Video: Banda De Turistas - ''Química''

There’s something undeniably fresh about young-blooded bands reviving the past, and Banda de Turistas is strong proof of it. They crafted blunt and gorgeous records (Magico Corazon Radiofonico & El Retorno) that felt like instant classics but, after the third record, the pulse of their magical radiophonic heart went on a not-so-exciting tangent. Their third album Ya (produced by Babasonicos’ Diego Tuñon and Diego Uma) wasn’t a bad record, but it sure profiled Banda de Turistas as a band that lost the element of surprise at an early age.

Banda de Turistas is already looking ahead and want to be ahead of the curve with the release of “Quimica,” the first single (produced by Los Pericos’ Juanchi Baleiron) that kicks off the promotion of their 2014 album. The attached clip (directed by Ezequiel de San Pablo) shows a vignette of designs and effects that mix well with the song’s gleaming synths, even if there’s nothing really substantial to overanalyze beyond what’s presented. It’s a simple, catchy song, a friendly pop song. This stripping-down-to-the-essentials decision is a safe, yet ultimately smart, step to move forward (or actually, a good opportunity to re-encounter with what they were producing on their first two records). Here is hoping the band will amend into their remarkable past and take a hold of the nostalgia that’s been leaking out of them lately.

Video: Banda De Turistas - "Cada Día"

It might be disingenuous to categorize Banda De Turistas by U.S. groups they relate to (i.e. the Southern Cone Strokes*), but it would be criminal if I neglected to acknowledge their exaggerated appropriation of UK pop, a staple in the decades-old musical diet of Argentines. In “Cada Día,” the group is stripped of their Sgt. Pepper uniforms and left with casual street wear. While their outfits reek of '90s nonchalance, director Alaviu (Martin Bordini**) exerts a surplus of intellectual and skilled labor with new media technology in the likes and on the levels of Radiohead’s “House of Cards.” Similar to the data-mashed “El Rogadero,” the group willfully serves as a guinea pig for a new media experiment, in which color warmth—of photographic faces and bodies—is transformed into a gridded curtain of light-signifying points. In turn, the light points are given their own life as time-enacted, ambisonic sine waves (a total abstract breakdown of a Gestaltian whole). Don’t worry if you can’t make out their faces, I’ve seen them live, and they are gorgeous***.

* I couldn’t resist…Buenos Aires Beatles. Burger Record Rock Cannibals!
** I should recognize and send much love to the fellow new media collaborators: R3nder, Alex Dogrush, Salome, Valeria Laura, Estado Lateral, and the MCCWN community.
***#yeshomo

Banda de Turistas, Ceci Bastida, Hello Seahorse! Among The 11th Annual Latin Grammy Nominees

Congratulations to Banda de Turistas (2 noms!), Ely Guerra, Hello Seahorse!, Choc Quib Town, Ceci Bastida, Julieta Venegas, La Mala Rodriguez, Gustavo Cerati and others for their nominations at this year's Latin Grammys. These nominees probably come from the same people that nominated Juan Son, Natalia Lafourcade, Choc Quib Town and Hello Seahorse! last year.

This will be the 11th edition of the always controversial gala, to be celebrated in Las Vegas in November. Juan Luis Guerra, Jorge Drexler, Alejandro Sanz, and Camila's Mario Domm lead the nominations with 4 nods each. This is by far, the most boring list of nominees in Latin Grammy history, but congrats on the few for their recognition!

The Latin Grammys are always fun to talk about, and not just for their campy value, LARAS is one juicy union to debate over democracy and revalue the weight of entertainment across its platforms. Despite mostly horrible winners, there are always a handfulof dependable voters that make the Latin Grammys far less embarrassing. Yet again, most of the artists we love don’t even subscribe their albums for award consideration, something important toconsider before calling up the snubs.

Full list of nominees @ LA TIMES.

Video + MP3: Poncho feat. Banda de Turistas - "Kansas"

This video and song might sound a bit too old to a section of our readers, it came out last December but we’re barely discovering, it’s one of our favorite tracks from the 2010 LAMC Sampler discs. Poncho is an electronic band from Argentina currently promoting their debut album Ponchototal. From listening to their first single “Kansas”, we can tell the band owes their references a bit too much on the creativity department, nonetheless, this tune featuring Banda de Turistas is one hell of a ride. The video is quite amazing too, it’s alarming and comforting. And they must be doing something right, the record also features collaborations with !!!’s Shannon Funchess and Luis Alberto Spinetta.

♫♫♫ "Kansas"
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Video: Banda de Turistas - "La Hora del Segundo"

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“La Hora del Segundo” is the new video coming out of Argentina’s top new act, Banda de Turistas, from their sophomore album El Retorno (it doesn't seem to appear on Nacional's Magical Radiophonic Heart). It follows the band’s two previous singles “Lo Comandas” and “El Rogadero” which also featured awesome colorful videos with enough youth, movement and shapes to call them epic. Director Roberto Llauro (who also directed “Todo mio el Otono”) doesn’t seem to mind the hazel effects or the spares of digitalism to put into stage the song’s spirit to live life at the moment.

