June 8, 2011

I didn't make a food reference for Japan last week, and that's unlike me. Let's start with one now, shall we?

Burritos. Well played, Mexico. Well played.

I didn't really know much about Mexican music before being assigned the country for Sunday's Strombo Show. It's been in the news recently due to the deadly drug war that's still going on, and if you didn't see the video Mexican teacher Martha Rivera Alanis recorded while a gun fight was happening just outside her classroom, check it out here. She's been given an award for outstanding civic courage by her state governer.

Last week, I knew the band Control Machete. Picking 'De Perros Amores' as my wildcard was a no brainer. Also featuring Ely Guerra, it's a great hip hop track. You can check out some more of Ely Guerra here, as well as the trailer for 'Amores Perros' (soundtracked by my wildcard choice) below. George and I talked about it, and you'll see the praise the film has received. If you haven't seen it, you really must. A warning though, it ain't for the faint of heart.

After doing my research, it seemed El Tri was the evident choice as the "Tragically Hip of Mexico". Lonely Planet called them 'the Godfathers of Mexican rock' and they've been described as Mexico's answer to the Rolling Stones. They've released over 30 long players, becoming the first Mexican band to have a record go gold in the process. Just listen to the crowd singing along in the video below. They're performing the song we played on the show, 'Triste Cancion de Amor', but augmented with a freakin' orchestra.

George and I chatted about the huge Latin influence in Los Angeles, and El Tri are also pretty popular there and in the rest of California. They've sold out gigs at San Francisco's legendary Fillmore and played the Hollywood Auditorium amongst other great venues.

I chose a hip hop act as my wildcard, and looking at new music in Mexico the hip hop scene, as George said, is definitely burgeoning. Below is a track I found by a gentleman who calls himself Bocafloja. You can head to his MySpace to check out more of his videos.

For the up and comer, eventually I chose this track from Aeiou (pronounced A-E-I-O-U or Ay-ooooooh...? Who knows?) called 'Vivimos in LA'. It's a gorgeous track, featuring Kelley Deal from the Breeders. By the way, it's Kelley's (and obviously Kim's) 50th birthday on Friday. Happy birthday to the Deal twins!

I could have chosen the track below though, from Guadalajara's Marlento, called 'As The World Turns'. There's a great alt/rock scene happening at the moment in the Mexico's second city. The first few bars of this record really remind of 'Fortunate Son'. Not a bad thing.

As The World Turns by Marlento

Or, how about this great pop number from Disco Ruido! called 'Amorfos'?

Okay, what have we learned today? Burritos are awesome, you need to see 'Amores Perros' and the Mexican music scene is in good shape.

Let me know what you think, and if there's anything I've missed on Twitter, @calumshanlin

Previously: Japan // France // Scotland