Miercoles Musical: Regreso Julieta!

With a new year comes new music from some of our favorite artists including Mexican Julieta Venegas. One of my favorite concerts was seeing her at SummerStage in 2008 (thanks again Maegan!) so you can imagine how thrilled I am to listen to her latest tune. This song is very catchy, features some accordion and is (dare I say) poppy without being too saccharine.

Naturally, I enjoy the new song very much but how do you feel about it?

(Hat tip: Guanabee via Vivirlatino).

Online Sources- Guanabee, The Latin Americanist, Vivirlatino, YouTube

Today’s Video: Human rights for all!

Today is International Human Rights Day but also the 60th anniversary of the passing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

All of the treaty’s goals have yet to be reached and countless number of people globally suffer from human rights abuses. Despite the criticism the UDHR is a landmark covenant, a key to international law, and a necessary tool to combat some of the world’s evils.

As part of today’s anniversary, Amnesty International distributed a music video on human rights with the likes of Yerba Buena, Julieta Venegas and Arteciolepados:

(Hat tip: PBS).

Sources- Guardian UK, United Nations, YouTube, Deutsche Welle, PBS

Today’s Video: Julieta “en vivo” (SummerStage edition)

On Saturday, Maegan and yours truly took a trip to Central Park not to attend the overhyped Bon Jovi gig but to see the Julieta Venegas concert. As part of LAMC, the free concert showcased the talents of Venegas along with Plastilina Mosh and DJ Bitman. It was a spectacular concert with great music, warm weather, and a fantastic atmosphere.

Don’t believe me? Then check out her finale where she sings “Me Voy” along with some help from a very thankful audience:

p.s. Thanks for coming out Maegan and letting me hang out with your charming family!

Sources- YouTube

Today’s Video: Julieta “en vivo”!

Back in June we mentioned six free concerts in New York City that feature extraordinary Latin American musicians who are worth checking out. One of them is Mexican songstress Julieta Venegas who will grace the Central Park SummerStage this afternoon. Along with fellow countrymen Plastilina Mosh and Chile’s DJ Bitman the concert should be an unbelievable experience. (Despite the massive hype revolving around tonight’s Bon Jovi gig!)

Here’s Venegas performing live last year at Coachella:

By the way, if you are going to the concert and see Maegan or I don’t hesitate to come over and say “hi!”

Sources- Vivirlatino, The Latin Americanist, YouTube, Huevos Pericos

De Musica Ligera: Big Apple summer concerts, 2008 version

Last year we gave a list of six great free concerts that took place over the summer in New York City. This year promises to be no different as there are dozens of free gigs all over the Big Apple over the next three months and some of them feature Latin American and Spanish artists.

Here are six more free summer concerts that have caught our attention:

* June 15: Victor Manuelle

Award-winning salsero Victor Manuelle will be performing as part of the Central Park Summerstage series and to promote his latest album released last week.

• YouTube: Victor Manuelle – Si La Ves

* June 26: Sofia Tosello, Sabrina Lastman

El Museo del Barrio’s “Women on the Verge” series, will featured two Southern Cone singers representing numerous musical styles.

• YouTube: Sabrina Lastman - Color de Arena

* July 10: Si*Sé, Yerba Buena

Pier 54 along the Hudson River will host several concerts with one of them showcasing the groovy Latintronica of Si*Sé and the funky sounds of Yerba Buena.

• MP3: Si Se – Amiga

* July 15: Julieta Venegas, Plastilina Mosh

Mexican songstress (and personal favorite) Julieta Venegas will be at Summerstage accompanied by the master funkers of Plastilina Mosh.

• MP3: Julieta Venegas – Yo Te Quiero

* July 25: Atlas Sound, El Guincho

The music of Spain’s El Guincho is hard to easily categorize; let’s just say he’s a modern-day Esquivel.

• MP3: El Guincho – Antillas

* August 8: Lila Downs, Villa-Lobos Brothers, Grupo Norteño

A trio of Mexican musicians will be highlighted in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park including the chanteuse Downs and the regional style of the Villa-Lobos Brothers.

• YouTube: Villa-Lobos Brothers – (Unknown Title)

The aforementioned artists and others like Brazilian Girls, Folklore Urbano, and Maria Rita represent the great cornucopia of Latin American music that will be performing soon. So if you’re in la Gran Manzana this summer be sure check out at least one of these great concerts. (Perhaps we’ll see you there)!

Sources- The Latin Americanist, El Museo del Barrio, Central Park Summerstage, Celebrate Brooklyn, YouTube, YouSendIt, River to River, pier54.com

Image- New York Press (Si*Sé performing on Governor’s Island in 2007)

Today’s Video: “Nueva Musica” – Julieta Venegas

In anticipation of Friday’s free summer concerts in New York list our final video this week looks at one of my favorite musicians: Mexico’s Julieta Venegas.

The songstress’ latest album includes songs from her recently-televised MTV Unplugged appearance. In the special, she sang her repertoire of songs in an intimate setting and with guests including Mala Rodriguez and Gustavo Santaolalla. One of the tunes covered by Venegas was “El Presente” which can be viewed by clicking the link below. (Unfortunately the clip cannot be embedded).

Click here to watch Julieta Venegas - El Presente (MTV Unplugged Version)

Previous videos this week: Adriana Calcanhotto, Grupo Uranio, and Sergio Mendes.

Sources- The Latin Americanist, julietavenegas.com, Billboard, YouTube, Vivirlatino

De Musica Ligera: It's almost time for LAMC!

The Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) will be held again this July in New York City. Some bloggers like our dear contributor Maegan la Mala will be attending the many activities at LAMC such as panels on blogging and music.

One of the best aspects of LAMC is the numerous concerts to be held around town and that are open to the public. Some of these concerts are free and cannot be missed! Brooklyn Vegan has a helpful list of this year’s LAMC events.

The following are MP3s of a few of the artists performing at this year’s LAMC. We hope you enjoy them and also hope you all have a great weekend!

• Brazilian Girls – Jique
• Forro in the Dark – Limoeiro do Norte
• Julieta Venegas – Flor
• Plastilina Mosh - Bungallo Punta Cometa

Sources- Latin Alternative Music Conference, Brooklyn Vegan, VivirLatino

Image- HispanicMPR.com

Quote of the Day: Reggaetonero + rockera = sweet music

“I love Julieta Venegas; she is so distinguished…I am hopeful that we can record a duet for my next album.”

--Puerto Rican reaggaeton star Tego Calderon (image) remarked on his desire to collaborate with Mexican singer/songwriter Julieta Venegas.

Calderon said that his wish came from Venegas’ duet with up-and-coming Spanish rapper Mala Rodriguez.

Source (English)- Kansas City Star

Source (Spanish)- Voy Music

Image- Spin.com

Daily Headlines: August 9, 2007

* Brazilian police arrested Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia (image), one of the world's most wanted drug traffickers.

* Rockera Julieta Venegas may be the opening act for Spaniard Miguel Bose’s tour in Mexico after both recorded a duet for Bose’s latest album.

* Several Central American leaders held a “mini-summit” yesterday to observe the twentieth anniversary of the Esquipulas II Accord for peace.

* “Secret negotiations” have been going on that would provide a boost in anti-drug assistance from the U.S. to Mexico.

* Ecuador and Colombia made up almost one-third of all the remittances sent out of Spain, according to recent data.

* Puerto Rico’s First BanCorp agreed to a multimillion dollar settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over fraud allegations.

Sources (English)- Reuters, VOY Music, Monsters & Critics, Wikipedia, Christian Science Monitor

Sources (Spanish)- El Diario/La Prensa

Image- BBC News