Raquel Sofía-Agua Bendita (Feat. Pedro Capó)

Maku Soundsystem-Verano Alternativo

This band signifies the beautiful unification of difference and cultures through music. Their unique sound will draw you in and have you fall in love with the magic that is MAKU Soundsystem.

Maku Soundsystem

Liliana Conde (vocals, percussion)

Juan Ospina A.K.A Prodigio Arribetiao (vocals, bass)

Camilo Rodriguez (guitar, gaitas)

Robert Stringer (trombone)

Felipe Quiroz (synthesizers)

Moris Cañate (tambor alegre)

Andres Jimenez (drums)

Isaish Richardson Jr. (sax and Clarinet)

Bionica: What made you guys choose the name MAKU for the band?

MAKU Soundsystems: Our guitarist Camilo, picked the name, inspired by the Nukak Makú. They are a nomadic indigenous community from the Amazon.  Supposedly, we Westerners came into contact with them and their story made the front page in the New York Times, which he in his experience found very interesting and that's where the name stems from. The notion, the name, just stuck with him and it's the band's name now. Maku means people, it's the people from every day life, Soundsystem is the party or vehicle through which we celebrate. And so, it's a party for everyone. 

Bionica: You guys are a very large group and most of you are from Colombia. 

MAKU Soundystem: Yes.

Bionica: Where in Colombia? 

MAKU Soundsystem: Different parts. There are 4 of us from Bogota, 2 people are from Barranquilla, and 2 band members are from here, the US. Robert the trombone player is from Savannah, Georgia in the South and Isaiah is from here, the Bronx in New York. 

Bionica: Although you guys are from Colombia, the culture is somehow different depending where you are, be it on the coast in Barranquilla or Bogota. What's something that you have learned from each other? What do you like most about working together?

MAKU Soundsystem: First we have learned to work together <laughs>. To make music together and have better conversation, with music together. We've been together for almost 5 years and as Colombians from different regions, there has definitely been an interchange. There was a huge rock influence in my time as well as music from here and the music that our parents listened to in Bogota. The music from the coast has always been present in Bogota in different ways, be it the bus–buzeta or our parents who would always listened to it at home in parties. The coast also has all the tradition that is a great foundation for the music that we put together as Maku Soundsystem. Besides that, we are also from here, from New York and we are immigrants and have been here for a long time. As Felipe was saying, there are members that aren't from Colombia. One is from New York and the other is from Savannah, and so there is an organic exchange with the music that is here in the city. All of us musicians listen to different things and you will hear something different depending on who you ask. I believe that the band fills itself with so many truths because of this. You have these New York immigrants with these Colombians in the middle. 

Bionica: You guys also came out with a vinyl disc. 

MAKU Soundsystem: Yes

Bionica: A single right?

MAKU Soundsystem: The last one that was released was an EP, with 4 songs. Before that there was a whole album, Makumbala, with 9 tracks and prior to that was our first CD, Vamos Bien. There will be a new album, Nation of Immigrants, which will be coming out at the end of the year. We were able to record 2 new songs at the Studio of LongBoard in Hamburg, Germany. The songs will be released under the label Peace & Rhythm which is from Massachusetts. It's all DJ, party…with love and substance. 

Bionica: Why didn't you release the songs in a digital format? Why vinyl?

