Musica

In celebration of the highly anticipated worldwide premiere of “Julieta Venegas MTV Unplugged,” MTV Tr3s is giving Julieta fans an unprecedented and intimate look at the Mexican singer/songwriter through its marquee “Artists Speaking Tr3s” superstar campaign, beginning on May 16th. The campaign will run for more than six weeks and features nine vignettes, co-created with Julieta, that show a side of her that fans have never before seen. There’s also exclusive programming, online and mobile experiences and several exclusive performances and appearances that make up “Artists Speaking Tr3s: Julieta Venegas.”

“In this Artists Speaking Tr3s campaign, Julieta is literally surrounded by LOVE because it is a recurring source of inspiration for her,” explains Jesus Lara, Senior Vice President of Music and Talent, MTV Tr3s and MTV/VH1 Latin America.

Created by the MTV Tr3s On-Air Promotions team in collaboration with the artist, Julieta’s nine vignettes feature stripped down versions of the world to provide a clean and aesthetic place where Julieta plays, talks and interacts with LOVE. The vignettes explore the different ways and forms in which she does this, from living it, talking about it, using it and expressing it in her writing, music and songs.

In addition to the extensive on-air promo campaign, Julieta will also be featured in exclusive and multiplatform programming such as “Videologia” (May 26th at 9 PM) and “Making MTV Unplugged (May 26th at 9:30 PM) and the premiere of “Julieta Venegas MTV Unplugged” (June 5th at 9 PM).

Starting May 16th, viewers can learn more about Julieta’s MTV Unplugged by visiting http://www.unplugged.mtvtr3s.com. “Julieta Venegas MTV Unplugged” will be available in full on http://www.unplugged.mtvtr3s.com starting June 5th, and affiliated programming will be posted to the site prior to the show’s airdate. Throughout the campaign, users can learn more about Julieta via her MTV Tr3s artist page packed with music videos new and old, Artists Speaking Tr3s vignettes, a behind-the-scenes of Artists Speaking Tr3s video exclusive, photos, bios and more. MTV Tr3s Mobile will feature long-form versions of the on-air promos.

On June 17th, New York’s Times Square will be flooded with fans anxious to catch a glimpse of Julieta as she makes an appearance on “Mi TRL,” which will be projected on a public jumbo 44 1/2 foot video screen for all to see. Julieta will follow her “Mi TRL” taping with an appearance at the Virgin Megastore at 7 PM where she will autograph copies of her “Julieta Venegas MTV Unplugged” CD/DVD, which is being released the same day by Sony/BMG. “Mi TRL” featuring Julieta airs on June 19th at 4 PM.

The “Artists Speaking Tr3s” campaign with Julieta Venegas wraps up on Saturday July 12th when the channel sponsors a free concert with her as part of New York Summerstage.

“Julieta Venegas is one of those rare artists who is known not only for her amazing musical talent but also for her distinct interpretive style which has earned her fans throughout the world,” added Lara. “Julieta was the muse of LOVE in our Artists Speaking Tr3s campaign and only MTV Tr3s is able to present her in such an innovative way. It was exciting to provide her with the creative platform of the Artists Speaking Tr3s campaign and we are thrilled to provide our audience with such a special look at her and her music.”

MTV Tr3s selects superstar Latino artists throughout the year for its “Artists Speaking Tr3s” campaign and collaborates with them on the creation of distinctive, customized spots that offer fans the most intimate television programming experience — an unprecedented and unique look at their favorite artists, their music and their lives. Previous “Artists Speaking Tr3s” artists include Aventura, Enrique Iglesias, and AB Quintanilla.

“Julieta Venegas MTV Unplugged” provided an acoustic platform for Julieta to showcase new songs and perform some of her biggest hits in an intimate setting before a live audience. During the show, she integrated an eclectic mix of rhythm and harmony by incorporating an array of instruments including the tuba, clarinet, xylophone, flute and a string quartet, among others, giving a new twist to some of her classic hits such as “Limón y Sal,” “Lento” and “Me Voy.” New songs included “El Presente”, “Algún Día”, “Mira la Vida” and “Ilusión.”

MTV Tr3s (http://www.mtvtr3s.com) is the most widely distributed TV network dedicated to superserving today’s bicultural Latino youth and is currently seen in 6.3 million Hispanic TV households and 33.3 million total TV households. Music programming is at the core of MTV Tr3s and the channel features hitmakers, emerging artists and new sounds that resonate with young U.S. Latinos and celebrate their hybrid identity and culture. In addition to music programming, the MTV Tr3s programming slate features lifestyle series, news, documentaries and other long-form programs.”*

Pepe Aguilar’s Mexican pride is reflected in the title of his latest CD, “100% Mexicano.”

