Anthony Macias

Friend o’ the site (and drummer for [.DESCARGA.]) Anthony Macias will be one of several performers at this year’s FMEL (Latin Electronic Music Festival). We caught up Anthony to talk about the band and Friday’s performance at Abbey Pub (9pm, 21+, $10).

 You’ve been with the band for a few months now and seem to have settled in. How’s it going? Are you having fun?

 I am having a lot of fun and really am enjoying my time with the band. We have a great practice spot and have been keeping busy with practice and shows.

Tell me a little about the MN show with Zoe

 I have to say I had a great time hanging with my guys.

 How did the upcoming collaboration with Kampion happen? Did you two know each other prior to FMEL?

 I have never meet Kampion and still haven’t met him in person but we have exchanged emails and tracks so I think this is going to be fun. I have not really played in a setting like this before so I am excited. He seems like a really cool guy.

 As a DJ yourself, are you approaching this collaboration from the viewpoint of a DJ, a drummer or a little of both?

 I am coming at this from both sides. I always consider myself a Drummer who enjoys the art of DJ’ing. As a DJ I tend to play for myself and focus on the blend and [I] like to remix on the fly; but as a drummer I like to open up and experiment in the context of each song. Lets see were this night takes us.

What can we expect to see/hear on Friday at Abbey Pub when you take the stage?

 I will be playing my acoustic drums and am going to…find my spots to add my signature. I just want to hit the stage, close my eyes and explode. I really need to release so [I] don’t plan on holding back.

For a complete list of all FMEL events click HERE.

DESCARGA.

Holy shit.

That is all I kept thinking when listening to [.DESCARGA.]‘s new EP The Things We Do (due August 9, 2011).  From the perspective of an outsider, it seemed as if the band spent the last year or so in a state of transition.  There were a couple of line up changes with the most notable being the addition of drummer Anthony Macias.  He has been the game changer for these veterans of the latin alternative community.  The Things We Do kicks off with The Funeral with Hex sounding like Eddie Vedder before he sold his soul for a ukulele.  The driving force of this song is Evil’s piercing guitar but for me it’s the pulsating floor toms and give the song a sobering weight.  Keeping true to form, the album is exactly half in English and half in Spanish with the song Tu Eres Yo (You Are Me) beginning that smooth transition between languages.  Esperando (Waiting) effectively uses a fuzzy guitar sound to give the song a sense of urgency and Nube Negra (Black Cloud) is the second song sung in Spanish that hits fast and hard.

[.DESCARGA.] is a band that has always paid tribute to those artists who have influenced them and this is never more clearly expressed than in the song Party Girl which invokes the ghost of Ian Curtis with haunting vocals repeating “Wake up party girl ’cause it’s time to go”.  If a drummer is the backbone of a band then the bass player is the stuff in between filling in the sound and keeping steady – this is best on display during Party Girl – big ups to J. Calvo.  The third and final Spanish song to appear on the EP is Dejame Saber (Let Me Know) with its grungy guitar and stinging lyrics, “yo no lo voy hacer pero lo intento / yo nunca lo voy hacer pero quisiera saber / como ser humano como tu” (google that ish) keeps the bat out of hell energy of this EP up.  Closing things out is the previously wormed Chemtrails, a rattlesnake of a song.

[.DESCARGA.] is currently boasting its most solid line up to date with Evil’s confident and powerful guitar to Calvo’s bass, so steady and strong.  Hex has never sounded more inspired lyrically and bringing it all together is Macias behind the drum kit.  They’ve got a confidence that comes from being comfortable around each other on and off stage; this is band that is firing on all cylinders.

You can preview the tracks Funeral and Dejame Saber below.

On a personal note, this post has been a work in progress since late last year not long after the release of the single, Chemtrails.  My plan had been to start writing and then fill in the blanks once new music was released.  I even spent some time with the boys at their rehearsal space where the conversation took some interesting turns.  (All I can say is life on the road with a van full of boys is never dull.)  The band had just added Macias at drums and not long after our meeting the band lost a member.  There was a strong sense of wanting to move forward, to start the dirty work that is writing, rehearsing and recording.  This EP is very much the product of a band that in a sense had to start over, had to rededicate themselves to their craft and had to work and give these songs time to “cook”.  To all four members of [.DESCARGA.] I say: you fuckers were worth the wait.  Now don’t make me wait another 8-9 months for the next one.

