¡Aparato! Throws a Distinctly Edgy Twist Into the Latin Soundscape
If you have your ears clued into the sounds coming from Los Angeles, you may have tuned into ¡Aparato!, a band that is making some noise on the public radio circuit these days and has developed a loyal following despite the fact that their first full album of material is not yet expected until 2014.
"The meaning of the band's name -- ¡Aparato! -- or Machine! in English (taken from a Cafe Tacvba song), stands in stark contrast to what the group offers: a cry to feel things deeply, to let go of all terrestrial limitations, routines, and simply be held up by air," offers up the band's "bandcamp" Web page in an attempt to define their sound.
The band consists of guitarist Alexandro D. Hernandez Guitérrez, bassist Vaneza Calderon and vocalist/ guitarist Cat Mendez.
They describe themselves as "Post-punk(y), ethereal rrrock performed with traditional Mexican instruments and beat." They currently have seven tracks recorded with producer Eugene Toale, who has worked with artists such as Kanye West, Wu Tang Clan, and Beyoncé.
That comes with some validity as singer Mendez got her start in an all-female punk band, and Hernandez says that his earliest forays into music came from bands like Iron Maiden. Today they base their sound on the Son Jarocho of Mexican lore, but spice it up with a bright pop beat and the result is something new and innovative on the scene that they described to NPR's Audie Cornish as "Jarocho Rock."
And in keeping with that vibe, the trio sport the traditional Son Jarocho instruments from the musical style that originated in the Gulf Coast of Mexico, but push forward with their own personal directions into the modern music scene that they hope will culminate in a sound that will resonate with audiences well into the future.
They are currently expected to release their debut album on March 22.