For Aguilar, one of the most popular commercial ranchera singers, the album, which won a Grammy last year for best Mexican-American/Mexican album, marks his return to “banda,” the regional Mexican music that launched his career in the early 1990s.

Aguilar had taken a hiatus from the style to focus on recording a variety of mariachi, but says it’s time to say it loud and say it proud.”*

The equation’s a simple one: Nortec equals norteño plus techno, and the combo is kind of like dipping pizza in mustard or barbecue sauce, or both, when you’ve run out of ranch dressing.

Rockabilly comes close as far as splicing together two genres goes, but it winds up sounding nowhere nearly as preposterous as smearing a bouncy house track with a thick polka bass line that’s piled with brass. That’s norteño.

Borders, both cultural and physical, bring out the oddest of what lies on either side, especially in this sun-drenched corner of the world where Latin America, California and the Pacific Ocean collide.“*

Chilean rocker Beto Cuevas kept the songs he composed in the three years since his band La Ley broke up a top secret.

“I didn’t want my fans to suffer from demoitis,” says the former leader of the Grammy-winning group, making up a disease that causes fans to get used to the sound of demo tapes and reject the final recording.

“That’s why I want people to first listen to these songs live — a sort of Off-Broadway for the songs,” adds Cuevas, 40, from San Jose, Calif., during a stop in his tour that will bring him to New York Saturday for a solo debut at Irving Plaza.”*

At risk of sounding stereotypical, it seemed only natural that Jaci Velasquez and Salvador’s Nic Gonzalez would end up marrying and starting a family together. Not only are both Christians and Latinos, but they’re also among the biggest proponents of their individual music styles—she in the realm of Christian pop, he the frontman of Christian music’s premier Latin pop/rock band. But the relationship was not a smooth one, initially. The two dated several years ago, only to break up and go their separate ways—Velasquez got into what she now calls an “accidental” first marriage while Gonzalez kept busy focusing on touring. In 2006, the pair reconnected and, picking up right where they left off all those years ago, tied the knot in a small wedding in the groom’s hometown of Austin, Texas. Today, the couple resides in Nashville, celebrating a trio of recent projects: the release of their respective albums—Velasquez’s Love Out Loud (A’postrophe) and Salvador’s Aware (Word)—as well as the birth of their first baby boy, Zealand David. The young Latin lovers talked to Christian Music Today about their new season in life together and what effect it’s had on their creativity.”*

The Group Is Currently Preparing For This Summer’s Entire
43 Date Vans Warped Tour Across The U.S.

Digital Edition Of The Album Lands At Online Stores On May 20th.

“The boys from Barcelona hit the streets with [Wild Animals], a surprisingly confident and joyful collection of jaunty hooks and mondo beats that fully exploits all that the Pinker Tones hear and integrate in their port city.”
- THE WASHINGTON POST

“This group from Barcelona has developed a brilliant way to bring people to a musical climax thanks to their genius fusion of languages and rhythms in an electronic mood. ‘Wild Animals’ is one of the most amazing albums of the year.“
- PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL

“Like some sort of hipster virus, the Pinker Tones’ poppy electronica has spread from the duo’s hometown of Barcelona.”
- BILLBOARD

“Barcelona’s Pinker Tones are just flat-out unbelievably fucking great…they rate as one of the finest exercises in pop confection currently working in the known universe.”
- LA WEEKLY

The critics are already beginning to buzz about Barcelona-based electronic act The Pinker Tones‘ new album, ‘Wild Animals‘, in advance of its release on June 3rd. The album will be available at digital outlets on May 20th. The dynamic duo’s third U.S. album continues the explosive momentum sparked by their 2006 debut ‘The Million Colour Revolution’ and 2007 remix album ‘More Colours!’. The group is currently preparing for their set this summer on the entire 43 date Vans Warped Tour across the U.S. (see tour dates below). They will perform an extended set each night in the Skull Candy electronic music tent.

‘Wild Animals’ features a wide array of special vocal guests including reggae soul legend Jimmy Lindsay from Cymande on “The Whistling Song” and Amparo from Spanish band Amparanoia on “Electrotumbao”. First single will be the track, “Happy Everywhere.”

“Our last album, ‘The Million Colour Revolution’, was about utopia, a projection for how we wanted the world to be,” Mister Furia explains. “‘Wild Animals’ is about reality, our interpretation of the actual world we live in. Songs like “The Whistling Song”, “24″ and “On Se Promenait” are some of our happiest and most nostalgic yet.”

