Venezuelan “Amigos” Upset Over Chavez Ad

With Venezuela’s presidential elections less than a month away both incumbent Hugo Chavez and rival Henrique Capriles are seeking any advantage they can get.  Yet the use of music to support the current president has raised the ire of one well-known Venezuelan band.

Members of Los Amigos Invisibles have asked a state-run radio station to quit running pro-Chavez campaign ads that use their 2004 song “Majunche.” 

"They've expropriated Majunche.  Just what we needed," tweeted bass player Jose Rafael Torres after the group found out that the YVKE station used their song. Meanwhile a spokeswoman for the band's management claimed to Reuters that the song was utilized without the band’s permission.

The instrumental tune, whose title is roughly translated as “Loser,” was played behind a speech where Chavez declared that “The loser won't win elections in Venezuela ... this year, or even in 2,000 years!”

Several members of “Los Amigos” have not been shy in admitting that they support the former governor of Miranda state.  “I would like to be an oligarch but I don’t have any lands…I’ve been forced to be on the opposition by conviction,” Torres tweeted.  Percussionist Marco Arias composed a song for the Capriles campaign entitled “Algo bueno está pasando” (“Something good is happening”).  Lyrics for the upbeat tune include “We’re all going to celebrate” and “Something good is happening, change is coming.”

De Musica Ligera: Buen provecho!

A quick congrats to personal favorite Los Amigos Invisibles who will be one of the bands scheduled to be this year's Lollapalooza festival in Chicago. Hence, the video below of Los Amigos noshing on some delicious Venezuelan food:

Hungry anyone?

Daily Headlines: February 16, 2010

* U.S.: Morrissey, Los Tigres Del Norte, and Aventura will have songs included in an album aimed at promoting Latino participation in the 2010 Census. (“Mentiras” by Los Amigos Invisibles will be on the album; hence, the above video).

* El Salvador: Authorities arrested three suspects accused in the September 2009 murder of Spanish filmmaker Christian Poveda.

* Mexico: Roman Catholic bishops have become the latest group to criticize the Mexican government’s anti-violence strategy.

* Chile: In a positive sign for Chile’s economy the country’s copper exports doubled in January.

Online Sources- NME, BBC News, LAHT, AP, Bloomberg

Today’s Video: “It’s a love song…”

This week’s look at upcoming free concerts in New York ends tonight. In the past four days, we’ve highlighted music from Los Amigos Invisibles, Chicha Libre, Curumin, and Alex Cuba. We’re taking a different turn tonight by quickly highlighting two great Latino comics.

Pablo Francisco and Gabriel Iglesias will both be performing in Central Park next Friday evening. Both these comedians have been frequently on Comedy Central and have also had their own specials. Iglesias sometimes uses self-deprecating humor to poke fun at his obesity (e.g. the five levels of fatness) while Francisco is best-known for his impressions and wide-ranging voices.

Here is a brief, somewhat NSFW clip Francisco joking about Mexican (norteño?) music:

Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, YouTube, Official websites of Pablo Francisco and Gabriel Iglesias

Today’s Video: Viva (Alex) Cuba!

This week’s look at upcoming free concerts in New York continues with a quick word on Alex Cuba.

The Cuban-Canadian artist has received several Juno Awards for his delightful blend of Latin jazz, rock, and funk. He will be performing at Madison Square Park on the 24th of this month though he will also be touring North America this summer.

Al Jazeera English highlighted Cuba last year; take a look as he explains his musical inspiration as a child:

• Wednesday – Curumin, Juana Molina, and El G
• Tuesday - Chicha Libre
• Monday - Los Amigos Invisibles and Aterciopelados
  

Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, YouTube, alexcuba.com

Today’s Video: A triple threat

We continue with our look at this summer’s free concerts in La Gran Manzana with a can't-miss gig in Central Park.

The tenth Latin Alternative Music Conference in July will bring numerous artists to New York and while some are more recognizable than others rest assured that the quality of the music is always superb.

Take the July 8th Central Park Summerstage concert as an example; Argentine songbird Juana Molina is relatively well-known having been covered by the likes of Spin and Rolling Stone. (Shameless plug: us too!) Curumin and El G are definitely not slouches and their music is excellent in their own forms. All in all, the ambient sounds of Molina, the Brazilian funk/rock of Curumin, and the varied combinations from Buenos Aires’ El G combine to form a buffet for the ears and mind.

All gushing aside, here’s "Vem menina" by Curumin:

• Tuesday - Chicha Libre
• Monday - Los Amigos Invisibles and Aterciopelados
  

Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, YouTube, Latin Alternative Music Conference, Central Park Summerstage, Spin

Today’s Video: It’s smooth. It’s refreshing. It’s Chicha Libre.

We continue our look this week at this summer’s free concerts in New York City with a great band that hails from Brooklyn: Chicha Libre.

Presumably named after the Peruvian fermented drink, Chicha Libre mixes several different styles from surf music to traditional Andean sounds. The group will be performing on August 22nd at Roosevelt Island (located in the East River between Queens and midtown Manhattan in case you’re a neophyte) so definitely go and check them out.

Here’s the music video for “Indian Summer”, a song that was on their ¡Sonido Amazonico! album released last year:

• Monday - Los Amigos Invisibles and Aterciopelados

Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Roosevelt Live, Wikipedia, YouTube

Today’s Video: Los Amigos Invisibles strike back

For the past two years, we’ve dedicated a pair of special entries to the myriad of extraordinary free summer concerts in New York City. Instead of doing a mega-post on the many great gigs over the next three months, we’re going to dedicate this week’s daily video series to pointing out some concerts that will definitely be worth it!