MAKU Soundsystem: There are people in the band that really enjoy vinyls, we collect them. It's an analog sound, a physical process, which is nice. The final product is tangible. It's an alternative way to make music. Everything is so easy today, anyone can make an MP3, a CD, or even a vinyl disc, but the actual vinyl making process is special. We really value the analog sound and enjoy albums from the late 70s, early 80s. I personally collect them. It's romantic, and at the same time we feel more passionate making a vinyl disc than a CD. We're not saying that CDs are bad, they're great, but we as a band have a special appreciation for vinyl making. I think that Felipe makes a great point, it's about having something tangible, you can basically feel the process. There has to be something to remind us that we're here <laughs>. Something to tell us that the song finished and we have to get up and turn the disc over. Of course. It's a call for us to hold on to certain  things–not everything can be replaced. It's the physicality of an object which is what happens with the band as well. You can millions of MP3s and listen to them anywhere, which is fine, but there is a certain beauty in getting up to reach for the record and placing the needle on it and playing it. You can hear the sound waves with out putting the needle on it, you can change the tempo. It's like you can almost touch the music and we love it. At the same time, we're not leaving behind the digital world. It's just that you get a CD, someone opens it, pops it into the computer and it becomes an MP3 and that's it. Computers now a days don't even bring a CD drive. It's about going slowing down a little and enjoying things. As human beings, there is something very valuable in having an actual process for something and carrying it out from beginning to end. To feel that, to touch that, is important because you feel that you are able. 

Bionica: To know that we are alive.

Maku Soundsystem: Exactly! Imagine, the last three albums have been recorded on a tape without a computer. We were all basically in one room playing live in an analog form the way that you would record before. It doesn't matter if there's a mistake, you can do it over until it all comes out right. It's not about being perfect. Mistakes are part of everyone's reality. The band gains more energy playing live. Exactly! Which is what's important, it's what needs to be captured. 

Bionica: I had an art teacher, also from Bogota, that would tell me 'don't erase–work with your mistakes.' You have to work with them. 

Maku Soundystem: Of course.

Bionica: It's the reality of life, because you can't go back and delete to start over. 

Maku Soundsystem: Working with tapes is a very interesting process because you have a certain time limit. If you have a 15 minute time frame for side A, you either use what you just recorded, if not you have do it again. When you limit your options in certain things, you force yourself to work harder and make better things. 

Bionica: Can you give me an interesting fact about Maku?

Maku Soundsystem: More than an interesting fact, I think it's more of an important testimonial. We just got back from our tour in Germany and Denmark and I've lived here in the US for 13 years. I came here with a tourist visa when I was 14 and went to high school and college here. I was undocumented for quite some time and I have DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an executive action order issued Obama about 3 years ago. It basically pardons you from being deported and gives a you the opportunity to have a work permit. You don't have a resident status & are not able to leave the country unless you have special permission and I was able to receive that special permit as a musician via DACA to go abroad. We were able to break down certain walls via music! 

Bionica: Thank you so much!

Facebook 

Twitter 

YouTube 

Instagram 

Band Camp 

The Brand Phoenix

Too White To Be Mexican: Some Love feat. Diana García

Hawaii - Pablo Ruiz

Porque aun es jueves clásico ;)

Because it is still throw back thursday ;)

HENY PURO LA MANZANA

Jencarlos Canela - Tu Sombra ft. J. Balvin

Tropical Family - Obsesion par Kenza Farah et Lucenzo

Johny-O Tu Caballero

Saad LamJarred Mal Hbibi Malo

Fercho - HOY ( Prod.By Gustavito )

Entrevista con Katherine Alexander

Ella es Katherine Alexander–la diosa Cubana-Griega que nos brinda una música salpicada de lo mejor que puede haber entre una unión de las culturas latina & mediterránea. Sus temas son para divertirse y explorar lo lindo de la vida como en su mas reciente sencillo Vida Carnaval!!!

Katherine Alexander: Gracias. Bueno, mi manera de vestir depende de como me siento. Si estoy de enojos, triste o si me siento un poco mas femenina y algo divertida incorporo colores como el rosado y tal. Pero siempre voy con un look gitano–tengo algo de gitano en mi entonces me encanta todo lo que tenga que ver con el mediterráneo. Es algo que llevo en la sangre y cultura. Amo ese aspecto exótico al vestir.  Todo lo que es sensual, adorna el cuerpo de la mujer y la hace sentir femenina y apoderada es lo que me gusta. 

Bionica: Eso me gusta. Buenos consejos para esas chicas que desean ser sexy como Katherine. 