8106 Presents Riesgo, Compilado II

Our awesome friends at 8106, fellow nominees for Best Digital Media Publication at this year’s Indie-O Music Awards, just released their second compilation titled Riesgo. The splendid and trendy blog teamed up with Reactor 105.7 to freeload six pieces that are not to be missed.

The compilation opens the show with Toy Selectah’s terrific remix of “Lo Comandas” from the wonderfully bright kids of Banda de Turistas. Toy’s unmeasured practices prove to be qualities once again, delivering a near perfect reconfiguration of an already quintessential track for the dance floor. After weeks of tremendous buzz, Rey Pila’s “No.114” still feels like a giant “multifarious” chant that is both, painful and celebratory of a breakup.

Riesgo premieres a couple of songs, including a new essential song from Club Fonograma beloved group Quiero Club. The compilation includes a remix of “Musica” by She’s A Tease, it is the band’s new single and will be ‘properly’ released soon featuring several remixes. Abominables, previously known as Six Million Dollar Weirdo! are definitely not among our favorite bands, but they’re so stylized that it’s actually fun to witness their glamorous world, plus “Horror Amor” is a pretty good song. They’re featured with a remix by Disco Ruido, who pushes them into risky business, in fact, “Diamantes” sounds like something coming out of Hidrogenesse.

Los Amparito are just house favorites and their song “De Alla De Un Mundo Raro” is like most of their songs, a hypersonic voyage appreciative of its space and delicacies. The compilation concludes on the roof-scattered vocals of Juan Son, who is featured with a brand new song titled “Mr. Owl.” I don’t think he has ever sounded more creepy than here, but it’s a kind of consoling pain coming out of his vocals that justifies the bizarreness of his fantasized sublime world. “Hello kid, I’ve been watching you…”

We apparently know about compilations, we can say this is one worth to have on your hard drive. Download it at Reactor's Zona de Descargas.

SXSW Entry #4: "Los Amparito"/Banda de Turistas

So...last night was very interesting. I'll address what I mean in a sec. But for now, look at this funny sign:

Good Lord, that male stick figure has the body of Mighty Mouse.

ANYWAY, last night I was supposed to catch shows from Los Amparito and Banda de Turistas. Sadly, as soon as I walked into their gig, the band was finishing a song, complained of sound issues, and then silently packed their gear up. It was a shocking and somewhat sad development, considering the other recent issues the group has seen lately. Hopefully they don't leave sour on Austin or Texas, because they're a VERY talented band, one who I've successfully impressed on some friends in the past few days.

A few days ago, the New York Times made the outrageous statement that Austin was the "breakfast taco capital of the world" (Guanabee should also get credit for alerting me to this shocking development). Listen, I love you Austin, you've been my home for years now, but if I see ANYONE in this city boasting of this "proclamation," I will put on my soccer cleats and slide tackle you in the shin. First of all, Austin only has ONE decent taco place that's open 24 hours. Secondly, I don't think I've ever seen anyone in Austin eat a taco that DIDN'T have cheddar cheese in it (and if you don't know why it's wrong to put cheddar cheese in your taco, you must also write for the Times). Thirdly, and most criminally, STORE BOUGHT TORTILLAS. There's plenty of other circumstantial evidence I could use to disprove the Times' statement, but this is still a music site...until Carlos hires a food editor. As I've said before, I'm from San Antonio, a town of MUCH MORE taco authenticity, and the big city who should rightly be called "breakfast taco capital of the world." Now, obviously anyone who's ever been to the Rio Grande Valley can rightly proclaim that area to have the best tacos in Texas, but good luck getting a New York Times reporter to go down there and say that (kiddiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing, I love the Valley). And I'd love to rep for SoCal, but every time I go over there, some tells me that they "don't eat tacos here...we eat burritos." Well, excuuuuuuuuuuuuse me! Anyway, we all have the right to rep whatever city's tacos that we want, but please, anywhere but Austin, right?

But I digress, I went over to Flamingo Cantina (home of last year's super-awesome Natalia Lafourcade/Hello Seahorse!/Juan Son gig--I maintain that the showcase should have been called "Los Descatados curated by Carlos Reyes") to check out the super-handsome Banda de Turistas. In a sense, their show was a microcosm for the Latin rock star experience at SXSW. Here they are, a band virtually worshiped in their homeland Argentina, but now playing for 50 die-hard American (and maybe Argentinean) fans, yet they still have the mindset that they're playing for thousands of their countrymen. The two guitarists wandered the stage as if they had dozens of feet of free space, always in danger of bumping up against the other. Their keyboard player was tucked away next to the wall, never looking comfortable with what he had to work with. Their lead singer looked away, never seeing a camera that he didn't like. In a way, it was charming, especially because their show hardly suffered from this "demotion." At first, I was going to complain that their music rarely strayed from either a "struting" or "striding" tone, but as I looked at the crowd's reaction (and the reaction of my friend/photographer), I realized that this is precisely what got them this far. Particularly when the band hit its high note on "Sueno O," you could understand how this textured approach to pop-rock can be infectious at times. They still come off to me as a bit too much like Babasonicos-devotees rather than their own band, but after seeing the crowd last night, maybe I really don't know anything. Except where to get a good breakfast taco of course...

