At Subsuelo Sundays, DJs bring the heat with Latin beats to this summer-only dance party in DTLA

As a lifelong music enthusiast, I find myself deeply moved by the story of Subsuelo and their impact on the Los Angeles nightlife scene. Having attended my fair share of parties over the years, I can attest to the unique atmosphere that Subsuelo Sundays create – an immersive experience where trust, education, and joy are at the forefront.

Despite appearing on significant stages like Coachella, Lightning in a Bottle, and Red Bull’s Soundclash, Subsuelo feels most comfortable performing on the compact, open-air patio of Caña Rum Bar in downtown Los Angeles, which is remarkably small but always bustling.

As a devoted movie buff of world music rhythms, for the past seven years, I’ve been grooving nonstop every summer Sunday with the Subsuelo Sundays crew – a globally respected collective that transforms their venue into an all-day dance floor. The tunes range from spontaneous cumbia beats to reggaeton and amapiano revisions, blended with hip-hop turntablism, edits of classic Mexican party tracks played live, and everything in between.

According to Subsuelo co-founder DJ Canyon Cody, our approach has always been about experimentation and growth. One moment you might hear samba, the next dancehall. Performing at Caña allowed us to return to what we excel at – blending a variety of elements and delivering unexpected treats.

Primarily, it’s extremely lively and vibrant. Folks are packed together, perspiring, and clearly having a blast as they groove to new and familiar beats. This atmosphere is what attracts a neighborhood hospitality worker known as “La Vecinita” to the party during her breaks – if you look up at the right moment, you might even spot her dancing on an upper walkway – and it’s also why Esme Reyna chose Subsuelo Sundays for her wedding reception in 2022.

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Reyna mentions, “I’ve been dancing and celebrating with this group for more than ten years. On a sudden impulse, my partner and I decided to tie the knot. We opted for a small ceremony and celebration on a Saturday, followed by a big party with our local friends on Sunday. So we thought, why create something new? It made more sense to join where many of our friends will already be or want to be. That’s how Subsuelo Sunday came about.”

In 2024, Subsuelo decided to switch from a weekly event to a monthly one, creating space for other exciting activities such as a new monthly pool party at the Godfrey Hotel in Hollywood and an upcoming tour. As an admirer, I’m looking forward to their salsa-focused party on Aug 11, which will be graced by Hong Kong-based DJ Gia Fu and L.A.-by-way-of-Venezuela DJ/shop owner El Marchante. The final Subsuelo Sunday of the season is set for Sept 1, promising an extended 11-hour event featuring Pedro Night from Washington D.C.’s Adobo party.

Independent of where it’s told, Subsuelo’s tale vividly illustrates the spirit of Los Angeles, a blend of diverse influences that evolve and remain remarkably unique and captivating. Unwaveringly committed to their art, Subsuelo have managed an exceptional feat in the nightlife scene – enduring longevity.

Originating from the minds of former roommates Cody and photographer Farah Sosa, Subsuelo was initially a collection of late-night house gatherings. This eventually evolved and found a permanent residence at Boyle Heights’ Eastside Luv in 2011. The well-liked monthly event welcomed guests such as Mexican Institute of Sound, Toy Selectah, and Dam-Funk.

Whenever the number of individuals queuing outside exceeded those within the venue, as Cody observed, Subsuelo began to explore hosting parties at The Virgil and Los Globos. Eventually, they found a place that felt like their spiritual home at Caña.

“Sosa mentions that over the years, our chosen venues offer a sense of closeness and safety, enabling everyone to let loose, dance freely, and feel at ease without any reservations,” says Sosa, who often navigates between the crowd and staff on Subsuelo Sundays, immersing himself in the event’s vibrant energy.

Caña’s patio offers enough space for the audience to get up close and personal with top-tier performers, many of whom are also innovating their own acts.

Cody muses, “Even the most accomplished artists I’ve observed have been performing for such an extended period that it’s becoming rarer to find those pre-performance butterflies. Yet, I notice they get thrilled and slightly anxious, in a positive sense, about appearing at Subsuelo and attempting something that deviates from their usual performance routine.”

In their early days, Subsuelo often shared the stage with several music legends they admired. However, on most recent Sundays, the guests are active musicians who tour with renowned acts such as Cafe Tacvba and Gloria Trevi. Despite this, they may not have had a solo spotlight yet. Many of these collaborations come about because Sosa is always out and about in town, capturing everything from performances at prestigious venues like the Hollywood Bowl to secret late-night gigs at underground spots.