Tienes un pelo hermoso!!!! ¿Nos das algunos consejos?

Katherine Alexander: No lo peines.

Bionica: Se ve muy bien!!!

Katherine Alexander: Lo llamo "sex hair" (despeine amoroso) No lo peines y luego de lavarlo deja que haga lo que quiera. Sé alocada, sexy & libre!!!

Bionica: Me encanta!! Ahora cuenta nos un poco sobre tu música por que eres súper talentosa ya que cantas pop y hasta opera. 

Katherine Alexander: He estado cantando desde los 4 años y en el escenario desde los 4 o 5 años. Mi mamá era pianista–ya no toca...Pero crecí con algo de música clásica, opera, música de España, México y rock. Me encanta el rock!! Tengo todos estos géneros en mí y en mi cabeza y me gusta mostrar los través de mi música. Hice mi bachiller en opera, entonces tengo cierto conocimiento de tal y lo he incorporado en mi nuevo sencillo "Vida Carnaval". Tiene opera, portugués, español e ingles & en "Put it in a Kiss" hay un poco de esa mujer que domina–la femme fatale. Es algo que me encanta por que apodera la mujer. 

Bionica: Que consejos le das a esas personas que desean seguir una carrera como cantante? 

Katherine Alexander: Les aconsejo que sigan adelante con muchas fuerzas y a la máxima capacidad. Vivan sus sueños. Siempre tienen que pensar «Si no lo hago hoy ¿cómo me voy a sentir mañana?» Siempre pensar hace al futuro. «Si no lo hago hoy ¿cómo me sentiré en una semana? Si no cumplo esta meta ¿cómo me sentiré en un mes? ¿Dónde estaré? ¿Cómo estará mi vida?» Hay que llevar la meta en mente y nunca perderla de vista. Mantén la meta presente siempre. Levantarse con ella, pensar en ella, dar le luz hace al universo y a esas energías. De alguna manera, tienes que tener hambre y ambición. 

Esto es destino y a la vez estar preparado. "La suerte es cuando la preparación de uno se enfrenta a la oportunidad" Mi buen amigo y manager me dijo eso y nunca se me olvida. 

Vive tu sueño, lo que sea que este dentro de ti y a tus  instintos–siguelos siempre! Se fiel a ti mismo. 

Bionica: Muchísimas gracias!!!

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Put It In A Kiss–Katherine Alexander

Mister Chino

Maluma feat. Eli Palacios - La Temperatura

Messiah

An urban artist from NY, Messiah, is making his mark in music with his incredible improvisation skills and smooth voice for the ladies!!! Look out it's Messiah!!!!

Messiah: Well my style in music is rather different. I've been making music since I was eleven and come from a family of musicians. Both my dad & uncle were musicians. I've always been inspired by  romantic oldies like José José, Sandro & Raphael and have     tried to incorporate different lyrics into reggaeton. 

For example, I don't like making songs just to make them. I need to have a subject, not just something that says 'get close', 'tra', 'grind'...

Everyone says that my music is different which makes me unique. 

 In order for me to get inspired to write, I'll listen to a love song instead. A song that has lyrics that will inspire me to write something nice.

Bionica: Who is your favorite singer?

Messiah: My favorite singer is Sandro. He's Argentine, known as Sandro of America. 

Bionica: How would you say that Sandro inspired you in your current songs?

Messiah: Sandro was actually my dad's favorite artist and I make music for my dad, so listening to Sandro made him my favorite artist too. I'm not going to say that all of my songs are inspired by Sandro or have something to do with him, but he's definitely one of the artists that inspired me to write songs. 

Bionica: What's that process like when you are going to write a song?

Messiah:  The process–I think that the muse of inspiration can touch an artist at any moment. For example, I could be at the studio and I'll have a song. I'll dream, come up with a melody then all I have to do is add the lyrics... There have been times when something will hit me as I'm walking home and when I get there I'll already have a chorus. I'll have a base and when I sit down at home, I just start to write. But I can't say that there is an exact thing that inspires me. 

