Video: Yo! Linares - "Cocktail"

Regardless of their formless noise, Yo! Linares’s debut is one of our most anticipated rock albums this year. A few months ago we reinstated our love towards the band via Twitter, sharing their anthem “Unos Amigos, Unos Vatos, Unos Güeyes”; the infectious title is so appealing, our followers from other countries replied with their own slant (“Unos panas, unos shamos, unos cholos…”), but as usual, 140-character rule killed the word-chain. The band is looking for that level of circular response on their new single “Cocktail”, which they’ve just made available for open download. The rock-maze and spiral noise are back, as well as the exciting in-group roars that usually come up near the end of their songs. This is the most psychedelic release Happy-Fi has released in years, the song is a blast, and bonus points for the teleporting video.

Download "Cocktail" HERE.

MtyMX --- by Cheky (Jóvenes y Sexys)

A lot has been said about the first edition of the MtyMx festival in Monterrey, Mexico. I think it has already been covered extensively in reviews by NY Times, Impose, Stereogum, etc. Yes, there was trouble with the organization and logistics. Yes, like one third of the bands in the line-up didn’t show up. Yes, there were issues with the transportation. Yes, there were only a few hundred people in the audience (Monday afternoon was a little depressing, with 20 people or less watching High Places). But let me tell you, I was there, I watched all the bands but two (including after parties), met a lot of people, lived the whole experience, and the truth is I had one of the best times of my life. That being said, I can now talk about the music, focusing on the Iberoamerican bands.

DAY 1:

The first Mexican band to take the stage was Yo! Linares, with an energetic performance. People's reaction to El Resplandor's set took me by surprise. They managed to hypnotize us all with their primitive, minimal, raw, sort of tribal music. Lázaro Valiente made the whole audience get involved in the show, giving us all little toys and instruments to collaborate with by the end of his set. Guadalajara's Soho Riots sounded really tight, giving us a lengthy, noisy, improvisational ending. The guys from Quiero Club weren't so happy with their show, since they had some monitoring problems, but it was a lot of fun. The set mainly covered songs off Nueva América. By the time Los Planetas were playing, I was frozen and my legs weren't responding, so I didn't get to enjoy it as much as I wanted to. But there were a lot of fans singing the songs. I was excited to see Chikita Violenta getting on the stage and setting up their gear, but shortly after they had to get off because of time issues. Bummer.

Kría Brekkan's show was beyond beautiful. Das Racist are incredible. Explode into colors, The Coathangers, Coastings and Teengirl Fantasy had us all dancing. Acid Mothers Temple was epic. Male Bonding are a personal fav. Adventure and Drawlings opened the festival on an experimental mood. But actually one of my favorite moments of day 1 happened at the after party: Aa.

DAY 2:

Piyama Party opened the second day of MtyMx with a great set. White Ninja was disastrously refreshing, marking the first on-stage appearance of Alexico of the festival. Los Llamarada were good, but their music never managed to get my attention entirely. Le Macabre Party was a pleasant surprise, I couldn't stay still with their fast dance punk. This was Alexico's second appearance. Antoine Reverb was for me, no joke here, one of the best moments of the festival, the show was beautiful. Then, XYX took the stage for a few couple of songs, when they decided to quit the show because they couldn't hear anything on stage (besides, Mou's drum kit was falling apart, he plays so damn hard!). It was a shame, it was sounding really good. Los Margaritos' show was amazing, this is a band that has to be seen live. Los Fancy Free brought us one of the biggest rocking moments of the whole festival. They played a 15+ minutes cover of a Paul McCartney song that ended with like 20 people from the audience on stage, dancing, stage diving and playing the band's instruments.

Dan Deacon's show was one of the best I've ever seen. I had never felt so involved in a show. Telepathe were sweet and awesome. Banjo or Freakout was more of a rock band than I expected, but I enjoyed it a lot. Ringo Deathstarr didn't sound so good, but they delivered good songs and great shoegazer moments. Andrew WK was fun, but I feel like people didn't know what to expect.