Just in 2007, the group was the subject of a New York Times feature, had an A&E television special, performed on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic”, had a song featured on hit sitcoms “Ugly Betty” and “Entourage” and saw heavy video play on networks like mtvU, MTV Tr3s, Mun2, and LATV. The Pinker Tones also made a major splash at last year’s SXSW, where they performed five shows in only 36 hours and also blew away the audience at KCRW’s Sounds Eclectic Evening in Los Angeles alongside leading artists like The Shins, Lily Allen and Rodrigo and Gabriela. The Pinker Tones recent single “Karma Hunters” was also selected by national bilingual youth network Mun2 as the theme song for its popular reality show ‘Chicas Project’.

This past August, The Pinker Tones released ‘More Colours!’, an album complete with infectious remixes and collaborations featuring a stellar lineup of artists including Kinky, Nortec Collective, Zeta Bosio (Soda Stereo) and Mexican Institute of Sound.   Over several national U.S. tours throughout 2007, the DJ crew brought their electrifying set to fans across the country. The New York Times even claimed that, “Unlike many electronica acts, The Pinker Tones thrive onstage.” With a live show that combines the intensity of a rock band and the excitement of a DJ set, the group is moving along on the path to global domination. The Pinker Tones have ventured from Barcelona to such faraway places as London, Caracas, Buenos Aires, Moscow, Toronto, Beijing and Johannesburg.

THE PINKER TONES ON VANS WARPED TOUR 2008 (SKULL CANDY TENT)

Wed Jun 25 - Cricket Wireless Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
Thu Jun 26 - New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Sat Jun 28 - Utah State Fair, Salt Lake City, UT
Sun Jun 29 - Invesco Field At Mile High, Denver, CO
Tue Jul 01 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, St Louis , MO
Wed Jul 02 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Bonner Springs, KS
Thu Jul 03 - Superpages.com Center, Dallas, TX
Sat Jul 05 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Selma, TX
Sun Jul 06 - Sam Houston Race Park, Houston, TX
Wed Jul 09 - Lakewood Exhibition Center, Atlanta, GA
Thu Jul 10 - Central Florida Fairgrounds, Orlando, FL
Fri Jul 11 - Vinoy Park, Petersburg, FL
Sat Jul 12 - Bicentennial Park, Miami, FL
Sun Jul 13 - St Johns County Fairgrounds, Elkton, FL
Mon Jul 14 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte, NC
Tue Jul 15 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA
Wed Jul 16 - Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
Thu Jul 17 - Tower Amphitheatre, Cleveland, OH
Fri Jul 18 - Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Sat Jul 19 - Downsview Park Allen Road, Toronto, ON
Sun Jul 20 - Park Jean Drapeau, Montreal, QC
Wed Jul 23 - Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, Mansfield, MA
Thu Jul 24 - Darien Lake P.A.C., Darien Center, NY
Fri Jul 25 - Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
Sat Jul 26 - Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
Sun Jul 27 - Toyota Pavilion, Scranton, PA
Mon Jul 28 - Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ
Tue Jul 29 - Post Gazette Pavilion At Star Lake, Pittsburgh, PA
Wed Jul 30 - Riverbend Amphitheatre, Cincinnati, OH
Thu Jul 31 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Noblesville, IN
Fri Aug 01 - Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee, WI
Sat Aug 02 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Sun Aug 03 - Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN
Tue Aug 05 - Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon, SK
Wed Aug 06 - Race City Speedway, Calgary, AB
Fri Aug 08 - Idaho Center Amphitheatre, Nampa, ID
Sat Aug 09 - Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA
Sun Aug 10 - Columbia Meadows, St. Helens, OR
Wed Aug 13 - Save Mart Center, Fresno, CA
Thu Aug 14 - Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
Fri Aug 15 - Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
Sat Aug 16 - Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Marysville, CA
Sun Aug 17 - The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA

For more information about The Pinker Tones and Wild Animals, please contact:
Paul Dryden (paul.dryden@cookman.com) or
Jennifer Sarkissian (Jennifer.sarkissian@cookman.com)
at Nacional Records - 818.763.1397.

www.NacionalRecords.com

La agrupación mexicana Maná recibió Disco de Platino por las altas ventas de su álbum Arde el Cielo, durante el cierre mundial de su gira Amar es Combatir en esta capital del estado de Nuevo León.