Some amateur and Jose Calvo

Tonight I humbly suggest you stop by the Canale Art Lounge and view the works of my friend, Jose Calvo.  A few years ago I rededicated my life to all things music and in that time I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some talented and inspiring people.

Jose is one such person.  He is my friend and hands down one of the best rock photographers in the business  (and he plays bass in a local latin alternative mainstay – but we’ll talk about that in a bit).

Jose inspired me to pick up a camera and begin experimenting again with a passion and hobby that had lain dormant for too long.  His photos excite me and are an unspoken challenge to push myself to be better and to always keep my eyes open.

His skill at composition was on display at last month’s Erotic Photography Show where his nudes with model Rosa Frausto were perfect examples of how a trained eye can turn the curve of a body with thoughtful lighting into a work of subtle and beautiful art that is never vulgar or pedictable.  His photographs documenting latin alternative concerts emit such raw energy it is not hard to imagine yourself standing amongst the crowd with the beat of the music pulsating through the room.  You can check out a huge collection of his work at Enchufate.com.

But there’s more! He’s also a member of my favorite band [.DESCARGA.].  See what I mean? – Talented and multi-faceted.

So tonight…from 6pm – 11:30pm, Canale Art Lounge (500 West 18th Street) will host the Concert Photography and Drawing Show.  Mr. Calvo will be pulling double duty as he will show his works and play a set with [.DESCARGA.] and the band will debut the official video for their single ChemTrails.

My favorite music controllers DJ Tony Macias and DJ Angelf*k will be there to keep you dancing as you explore the works of some of Chicago’s most talented artists.

Tonight’s event will also feature works by:

Julieta Alvarez
Ivan Arce
Jacinto Ariza
Rory O’Connor
Daniel Rangel
Edward Spinelli

and Introducing:
Ana Alvarez
Marissa Macias

I’ve come to know Tony Macias as a badass drummer for local bands, Mr. Gray and [.DESCARGA.].  I’ve missed his EchoNine shows because I’m a dumbass and wasn’t aware until very recently that he was a DJ.  This morning I moseyed on over to his SoundCloud page after seeing him post this song and now I’m obsessed.  Check out the other tracks he’s posted and there are rumblings that more are to follow.  If so, PLEASE keep them coming Tony!

9.   Zuzuka Poderosa – “Chama O Bombeiro” (Single)
This reminded me of The Fire & Reason with a bit more “umph” because there’s not the added dance/electro music blended in (although I still love my TFaR). It’s juicy raw. Zuzuka is sexy and even though I have no idea what she’s rapping about, she makes me want to learn Portuguese.

8.   Moona Luna – “Brinca, Jump” (Single)
Finally some lat/alt music for kids. Yay!

7.   La Barranca – “Piedad Ciudad” (Album)
Classic Barranca. Enough said.

Official site: http://www.labarranca.com.mx/

6.   Pastilla – “Siento Lo Que Soy” (Single)
Beatlesque inspired rock en tu idioma.
Check out Pastilla on Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/Pastilla

5.   SHU-SHO – “06105: The Lost Remixes” (Digital Album)
Bad-@ss funky grooves! Word!

You can download the digital album FREE at: http://shu-sho.bandcamp.com/album/shu-sho-shot-june-2010-06105-the-lost-remixes

4.   [.DESCARGA.] – “Weakness” (Single)
Good ol’ rock’n'roll, Chicago alternative style.

Check out [.DESCARGA.] on ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/descarga

3.   Matorralman – “Guateque Estelar” (Album)
This is my favorite kind of music. Ever. Watch the videos. I love you, Matorralman. Marry me?

YouTube Channel (FYI – Some of them are a little NSFW): http://www.youtube.com/user/matorralman

TIE:
1. & 2.
Mexican Institute of Sound – Suave Patria (Digital Album)

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/suave-patria-ep/id393341314

Image:

Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich & Fussible “I Count The Ways” (Single)

Although I can’t vouch for a live performance by M.I.S., (and I feel horrible that I can’t but it just doesn’t work live for him…yet. Hope springs eternal!) I will jump in front of a train for anything he records in studio. I was anxiously waiting for something from him this year and finally this EP came out and it will be on vinyl, too. How glorious is that? Indeed! Buy it. Now!
I will vouch for a live performance by Bostich & Fussible because they pretty much replicate what they do in studio with a live band. It’s sassy, sexy and oh so danceable. This song in particular caught me off guard and that’s why I fell in love with it almost immediately. I wasn’t expecting such a luscious female voice surrounded by the disco-influenced orchestral sound, spiced with a bare minimum of NCP’s signature Norteño horns and accordion. It’s sweet and uplifting. It makes me want to get on a bike (or skateboard) and glide down freesia-perfumed hills with the wind blowing in my hair, as the music lifts me up like Mary Poppins, to nirvana. Sigh.