DAY 3

Sr. Amable & Mr. Raccoon played a rocking set, joined by members of En Ventura. They even played En Ventura's "Ingenuo", presented by Sr. Amable as "one of the best songs of the last decade". Too bad people didn't really connect with them. Mentira Mentira's set was excellent, but mainly because of singer/guitarist Gaby doing crazy things like playing between the audience, climbing the lighting structure, taking his pants off, running around barefoot, etc. Alexico's fourth and final appearance on stage (third one was as a translator of an impromptu comedy show by Dan Deacon's mate, Mason, the previous day) was to play his solo songs, in collaboration with Luxor, from BamBam and Selma Oxor. In fact, she presented the show as Alexico + Selma Oxor, and I think the match went great, fun times. I didn't have the chance to enjoy Mockinpott's show, because I was busy setting up mine, but the little I got to hear sounded pretty nice. Then, at dusk, it was Jóvenes y Sexys' turn. I'm not going to review my own show haha. Loocila couldn't finally make it, so I got some help by Laiza (Celesta en la cesta, uvi.lov) and Lázaro Valiente. Next, I ran to catch one of the bands I was expecting the most: BamBam. I was sad because they only played two songs off their self titled album (both amazing), but the new ones sounded pretty awesome. Ratas del Vaticano had some sound issues, but people were reacting well. Then Neon Indian, one of the main acts, brought us a very fun and great sounding show. At the after party, XYX had a second chance to play and I'm glad they did. This band rocks very much. It reminds me of Lightning Bolt (that's a compliment).

International favorites of the night? Hands down, HEALTH. This is unbelievable. High Places opened the day with a beautiful show, mostly playing new songs. Best Fwends was a lot of fun, ultra energetic and funny. Lemonade was great! Some serious dancing here. Indian Jewelry finally made it, putting a dark, powerful live show. I was too tired by the time Liars took the stage, but it was really good too.

So yeah, I was depressed because half of the bands I wanted to see pulled out, but I'm happier because of the quality of the bands I did see. I hope the organizers don't feel defeated (I'm sure they don't) by the missteps of this edition, and that they learn from their mistakes, because I feel this festival has to be done every year, and it'll only get better. I want to thank Yo Garage's crew, Todd P and his friends, and all the volunteers for making this happen and for inviting us. And I want to say that I feel honored because Jóvenes y Sexys was the only Venezuelan band, and the only Latin, non-Mexican band to play at this inaugural edition of the festival, it means a lot.

On a note aside, I don't feel like being controversial, but I'm having a hard time trying to understand the bands that pulled out of the festival because of fear. Maybe it's because in my country we're so exposed to violence daily and we're sadly getting used to it, I don't know. There was some bad timing with this festival due to isolated events, but people have to realize Latin America is not the Wild Wild West.

Text and photos by Cheky.

MtyMX Begins

I’m interrupting Andrew Casillas’ tasteful SXSW coverage to begin our exciting MtyMX coverage, wait… we’re not going! You guys have no idea how excited we are about this festival, but you can’t travel too far without money. Everyone was expecting us to go considering we’re one of the few blogs out there that has heard all the Mexican bands set to perform. Yesterday, Pitchfork’s founder Ryan Schreiber posted a wonderful mix of Mexican bands (+ Jovenes y Sexys) playing at the fest, mentioning Club Fonograma among his references for his DIY Mexico Mix. If you have reading us since then, know we’re not based in Mexico, but the U.S. It was great to see our link a P4k, although it added to our disappointing of not being able to get ourselves down there.

But we won’t let this landmark event just pass by us; our dear Venezuelan friend Cheky from Jóvenes y Sexys will be covering the fest for us (at least in pictures). His band will be playing on Monday, so if you’re down there, don’t miss it. In an effort to get you on the mood, for all those who can’t be there, here are some mp3s from most of the Mexican bands playing today. The headliners for this kickoff Saturday: Los Planetas, Acid Mothers Temple, Chikita Violenta, Telepathe & Quiero Club.