One of the gigs that we’re (or to be more accurate: me) looking forward to is a fantastic rock en Espãnol twin bill on July 10th. Personal favorites Los Amigos Invisibles and Aterciopelados will be up on stage in Prospect Park as part of the “Celebrate Brooklyn” series. The Venezuelan sextet is known for its funky, catchy music while the Colombian duo incorporates all sorts of sounds into their politically-charged tunes.

This Tuesday will see the release of the latest album by Los Amigos... entitled “Comercial”. One of the singles from that album is the very enjoyable and fun “Mentiras”:

Online Sources- YouTube, Celebrate Brooklyn, The Latin Americanist

Today’s Video: All that’s missing is Raul Velasco

We end our week with one final music video from Venezuelan funksters Los Amigos Invisibles.

My favorite song by the band just so happens to be the first one I heard from them: “Cuchi-Cuchi.” Yet the video I enjoy the most is for "Si Estuvieras Aqui". From the Day-glo polyester suits to the vintage shots of fawning girls in the audience, the boys appear in an ode to classic Latin American variety shows like Sábado Sensacional and Siempre en Domingo.

Have we mentioned that Los Amigos Invisibles will be in concert tonight?

• Monday - “Playa Azul”
• Tuesday - “Yo no sé”
• Wednesday - “Las Gorditas de Mario”
• Thursday - “Las Lyrcias del Avila” (Live on KCRW)
  

Online Sources- Bowery Ballroom, The Latin Americanist, YouTube, Wikipedia

Today’s Video: Tuning in to Los Amigos Invisibles

We’ve been making light of Los Amigos Invisibles all week long and promoting their concert Friday night in New York. Thus, why not show them performing live…sort of.

Below is the Venezuelan group’s groovy rendition of “Las lycras del avila” on KCRW:

• Monday - “Playa Azul”
• Tuesday - “Yo no sé”
• Wednesday - “Las Gorditas de Mario”
  

Online Sources- Bowery Ballroom, The Latin Americanist, YouTube

Today’s Video: Viva gorditas!

We continue this week’s video theme in honor of groovy Venezuelan band Los Amigos Invisibles with their tongue-in-cheek tribute to zoftig ladies: “Las Gorditas de Mario”.

(Note: Video possibly NSFW and/or if you’re a prude).

Once again, we remind you that Los Amigos Invisibles will be playing in concert in New York this Friday night.

• Monday - “Playa Azul”
• Tuesday - “Yo no sé”
  

Online Sources- Los Amigos Invisibles, Bowery Ballroom, The Latin Americanist, YouTube

Today’s Video: Funk a la Venezuela

On Monday we posted “Playa Azul” by Los Amigos Invisibles; thus, why not shine a spotlight this week on the funky Venezuelan band.

Today’s music video- “Yo no sé” (“I don’t know”)- is a single from the group’s 2008 album entitled “Super Pop Venezuela”.

Don’t forget that Los Amigos Invisibles will be playing at New York’s Bowery Ballroom this Friday night!

Online Sources- Los Amigos Invisibles, Bowery Ballroom, The Latin Americanist

Today’s Video: Cool and cooler (revisited)

Generally I hate to repeat videos that have been recently shown. But with sub-zero temperatures and nearly a foot of snow outside The Latin Americanist HQ I can think of no better music video than this one of Los Amigos Invisibles:

Speaking of Los Amigos Invisibles, the Venezuelan funksters will be playing at New York’s Bowery Ballroom this Friday night. If you can dig your way out of the snow then go see them live and on stage!

(Hat tip: Brooklyn Vegan).

Online Sources- Los Amigos Invisibles, Brooklyn Vegan, IHT, Bowery Ballroom, The Latin Americanist

Today's Video: Cool and cooler

With sub-freezing temperatures and a winter storm about to hit around The Latin Americanist headquarters, the below video from Los Amigos Invisibles is just about perfect:

Much like the opening lyrics of the song, I too would love to be at a "Playa Azul" ("Blue Beach") right now!

Online Sources- YouTube, weather.com

Today’s Video: Los Amigos Invisibles

We end the week with a funky, cool video from one of our favorite bands - Los Amigos Invisibles. The Venezuelan-based group will be in concert at New York’s Bowery Ballroom this Saturday night. If you can please go and check them out; you will not be disappointed!

(Video link):

Sources- YouTube, Bowery Ballroom, Los Amigos Invisibles

What to do – Music, television, film

* Music: In the New York City area and in the mood to listen to some exceptional music for free? Then head over to El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem where Venezuela’s Los Amigos Invisibles (image) will be playing their infectious mix of funk, electronic, and Latin tunes.

* Television: In the mood to stay home tonight? Check out the Travel Channel at 7 pm where chef/author Anthony Bourdain journeys to the U.S.-Mexico border area on “No Reservations”. Watch as Bourdain gives his two cents on the immigrant debate, looks to satisfy his “prescription” medicine in Tijuana and enjoys an authentic Mexican meal in Monterrey.

* Film: “Illegal Tender” with its mostly Latino cast opens tomorrow, but if you’re in SoCal try instead going to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to enjoy a free weekend festival of classic Latin American films. “Memories of Underdevelopment” (Cuba), “Rosaura at Ten O’clock” (Argentina), and “The Place Without Limits” (Mexico) are some of the top-notch movies that will be shown.

Do you have any suggestions? Leave them in the comments section to this post.

Sources- NYRemezcla.com, Travel Channel, Rotten Tomatoes, LAist

Image- Rocksonico.com