Chikita Violenta has been leading the thriving Mexican independent rock scene for several years now. Hailing from Mexico City, they crafted their unique sound after North American and British alt/college/lo-fi acts instead of the traditional latin-roots rock that dominated the national scene at the time. At first, their bold English-language approach to music was unheard of for a Mexican band. It was even critized as “un-patriotic” or “un-marketable” by some, as it didn’t follow in the path of the few successful Mexican rock acts of the time. Around the year 2000 the indie-rock scene was practically nonexistent in Mexico. However, things would change dramatically in the following years. As a new breed of young bands started flooding the scene, the emerging indie-DIY subculture took over, placing a newfound emphasis on independence and artistic integrity. Chikita Violenta was suddenly among the country’s pioneer bands in the new Mexican indie wave. After a couple of self-released EPs, Chikita Violenta enlisted David Newfeld (Broken Social Scene, Super Furry Animals) to produce their new material. After sending demos back and forth to Toronto, and the band making three trips to the Stars & Suns studio over the next two years, Chikita Violenta’s debut album The Stars & Suns Sessions was finally completed. The debut album features collaborations from members of the Broken Social Scene family, including founders Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning and Justin Peroff, and Do Make Say Think’s Charles Spearin. Newfeld’s guidance gives The Stars & Suns Sessions a unique blend, texture and sound, creating a cohesive and organic pop-cloud that has immediately made its mark on the indie scene and beyond upon its 2007 release with Noiselab Records . Singles “Laydown” and “War” lead the way in an album full of surprises, as the band takes their sound way beyond its borders. Chikita Violenta: Luis Arce: bass, vocals Armando David: keyboards, bass Eduardo Pacheco: drums Cheech: guitar, bass Andrés Velasco: guitar, vocals
http://2008.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/69873.html