“Sosa notes that they are stars in their own realms, yet when they arrive here, they perform and tap into an entirely new audience. At such moments, a remarkable fusion of talents occurs. Here, they have the opportunity to shine while incorporating our unique style or ‘flavor’ of the moment.”

Subsuelo’s taste encompasses a wide range of international dance beats, with a predominant focus on Latin styles. Cody defines global bass as a genre that blends retro-futuristic elements, merging sounds from the 70s to the 90s, such as traditional cumbias, dembow, and Brazilian baile funk, with modern hits. Artists like El Alfa (Dominican), Tokischa, Celso Piña (Mexican), and Los Tucanes de Tijuana share the stage; Cody and DJ Ethos frequently produce live remixes and edits of these artists on the spot.

As a film enthusiast putting this into my own words, I’d say: “This type of art is truly crafted for individuals like us, and I fear it may be a one-time thing.” In regards to Serato Stems, I must express that it significantly transformed the way Subsuelo blended tracks live. The thrill lies in the fact that we can conjure something so quickly, only for it to vanish just as swiftly.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that Subsuelo consistently fosters a unique sense of trust among its audience members. Performers seem to intuitively sense this and reciprocate, skillfully drawing out the crowd’s curiosity and engagement.

As someone who has guided many individuals through unfamiliar territories, I can wholeheartedly attest to the power of trust. When you entrust me with your journey, it’s like a promise that we’ll conquer new challenges together. In this particular case, I want to encourage you by assuring you that I’ve been there for you during the past hour, and I will continue to be here for you as we venture outside your comfort zone for approximately 15-20 minutes.

It’s true that some of Subsuelo’s followers may not be hardcore music enthusiasts seeking unique tracks and interaction with local artists – they simply enjoy a good time when they attend Subsuelo Sundays. For Sosa, these events often serve as a subtle learning experience.

“At our parties, there are many people we don’t know. For me, this is a crucial aspect because it allows us to introduce new sounds that excite us to strangers. In essence, it’s about sharing our preferred tunes, sources of joy, and enjoyable activities, including dancing, washing dishes, and everything in between,” says Sosa.

If you find yourself grooving at a Subsuelo Sunday bash this season, or perhaps just this month, brace yourself for an auditory transformation! As I, a fellow cinema enthusiast and self-proclaimed dancefloor instigator, put it with a chuckle, “I can’t resist stirring up a bit of mischief at any party.” So, expect the unexpected when you join us on the dance floor!

Currently, Subsuelo’s wider team is made up of approximately 10 individuals. Some are daily active participants, while others contribute sporadically according to the specific event or performance. The Subsuelo collective includes Cristina Lucio, a founding member, producer, and flamenco dancer, as well as percussionist Gerardo Morales and VJ/visual artist Julián Félix. Each team member assumes a unique role based on the scale and nature of the gathering.

Underground group Subsuelo expands its influence: This year, Cody took charge of KROQ’s “Alternalido” show, while Ethos represented the team at Coachella’s Sahara Tent. Additionally, they host a weekly club event called Caramelo and occasionally organize Latitude parties. The crew is also collaborating with local Ansonia Records to rework music from their archives for a forthcoming compilation album.

In essence, Subsuelo plays a significant role in enlightening the youth of Los Angeles. As expressed by Reyna, the bride who celebrated her wedding at Caña, “Their contributions to LA are truly valuable and worth preserving.” She highlights that their focus has always been on art and community, rather than solely profit and excess. Through Subsuelo, she discovered numerous DJs, genres of music, and various artists.

I’ve been fortunate to inspire others, both past visitors and the local community, to create their own events. Cody specifically mentions Cumbiaton, 2 DEEP, Late Night Laggers, and Foreigner, but I dream that Subsuelo could become a welcoming space for out-of-town groups with similar rhythmic energies, such as Texas’ Peligrosa and Que Bajo from New York.

In a bustling metropolis like Los Angeles, where the nightlife scene is highly competitive, there’s always space for everyone to thrive. As Cody points out, having talented peers can only serve to boost your own efforts. When I witness another party delivering something exceptional, it serves as a constant reminder for me to maintain my high standards.

For over a decade now, I’ve been a part of Subsuelo, and it continues to exhilarate every member in our group. “We find pleasure in what we do and strive to spread that joy,” I say. “Seeing people smile, dance, and explore is what fuels us.”

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2024-07-31 13:31