Asimismo, la popular banda continúa en la posición número uno del Latin Chart de la revista Billboard y se colocó por cinco semanas consecutivas en la primera posición de la radio con su sencillo Si no te Hubieras Ido.”*

An innovative exhibition that traces the genesis and evolution of Chicano and Latino music over the past 70 years is currently on view at the University of California, Santa Barbara and is accessible via telephone. “Sounds Latino!” continues through June 30 and highlights renowned singers and groups whose papers and other collections are represented in the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives ( CEMA ) located in UCSB’s Davidson Library.

The bolero, mambo, corrido, swing, boogie, Tex-Mex, and even punk rock are woven into the fabric of Latino cultural heritage, and the multidisciplinary exhibition engages visitors through the visual and theater arts as well as recorded music.

“We bring to life some of the music that many people may not have known was part of the historical chronology of Latino music over the last seven decades,” said Salvador Güereña, director of CEMA. “It’s important for younger people to know the impact it had on music across the spectrum.”

Vintage recordings were brought back to life for the exhibition –– which also includes interpretive texts, photos, artifacts, and historical documents –– and Güereña included the telephone component because he wanted “Sounds Latino!” to appeal to young people and engage them through the music. Over 40 music selections can be accessed by telephone, including pieces by Lalo Guerrero, whose archives are housed at UCSB; Tito Puente; Perez Prado; Adelina García; Ritchie Valens; Don Tosti; and the Chicano punk rock group The Brat.

“Not everyone has an iPod or an iPhone, but pretty much everyone has a cell phone,” he said. “Also, Latino music lovers aren’t limited by the four walls of the exhibition room. They can pick up a phone anywhere and at any time call in for a bolero or mambo or boogie and listen to their heart’s content.”

More information about the exhibition, including directions for accessing the recordings, is available at http://cemaweb.library.ucsb.edu/cema_exh_present.html”*

COOL - Use your cell phone and enter phone number (805) 357-4694, wait for prompt, and then enter selection number followed by the pound sign. These are mainly vintage recordings transferred from original disks, including hisses and pops. Go to this page to see what you can listen to.

As a bonus to its highly recommended exhibit “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music,” Experience Music Project presents the greatest salsa band of all time — El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico — at 8 tonight at EMP.

With its 40-year-plus legacy of more than 50 albums, including a Grammy-winning 40th anniversary concert disc, El Gran Combo is the real deal — salsa as it has been danced to in Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Curaçao and beyond for more than four decades. With saxophones, trumpets and trombone answering the call of an infectious vocal trio — which in turn follows its own lead-and-chorus patterns — and a thicket of percussion thrusting the music forward, El Gran Combo creates an irresistible mix for dancing or listening.”*

Ersi Arvizu was on vacation in Hawaii a few years ago when she heard that some guy named Ry Cooder was looking for her. She got the news from colleagues who knew her from her long-gone glory days as lead singer of El Chicano, the 1970s East Los Angeles band famous for her version of the classic old bolero “Sabor a Mi.”

No way, shot back Arvizu, who had long before moved to Arizona. Besides, she was “fit to be tied,” she said, over a money dispute involving a previous El Chicano comeback concert. She was in no mood to get back in the business.

Her colleagues insisted this was the chance of a lifetime. How many veteranos wouldn’t want to work with the producer who had turned a bunch of aging, forgotten Cuban musicians into the international superstars called the Buena Vista Social Club?”*

The highly awaited presentation of Luis Miguel’s latest CD, Cómplices, took place on Tuesday night at the Casino Español in Mexico City. The event began on time– at 3:00 p.m. sharp –when over 300 fans gathered in front of the casino to welcome their idol. Over 100 security guards watched over the venue where the singer was scheduled to make his appearance at 6:30 p.m. “Not even the President has such a big following,” a businessman from México City stated. The frenzy was justified. After all, this was the singer’s first public appearance in his native México in almost two years.”*

ALAS (”wings” in Spanish) has finalized the artist line-up for “El Concierto Por Los Niños” (“The Concert For The Children”), which will see many of the  world’s leading Latin music superstars join in a call-to-action to aid impoverished children in Latin America. Set to take place on May 17^th with concerts in Mexico and Argentina, this historic event will see the participation of the following artists:

Mexico City - La Plaza de la Constitución, (El Zócalo) - Starting at 5:00PM (Local Time)

Aleks Syntek, Ana Torroja, Babasonicos, Chayanne, David Bisbal, Diego Torres, Emmanuel, Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes, Los Tigres del Norte, Maná, Miguel Bose,

