Movies

The De Los SXSW showcase drove home Latino community values

BBG News

At South by Southwest, you’ll discover rising stars in music, cutting-edge technology, and future Oscar-winning films. However, during the 2025 De Los showcase, the most significant insight gained was the importance of community.

On Tuesday evening, Austin, Texas’ Mala Fama rooftop transformed into a lively center for live Latin music performances. Six distinct acts graced the stage, each offering their unique take on the genre. From Arsenal Efectivo, pioneers of trap corrido, to Conjunto Rienda Real’s distinctive norteño saxophone melodies, every performer honored their nearest companions and professional associates – several of whom were asked to join them on stage.

The performance at the event began energetically with DJ Bolo, known for his “El Techno” beats. Based in San Diego, he used his 30-minute slot to highlight the links between modern reggaeton and electronic music. He expressed his enthusiasm not only due to performing alongside his friend and partner in music creation, Edgar Alejandro (a retro revivalist), but also because they are staying together at an Airbnb for this event.

Bolo expressed, “Having him here elevates the entire event by tenfold. Sharing this debut festival experience and performing together is an absolute joy.” He continued, “This is what it’s all about – working together and fostering connections – that keeps my passion for music burning bright.

To begin his performance, the creator of the TikTok sensation “A Tu Lado,” Alejandro, played a peaceful set with his acoustic guitar accompanied by a trumpet player. He concluded his segment of soft romantic ballads, and then Bolo came onstage to perform a fresh dance track they had been developing together. This new piece incorporated distorted vocal effects and powerful beat drops, showcasing the distinctive sounds and talents of both musicians.

In some settings, I’ve encountered individuals who are quite rigid in their thinking, making it tough to express oneself freely. However, with friends like Bolo, there’s always a good time had by all. It certainly helps us produce more authentic work, Alejandro remarked, feeling both grateful and slightly intoxicated after completing his performance.

In Austin, the duo expressed their intention to use their leisure time composing fresh tunes together. Bolo mentioned that Alejandro writes songs at an incredible pace, implying they might complete an entire EP as early as Friday.

After the surprise burst of energy from the EDM collaboration, the following act, Midnight Navy, charmed the audience with his unique appeal. Wearing angled shades and a trench coat, this versatile musician switched among playing guitar, keyboard, and saxophone while singing. His performance was a blend of indie dream pop infused with touches of old-school rock and Chicano soul, expressed in both languages. He captivated the crowd not only with his original songs like “Corazon” and “Crema,” but also by playing popular hits such as Fito Olivares’ “Cumbia de La Cobra” and Malo’s “Suavecito.

After the harmonious blend of instruments in Midnight Navy, Los Sultanes del Yonke continued with an unconventional yet groovy act, exuding a lively eccentricity. Their unique take on cumbia punk sparked a mosh pit, and they would occasionally sing in what they referred to as a made-up language. The group always found ways to amuse each other during their performances.

Hailing from the border cities of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, these five musicians had intersected before. Some are kin, others are romantic partners or have been companions since their high school days. However, they assert that since formally uniting as Sultanes del Yonke, their bond has evolved into a familial connection stronger than ever.

In his own words, Toño Ramos, a member of our band, shared, “We’ve never poured this much effort into any creation before, and it’s even more special since we’re doing it together. I wouldn’t dream of working with anyone else because what we share is something unique.” Translated further, he means, “There may be better musicians out there, but none feel as right to me as my bandmates do.

Francisco “Shrek” Rodriguez, the lead singer of Arsenal Efectivo, emphasized every song with the phrase “trap corridos”. This trio is recognized as pioneers in blending narco balladry and hip-hop influences, a style that resonates in the music of popular Mexican artists like Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano. With a sleek ponytail and a heavy diamond necklace, Rodriguez aimed to make another groundbreaking move in the corrido world: Before launching their 2024 release “Eternamente”, he declared it as the first corrido to incorporate an Akai MPC synthesizer. Additionally, Rodriguez invited his friend, Distinto, a San Antonio-based artist, to collaborate with the band on two emotional songs.

As the evening drew to a close, the musicians from Conjunto Rienda Real made their way onto the stage, all resplendent in glittering jackets and traditional Tejano hats. This talented norteño saxophone group, comprising a sax, accordion, and baja sexto, captivated the audience with their blend of deep emotion and infectious energy to conclude the showcase. It took just one song for the crowd, initially stationary, to start dancing in all directions – couples twirled, onlookers were invited onto the dance floor, and the air was thick with camaraderie.

Read More

2025-03-12 22:01

Previous post Why did Daniel Blumberg leave the band Yuck?
Next post First Stand 2025 viewership rises despite T1’s absence