who have impacted music on a global scale.

Cuban music mogul Emilio Estefan, Chilean singer/songwriter Myriam Hernandez, Argentine composer/performer Gustavo Santaolalla, Argentine singer/songwriter Diego Torres, Colombian songwriter Hector Ochoa Cardenas and Salvadoran singer/songwriter Alvaro Torres are the six music luminaries being inducted into the LSHOF during this year’s ceremony. Quincy Jones will receive the Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award while Chilean rock icon Beto Cuevas will be recognized with a special La Musa Conquistador Award.

Tickets for this year’s gala, hosted by actor/singer Carlos Ponce, are on sale via latinsonghall.com.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Café Tacvba