Tag: "manu chão"

Latin music is often misunderstood since it’s hard to pin down. With such a broad range of music, it’s a challenge to sufficiently define the genre. Recently we asked some of our favorite OurStage Latin artists to share their views a few topics that are important to the genre. We talked to Bergman Pazs, Gio Vanne from Orbita and David Rolas and discussed the state of Latin music, their personal inspirations, and the hardest question of all: What is “Latin?” Read on to see what some of these awesome OS músicos had to say.

OS: Do you feel that Latin artists and bands (mainstream or otherwise) are underrepresented in the media, or do you think that they are showcased appropriately given the audience who enjoys these artists most?

BP: Latin artists in this great country face this [issue] and more, but it’s very understandable. This country was founded under the English language. Yes, it would be useless to advertise them to an audience that doesn’t understand Spanish.

GV: I think that Latin Artists in general, they already have an audience in [the] USA in almost all genres… The biggest problem is that most of these artists/bands are only featured with big label companies which means that there is not given opportunity for new talent (like indie bands or independent artists.) There is a lot of underground/unknown talent out there, [and] it’s so sad that the Latin Grammys and all the other big events (Premios Juventud, or Latin Billboard ) ONLY put the mainstream bands, artists and groups. I hope that some day an event will come out and support all the unsigned /indie artists. We really need an event like that.

In terms of non-Spanish speaking audiences, I don’t think it really matters what language is the music you are playing or hearing, as long the music sounds good. Music is the best translator. Manu Chao, Fabulosos Cadillacs, Pitbull, etc…

DR: I think that Latin music is an international genre and you’d be surprised who listens to our music. We have a very vast audience (i.e. Anglo, Afro-American, Asian, European). And as far as underrepresented…I think we are. It would be nice to get a little bit more exposure than we do. We should get the same attention that other artists get.

OS: In your own music do you find yourself drawing inspiration more from traditional Latin styles and musicians that have been around longer, or from more modern sounds?

BP: Both; I’m sure most Latin artists grew up listening to Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bon Jovi, ToTo, Bob Dylan etc. etc., as well as many folk-Latin artists. You can start with a composition based on a Latin style but switch or twitch it to a modern style.

Continue reading ‘PART 1 OF OUR Q & A WITH OURSTAGE LATIN ARTISTS’

Orbita is without a doubt one of New Jersey’s most exciting up-and-coming Latin Rock bands. Their influences run the gamut from multilingual, classic artists like Manu Chão, to punk/reggae/ska acts like Sublime and Los Rabanes, all the way to modern Latin favorite Café Tacuba. Traces of all these artists can be found in Orbita’s energetic brand of rock music. As for Orbita’s members, they share a variety of Latino backgrounds, hailing from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador, as well as the Garden State itself.

Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Gio tells us that the band has been playing “a lot over the last seven years, places like B.B. King, festivals, benefit concerts, college shows, and private parties everywhere in the tri-state area. We’re currently concentrating on the album and preparing new songs for next year.”

After a lot of hard work, their new, highly-anticipated disc—Masca chicle y no hagas bomba—is slated to come out in October. Right now Orbita is also getting ready for their upcoming shows, which you can take a look at here.

“We really appreciate your help for band like us that are underground in the Latin Rock scene! Gracias again and looking forward to post more new songs on OurStage.com!”