Video: Banda de Turistas - "El Rogadero"

This video has been out since last month and it is the bomb! Distorted fields will dislocate your vision, while the song tries to clear up the space for datamoshion to become less obtrusive; it’s a frustrating and spellbinding battle. “El Rogadero” is truly something; I will go far and say it’s the best Banda de Turistas song yet. Jean-Stephane Beriot quoted me on his review of Magical Radiophonic Heart, but this time I’m quoting him back: “El Rogadero is amazing, national irony on the hands of nostalgic kids, mesmerizing, “no escucharemos mas ni un solo ruego, no es que no queramos, es que no podemos." Catch Banda de Turistas at this years Vive Latino and Festival Nrml.

Magical Radiophonic Heart, Banda de Turistas

Magical Radiophonic Heart.
Banda de Turistas
Nacional Records, Argentina
Rating: 79
By Jean-Stephane Beriot

Argentina’s new most hyped band had never been (properly) reviewed by Club Fonograma, now, that’s a surprise. I base myself between the states and Buenos Aires, so I’ve been obviously exposed to all the justifiable attention the band has come to receive, and I’ve witness how it has expanded its wings throughout the continent. For the last three years or so, Argentinean rock has struggled to swim in its own ocean; something awful considering this is perhaps our rock’s historic nation. Thing is, its rock is stuck, not to generalize, but it’s hard to find good rock-alt or even good pop acts emerging from this country, folk and cumbia are the blossoming genres and hopes for this near-collapsed industry.

So when a band like Banda de Turistas pops up out of nowhere, it’s a surprise and a hint for a possible renaissance. The band has that college vibe while maintaining a sense of rock formation. Although they don’t go full retro, these are songs are aware of their history, that by itself makes them contextual rather than mere toe-tapping pieces. On top of the good music, they show skill while keeping the feeling that they’re just kids (ok, serious low-note kids). The release of this album is a bit tricky, combining both of their albums Magico Corazon Radiofonico (badass title) and El Retorno for the band’s first U.S. release. This kind of structure adjustment takes away from the romanticism of the albums and their unique identity, not to mention my favorite track “Sueño 0” from the first album was left out. Also, a 15-track listing is a bit much for a non-conceptual album (and the artwork is weak to say the least, which can’t be said about the original Argentinean releases). But mad props to Nacional for putting it out on the market, it’s as wise as their decision to sign Hello Seahorse! and Quiero Club this side of the border.

But as in any case, it’s all about the songs, and with brilliant stuff like “Todo mio el otoño” and “Lo Comandas”, one comes to appreciate and celebrate this release either way. I’m stunned at how well they conceal their songs, they clearly see them as individual parts (hence the brilliant titles). “El Rogadero” is amazing, national irony on the hands of nostalgic kids, mesmerizing, “no escucharemos mas ni un solo ruego, no es que no queramos, es que no podemos.” Then there is “Un verdadero cajón de madera”, perhaps their biggest hit and best moment yet. I can’t find a better way to describe the song and the band itself than by quoting Carlos Reyes (CF’s ears & brain): “One of those kite songs, so round and attached to its beat that it becomes a flying object, a song on continuum. Because of its peculiar form, it’s hard to keep up with its lyrics, but don’t fear, try shoegaze and soon you’ll find yourself holding the string. They’re far more than just some Babasonicos pupils; it’s the start of a great new Argentinean band.”

♫♫♫ "Lo Comandas"
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Video: "Lo Comandas", Banda de Turistas

We got the new Banda de Turistas CD a few days ago and it sounds pretty good, honestly, we didn’t know about them until recently. Their previous 2007 release, Magico Corazon Radiofonico was one of the most praised rock albums of last year, how did we not picked up on it? I have no clue; it’s one of those rare occasions that remind us that we are settled in the U.S. and people say it takes longer for music to get to us. Or maybe we were just too occupied with Prietto Viaja Al Cosmos Con Mariano.

I’m currently in love with “Todo mio el Otoño”, “Un Verdadero Cajon de Madera” and the title track. Let’s bring a new line of favorites, their sophomore album El Retorno is said to have U.S. distribution already. Here is the video for their new single titled “Lo Comandas”, loving the pentagonal shape, its cosmic surrounding and the five cool charismatic kids playing rock stars. It’s not too hard to understand why Adrian Dargelos (from Babasonicos) calls them the new great Argentinean band.