There are artists whom only write while in the studio, but for me it's different. Inspiration can come at any place, at any time. It's just something that comes to you. Take advantage when it does touch you. It's good to carry around your iphone because you can write it down right away. I used to write on a piece of paper, but there are times when you won't have paper and you might forget something. I just take out my iphone and start writing–the rest is history. 

Bionica: What steps did you take to forward your musical career?

Messiah: I used to be part of a duo called Tali & Messiah. Our song Las Vocales is what put us out there and it became a huge hit in South America. You can say that we didn't know how to seize the moment. We were very young and it was hard to pick up the buzz again. 

But now I'm working on a project as a solo artist and I'm thankful to God because many doors have opened. My manager and his wife Stefi Chacón have helped me out so much. Thanks to them I have been able to work with Ñengo Flow as well as Zion & Lennox. I'm also working on a song with De La Ghetto. I definitely feel very blessed with everything!!!

Thank you Messiah!!!

Twitter 

Instagram 

Wisin - Adrenalina ft. Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin

Amara La Negra-Ai Ai Ai

Entrevista con Boy Wonder

My dearest bloggers, check out the very fashionable Boy Wonder!!! He has made a guest appearance before as a man of style, but this time I had the pleasure of asking the young music producer some questions about his work and upcoming projects. Boy Wonder is the man behind the Chosen Few documentaries which explore the urban latin music scene and its different rhythms. 

A ver mis queriada(o)s bloguera(o)s, tenemos de vuelta al chico maravilla Boy Wonder!!! Esta vez su presencia nos brinda una entrevista en la cual el joven productor nos cuenta un poco sobre lo que se acerca en sus proyectos musicales. Él es el hombre tras los documentales Chosen Few que hablan sobre el genero urbano en el mercado latino y esos ritmos diferentes.

Bionica: Boy Wonder, me parece que eres como un gurú musical ya que encuentras a estos artistas tan talentosos y trabajas con ellos para tu documental. Dime un poco sobre el proceso y tu búsqueda. 

Boy Wonder: No te puedo contar todos los secretos, pero si te puedo decir que soy una persona trabajadora & ambiciosa. Soy apasionado en lo que hago y eso es muy importante. 

El mundo cambia, nosotros crecemos y también cambia la música y uno tiene que ser parte de eso. He sido muy afortunado & bendecido al mantenerme y ser parte de esto. 

Bionica:¿Cuenta me, cuál fue tu inspiración ya que empezaste hacer estos documentales a una temprana edad? 

Boy Wonder: A lo primero había mucha confusión sobre lo latino urbano y aun pienso que la hay, pero es algo que esta creciendo y aumentando en popularidad y demanda. Pienso que en los próximos años va haber mucho mas en lo latino urbano. 

Bionica: ¿Qué dirías tú que es tu próximo paso?

Boy Wonder: Ahora mismo estoy terminando el disco nuevo llamado Chosen Few Urbano Continues. Estoy contento porque tenemos algo nuevo. Jenny La Sexy Voz es una nueva artista que esta dando espacio para la cara femenina y su voz. 

Tenemos muchas cosas con las que estamos trabajando.

Ya saben lo que es, Boy Wonder Chosen Few–no se trata de pegar un disco, se trata de hacer un clásico. Aquí con Ropita BonBon dale!!!  

Gracias Boy Wonder!!!

Twitter 

Instagram

Facebook 

Song played-J. Balvin-Sin Compromiso

Escucharon a J. Balvin-Sin Compromiso 

DJ Fiuger

camisa: Abercombie & Fitch pantalones: Forever 21, zapatillas: own 

shirt: Abercombie & Fitch pants: Forever 21, sneakers: own 

DJFiuger.Net

SoundCloud

Twitter 

Facebook 

Instagram