♫♫♫ Quiero Club feat. Jorge Gonzalez. "Minutos de Aire"

♫♫♫ Yo! Linares. "Unos amigos, unos vatos, unos güeyes"
♫♫♫ Lazaro Valiente. "Benvindo"
♫♫♫ Chikita Violenta. "Laydown"
♫♫♫ Soho Riots. "Mr. Tambourine Man"

Happy-Fi Free Sampler Spring 2010

Happy-Fi is really mounting up on the shortlist for Mexico’s finest label. They’ve always assured quality, but their latest stuff is just colossally great. At the very least, they are scoring some major singles, some of them making their way into anthems. They’re sharing their Free Sampler Spring 2010, featuring Monterrey’s Quiero Club, Niña, El Cuarto, Yo! Linares and Pato Machete. Also, we would like to highlight the songs by Los Erres and d3NdRON which are great but have been previously neglected by us. But especially, get the original cut of “Datos Intimos” by She’s a Tease, the Disco Ruido’s brilliant club mix overshadowed (in a nice way) the already classy hymn. Grab these songs HERE.

Coyote Nights Compilacion #5, Happy-Fi

COYOTE NIGHTS COMPILACION #5,
HAPPY-FI
Happy-Fi, Mexico ***1/2
Rating: 74
By Jean-Stephane Beriot

Happy-Fi is like the happiest home of Mexican pop, one of those labels that are truly run by its artists who for the most part, make bright harmless pop that is as warm and comfy as long sleeve sweaters. While their previous compilations seemed like statements of eternal youth or at least teenage yearning stuff, their fifth compilation titled Coyote Nights is powerful box full of pop waiting disperse through the night. We’ve met most of these artists at some point, either on previous numbers of the series or on side releases, so this time it’s not as random as I would like it to be. But don’t get it wrong, this isn’t one of those promo upfront albums American labels release every year. It’s almost impossible not to do a track-by-track review even if they are following a theme; these are some of my thoughts.

It opens with the nostalgic “Beso de Sol” by Camilo Mejia who sets the perfect peaceful mood for the birth of something beautiful. d3NdRON follows with “Mitras Anthem”, one of my favorites; I always fall for those pieces that pay homage to origin or serve as centers of interaction. It’s been a while since I heard “Disdrive” by Japan’s 80kidz who I imagine made a close relation with the label after their awesome remix for Quiero Club’s “Let Da Music.” El Cuarto unfolds “Minimal” as a dance waiting to happen, very 80s like and infectious. Niña was one of the first Mexican bands I really listened to, so it obviously holds a bit of sentimentalism from my part, they do a fine job here with “Primavera 69.” I’ve never heard of She’s a Tease but enjoyed them as well. It’s time to tell you about my favorite, “Unos Amigos, Unos Vatos, Unos Gueyes” is arresting and a revelation for Yo! Linares who sound like Los Campesinos! and Dananananaykroyd.

And of course, Quiero Club shows up and they’re a pleasure, I don’t think there is a band that sounds as fresh as they do in the entire world. The May Fire is a great band, its vocalist Cat Tasso (from Chile) delivers great live shows, probably the darkest moment in the album. By now we can pretty much say Jovenes y Sexys is a universally-acclaimed band whose Bruno EP doesn’t seem to age a bit, they’re here too with their hit “El Reloj.” The album gets a bit too dreamy near the end, but Quiero Club saves the flame in collaboration with HC (who have a track together on the Rudo y Cursi Soundtrack), “Baila” is like a lost piece Nueva America, upbeat and glamorous. Perhaps it’s not a groundbreaking album, but it makes me wish for a Happy-Fi stage at Vive Latino (a la Discos Intolerancia), good pop seriously needs more presence among our festivals.

♫♫♫ "Unos Amigos, Unos Vatos, Unos Gueyes", Yo! Linares (right click, save as)
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