Locos Por Juana release new album Somos De La Calle (We're from the streets)
Posted by: Loren Medina Posted: 09-25-2012
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Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated band Locos Por Juana, release their fifth studio album titled 'Somos De La Calle' (We're from the streets) today. The album was released through their own label, La Juana Music, and is now available on all digital stores.
After releasing hit singles, "Afro-Sound" feat. Palenke Soultribe and "Revolution Ska (La Música)", the renown 'masters of mash-up of Latin-Reggae-Hip-Hop' are ready to introduce their new, an innovative fusion of rhythms with a blend of potent lyrics. Locos Por Juana is confident 'Somos De La Calle' (We Are From The Streets) will amaze their existing fans and attract new fans due to the power and honesty found in their music. The album is as dynamic as catching one of their live shows.
Last Friday, their latest single "Revolution Ska (La Música)" was premiered exclusively on VEVO and in just three days it got over 100,000 views, making it one of the strongest debuts for an independent artist in Latin music industry in months.
'Somos De La Calle' (We Are From The Streets) includes a total of 12 songs and four collaborations. It was written and produced by the three main members of the band (Itagüí, Mark Kondrat and Javier Delgado), and also includes a few other guest vocalists and musicians who participated in the album.
"The process of creating the music and lyrics has been a very interesting one. The inspirations behind most of the themes on the album were born while we were on tour. We've been playing a lot in the last two years and we've gotten inspired by each of those trips where we met different audiences and sounds that simply motivated us to create. Once we got back to Miami, we got back in the studio. The creative process has been a very organic and natural one," claims Itagui, vocalist and the band member responsible for writing much of the lyrics.
The collaborations on 'Somos De La Calle' (We Are From The Streets) emerged as a necessity to combine true talent; they either came about very casually or because of an old friendship.
This is the case for the first single, "Afro-Sound", that was released last summer. It was an original song from the previous album, 'Evolución' (Evolution) which began as a remix and later evolved into an exchange of ideas with the group Soultribe Palenke of Los Angeles.
With the Colombian 2010 Latin Grammy winners Choc Quib Town, they were able to finish the song "Se Fue La Luz" (Lights Went Out) in Miami. It took several sessions to complete after the groups met five years ago during Locos Por Juana's visit to Colombia. The theme is the perfect fusion of the sounds from the Atlantic and the Pacific, Chandé from Barranquilla in the Atlantic and sounds from Chocó on the Pacific.
The band met Rocky Dawuni a couple of years ago during a concert in Los Angeles and from the onset there was a mutual admiration. The rebellious nature of the African artist together with Itagui's revolutionary lyrics brought forth the creating of the song "Champeta Rebel" (La Policía). It was a collaboration of defiant lyrics in English and Spanish fused with African rhythms and champeta, a perfect integration between the two genres, which is a typical characteristic of Locos Por Juana's sound.
The last collaboration, "Somos De La Calle" (We Are From The Streets), bears the same name of the album. It is an encounter with local musicians from Miami, the band's hometown. Artofficial and Conjunto Progresso are the two groups featured on the song, both with a very Cuban sound that represent the music and culture of the island which has had profound impact on Locos Por Juana who have been residents of Miami from a young age.
To complement the album, "La Trampa" (The Trap), a track infused with bossa nova rhythms, Reggae and cumbia, promotes being clever and sharp, two characteristics of anyone that has had enough experiences on the street.
Guitarist Mark Kondrat affirms that the song "Dame Una Noche" (Give Me One Night), is "a happy danceable track with a sound that's very Locos Por Juana, with cheerful and fun lyrics that narrate an interesting story, one that many may see as our typical style."
"Llego el Loco" (Saoco) [The Crazy One Arrived] was born as a tribute to Puerto Rico, where Saoco is synonymous with flavor. It is a track with urban elements with a Puerto Rican sounds and typical wind instruments native to Colombian cumbia.
"Miami Rockers" is a tribute to Miami, home to the members of Locos por Juana, where they emerged in the underground scene over 10 years ago. Today their music is considered an integral party of the city's music scene. The mixture of sounds and cultures of Miami has been instrumental in the exploration and creation of the band's sound.
"We Do It Again" emerged as a song for the fans that identify the band but do not speak Spanish. These are the fans who come out to see them in festivals all over the United States and Canada, where Locos Por Juana have been invited to represent the world music movement.
"La Maquina" (The Machine) is a reflection of the presence of technology in our daily lives. Without diminishing its importance, this song invites us to think of leading a more natural and organic life. The lyrics and guitar chords are simple and incorporate Reggae rhythms.
Lastly, "Levántate" (Get Up) y "Revolution Ska (La Música)" are songs with a very direct and positive message, that encompass the revolutionary style of the band's lyrics.
"Our biggest challenge on this record was to capture the energy that we always project on stage on the album. Each of our shows is an explosion of energy and the goal was to bring all this into the studio. We are confident that we accomplished this and that the album reflects our maturity as a band, friends, and musicians. Those who hear this record will be transported to one of our live shows and we just hope to see our fans in the next show", pointed out drummer Javier Delgado.
Tracklist:
- La Trampa
- Rebel Champeta feat. Rocky Dawuni
- Se Fue La Luz feat. Choc Quib Town
- Llego el Loco (Saoco)
- Dame Una Noche
- Somos De La Calle feat. Artofficial & Conjunto Progresso
- Miami Rockers!!
- We Do It Again
- Las Maquinas
- Levántate
- Revolution Ska (La Música)
- Afro-Sound feat. Palenke Soul tribe
About Locos Por Juana
Locos Por Juana, nominated for a Grammy and Latin Grammy, has established itself as one of the most recognized bilingual bands due to their explosive mixture of rhythms from rock to Reggae, Funk, Hip-Hop, electronic and Cumbia. The band has captivated diverse audiences extending from coast to coast in the U.S. and across Europe. Their originality has paved the way in becoming a highly sought after act, regularly invited to participate in music festivals of all types of genres. This, combined with their powerful stage presence, has led to Locos Por Juana to acquire a solid and growing fan base, whom continues to get captivated by their dynamic state presence and unique sound.
Currently the band is comprised of Itagüí Correa (vocals), Mark Kondrat (guitar), and Javier Delgado (drums). Also accompanying the group is Lasim Richards (trombone) and Carlos Palmet (percussion). Palenke Soultribe is an electronic band that fuses Afro-Colombian sounds. The band is comprised of Andres "Popa" Erazo (keyboards / producer) and Juan Diego Borda (producer / bass) and is based out of Los Angeles.
To date, Locos Por Juana has released four studio albums since their formation in 2002 in Miami (Florida): Locos Por Juana (2002), Música Pa'l Pueblo (2005), La Verdad (2008) and Evolución (2010). In 2008 they were nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album and in 2005 for a Latin Grammy for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album.
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