Sandra A. Trevino is a writer. When she’s not chasing ink to paper she manages local Chicago mainstay [.DESCARGA.].  She is also a founder of Enchufate.com (Chicago’s Latin Alternative media source) and contributes to several online and print publications.  You can hear her weekly updates on all things happening in art, music and beyond on 89.5FM or stream it at Vocalo.org every Wednesday at 7.30pm (CST).  She has been featured as a guest curator for Proyecto Latina and can make a mean empanada.

The song CHEMTRAILS is a quick look at a topic we should all be paying more attention to as citizens of Earth. The very sky we live under is being changed (in our lifetime) literally right ABOVE our noses. Written more to “ask questions” than to “provide answers”, CHEMTRAILS the song may for many be the beginning of their own personal investigation on the topic. Do searches, find videos, get informed. What do you think about CHEMTRAILS?

I’m digging the girtty guitar hook in this song and am glad to see [.DESCARGA.] enter darker rock territory.  Check out the song below.  I’ve been told we can expect to hear new music from the boys later this year and have been experimenting with their sound and are even writing lyrics in English.  If this is any indication of where things are headed then I cannot wait to hear what’s next!

I’m getting ready to head out the door and induce a music coma at North Coast Festival but before I do let’s talk about some of the fun stuff going on around town this long weekend:

First up is Brighton Park Fest. Starting tomorrow you can head out to Archer Ave (between Sacramento & Kedzie) for food, rides and 2 stages of live music featuring local acts: [.DESCARGA.] (my favorite latin alternative band), Maladicto, Legion, Soul Pollution, Maria Blues Trio, the lovely La Gitana, Malafacha and DJs Angelfuk and Nando to name just a few.  Descarga’s very own Jose Calvo says, “people should come out and enjoy this festival because it’s something special for the community, there are few festivals like this in the city that celebrate latino unity, but the number of them is growin! So come out and enjoy the food, the rides, the arts, and the music, which will be awesome because the line ups are made up of talented local latino bands. I am very honored to be part of this great festival.”

Also, don’t forget that last weekend’s featured girl crush, Rita J will be at Schuba’s Saturday night with Bumpus.

Jazz Fest returns to Grant Park and the always awesome Chuchito Valdez goes on Saturday at 5.

Lastly, the inaugural run of Joyous Outdoor Event (J.O.E.) kicks off at South Belmont Harbor this weekend featuring a main stage ‘curated’ by the Metro and Smart Bar and will include hometown rocks The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir Saturday at 7p.  A $15 ticket gets you all day general admission, for $25 you get all day access plus entrance to that evening’s main stage.  You can get the full schedule and more info HERE.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend! Check back for North Coast recaps, follow me on Twitter for live updates and check out the Facebook page for more photos and video.

I’ve been dying to see [.DESCARGA.] live for some time.  Knowing a couple of the band members from E>N>E I was curious to see what they’re like live and what they sound like.  Despite the fact I arrived a little late and missed their first song, [.DESCARGA.] fucking rocked it last night which is too bad because I was ready to go and heckle a bitch. I had to just hang out and enjoy the music. They put their foot up in it at Tiger O’Stylies.  How good were they? I bought merch. I never buy merch unless I’m ready to worship at the band’s feet so there you go. Next show is June 4 at Zocalo.

Busy weekend and lots of shows worth checking out, I’m plugging a couple:

Tonight our friends Skamorfosis and Malafacha along with Felipe Galvan, Jah Cantors and LVDP will be at Q4 starting at 8PM. Rumor is the first 20 people get free beer. Rumor is but you know where there’s smoke…

Tomorrow you can hang out with me at the E>N>E Chicago Rocks taping at Tiger O’Stylies in Berwyn and that gets going from 6-8PM.