Alt.Latino spring music picks : NPR

ADRIAN FLORIDO, HOST:

We’re smack in the course of spring. And for our mates at NPR’s Alt.Latino podcast, meaning it’s time for some spring cleansing. Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras has been sorting by means of a whole lot of music in his digital mailbox, and he is right here to share among the cool stuff he is been discovering in there. Welcome, Felix. We jumped proper into the music. What are we listening to?

FELIX CONTRERAS, BYLINE: We’re listening to everybody’s favourite flamenco duo, Rodrigo y Gabriela.

(SOUNDBITE OF RODRIGO Y GABRIELA’S “DESCENDING TO NOWHERE”)

CONTRERAS: You already know, they’ve a brand new document out. It is known as “Between Ideas And A New World” (ph). And it is fairly a departure for them as a result of for roughly the final 10 years, they’ve constructed a robust base of superfans with their pyrotechnic shows of guitar chops, leaning closely into flamenco. You already know, they began as – they began music listening to steel, proper? And all these sixteenth notes – they simply transferred over to the entire flamenco factor. However for this, Rodrigo Sanchez is enjoying electrical guitar, they usually even have some digital keyboard stuff occurring. We’re listening to a monitor known as “Descending To Nowhere.”

(SOUNDBITE OF RODRIGO Y GABRIELA’S “DESCENDING TO NOWHERE”)

FLORIDO: Felix, you talked about that Rodrigo y Gabriela constructed their profession and their sound on acoustic guitar. I bear in mind seeing them on the Hollywood Bowl, like, greater than 10 years in the past, and that was form of the bread and butter. Do you assume that followers might be delay by the electrical devices that they are enjoying with now?

FLORIDO: You already know, I noticed them just a few years in the past, and Rodrigo placed on electrical guitar, and no one stated a phrase, man. In truth, they ate it up. I imply, I believe it simply provides one other layer to what they do. And it says every part about who they’re. I imply, I have been a fan from the start. Their first document got here out within the early 2000s, and also you get a way of genuineness from them, by means of their music and who they’re, these two people. And I believe it is as a result of it is – the Felix idea, certainly one of many – I believe it is due to the acoustic guitars which have been their trademark. There’s a direct connection between an artist and an viewers when there’s solely an acoustic guitar standing between them.

And I consider all the nice people musicians from the ’70s who modified the world with their acoustic guitars. After which I additionally take into consideration the custom of the trio – the trio, proper? – in Spanish language music, three-part vocal harmonies, songs about being out and in of affection with acoustic guitars. It is my very own private idea, however I believe the heat of the wooden creates an computerized intimate relationship. And that is what Rodrigo and Gabriela do.

FLORIDO: And the electrical devices on the brand new album do not take away from that in any respect, you assume?

CONTRERAS: To not my ear, bro. It provides one other layer of depth and exploration. It simply makes their music much more enjoyable.

FLORIDO: All proper, Felix. Nicely, subsequent up that you simply introduced in a band that doesn’t have what we might name an enormous profile, however individuals who like them actually, actually dig them.

CONTRERAS: First, let’s hear some music after which we’ll speak about them.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “BLANK CONDOLENCES”)

THE MARS VOLTA: (Singing) I heard it shifting by means of tiny blades of grass, nursed within the bosom the place they circle the drain.

CONTRERAS: The Mars Volta – that is the identify of the band. It is extra of a collective than a band. However the mastermind behind them, from their starting within the early 2000s, is guitarist and composer Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Now, along with vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, you already know, they’ve charted a singular path by means of music, particularly by means of rock. And as you stated, their followers get their message loud and clear. They have been devotedly following them by means of their non permanent hiatuses at totally different factors, or they take breaks so Omar Rodriguez-Lopez can do his personal prolific solo work.

This new album is a track-by-track acoustic transforming of the album that they launched in 2022, which was simply known as “The Mars Volta.” The brand new album known as “Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazon,” which implies “Might God Curse You, My Coronary heart.” This monitor specifically begins with Afro-Cuban rhythms. It begins with a sluggish mambo, after which they transfer on to a Santeria-inspired 6/8 beat. Verify this out.

(SOUNDBITE OF THE MARS VOLTA SONG, “BLANK CONDOLENCES”)

CONTRERAS: Then they choose a rhythm known as Afro.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “BLANK CONDOLENCES”)

THE MARS VOLTA: (Singing) She is going to rise.

CONTRERAS: Different bands have finished this. However, you already know, whenever you’re recognized for adventurous rock, these rhythms open up new methods to understand the band, the music, the lyrics, the singing, every part about it.

FLORIDO: That is so good. What attracts you to this band, Felix?

CONTRERAS: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, bro. You already know, there are some musicians who simply see the world in ways in which we do not, and I at all times take into account them – I name them visionaries, and Omar is certainly one of them. I imply, he hears music by means of a rock filter, by means of an experimental filter. And he is collaborated with all types of musicians, just like the rapper Residente from Calle 13. I noticed them performing collectively as soon as in Austin. It was an incredible mixture of hip-hop and guitar shredding. All of his stuff – it is enjoyable to comply with his musical path. It is like following breadcrumbs by means of his thoughts. It is actually cool.

FLORIDO: He is Puerto Rican, raised in Texas. In all probability plenty of influences there.

CONTRERAS: There you go, man. There you go.

FLORIDO: What monitor ought to we hear to shut us out at this time, Felix?

CONTRERAS: They’ve an actual cool factor known as “Tourmaline.” Test it out.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TOURMALINE”)

THE MARS VOLTA: (Singing) If I needed to discover some stray trace to explain it, absent bouts of escape.

FLORIDO: Nicely, Felix Contreras, host of NPR’s music podcast Alt.Latino, which is a weekly take a look at what’s cool of their world of Latino music and tradition – Felix, thanks a lot for coming by. It has been a blast, man.

CONTRERAS: Hey, man, thanks. Thanks for having me. Good to speak to you once more, bro.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TOURMALINE”)

THE MARS VOLTA: (Singing) If the catatonic partitions shut in on the hem once more, pull the tether down for me. I have been hemorrhaging the sins of those lesser males.

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