Ricardo Montaner, Ricky Martin, Timbiriche and Tania Libertad

Buenos Aires - Costanera Sur - Starting at 2PM (Local Time)

Alejandro Sanz, Calle 13, Fito Paez, Gustavo Cerati, Jorge Drexler,  La Portuaria, Paulina Rubio, Pedro Aznar And  Shakira

With venue sizes able to accommodate up to 200,000 people in Mexico City and another 120,000 in Buenos Aires, “El Concierto Por Los Niños” is expected to bring together well over 300,000 music fans. In fact, fans in Buenos Aires have already grabbed the large majority of available tickets as over 90,000 free passes were distributed in just over a week.   In Mexico City, where the free concert is open to fans on a first arrival basis, the city’s famed El Zócalo is expected to fill to capacity.

Terra Networks and Warner Music announced a partnership to present the DVD release of “Arde el Cielo con Maná”. The exclusive bilingual online programming will provide consumers a unique and unprecedented in-depth artist experience at Terra.com, including contests, photo galleries, community pages, blogs, webisodes of exclusive interviews and much more.

“We are proud to partner with Warner Music in order to offer Maná fans and the online community in general groundbreaking online coverage of one of the best rock bands in the world, Maná and the release of their DVD ‘Arde el Cielo con Maná’,” said Angel Sepúlveda, Executive Director of Programming of Terra Networks USA.

“In this new digital world we need to cater to a consumer that is eager for new content and open to new ways to relate to their favorite bands. I can’t think of a better way to start off this relationship with Terra than with a band like Maná,” said Gabriela Martínez, Vice President of Marketing for Warner Music Latin America.

The initial phase includes the re-launch of the Maná artist page with new videos, photo galleries, bios, trivia and exclusive sneak peaks of the DVD as well as a contest where fans will compete to become the ultimate Maná fan. Terra users will vote to select the top five finalists and the band will select the winner, who will attend the release party and be the “Official Maná Blogger” on the web.

The second phase will include an autographed Gibson guitar giveaway and a behind the scenes with Terra TV Host Luisa Fernanda as Maná, Terra and Warner Music get ready to take-over. Terra and Terra TV editorial teams will provide live minute-by-minute coverage available at http://www.terra.com/musica/artistas/m/mana .”*

Colby O’Donis, the 20-year-old Queens-born, Orlando-bred musical prodigy recently signed to Akon’s KonLive label, is the newest MTV Tr3s “Descubre & Download” artist. Colby will get aggressive on-air exposure, interactive online elements, wireless content distribution and other off-air promotional and marketing elements designed to reach today’s multitasking music fan through June 8th.

Those eager to discover Colby can download his new single “What You Got,” also available in Spanish (”Cuanto Quieres,” recorded exclusively for MTV Tr3s), for free at download.mtvtr3s.com. Users may also watch the “What You Got” music video and Descubre & Download vignette on Colby’s dedicated page. In addition, fans get to know the artist better through an exclusive web interview with Colby on blogamole.mtvtr3s.com. For mobile fans, Colby’s “Descubre & Download” vignettes will be streamed and a ringtone of “What You Got” will be available through Motricity.

Born to Puerto Rican parents, Colby has been singing, dancing and playing guitar since he was a very young boy. At age nine, he was signed to Full Force, the hitmakers responsible for the success of Lisa Lisa and The Cult Jam, and penned hits for Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. He met Akon about three years ago who was immediately impressed with the young prodigy, and the rest as they say is history in the making.

“The world will assume I am Irish or Greek by my stage name, so it’s an honor to finally let everyone know that I am Latino first and foremost,” says Colby. “Being chosen as a Descubre & Download artist for MTV Tr3s made me feel welcomed into the Latino community and I hope that I can set a good example for everyone that follows me. Mostly that if you put your mind to it, you can do it. Yes it’s hard to break into R&B but not impossible so I say stick to your fight when you’re hardest hit. When things seem the worst, that’s when you must not quit”.

“There’s great buzz about Colby and his first single, “What You Got” featuring Akon. It is sure to be one of the anthems of the summer,” said Michael Galbe, MTV Tr3s Vice President of Music and Talent. “MTV Tr3s viewers are in for a treat of Colby’s unique mix of R&B, Pop, and Latin flavor and we are very excited to be the first network to support Colby with an extensive multiplatform campaign.”

MTV Tr3s (mtvtr3s.com) is in 6.2 million Hispanic TV households and 31.9 million total TV households, making it the most-widely distributed TV network dedicated to superserving today’s bicultural Latino youth. MTV Tr3s programming is rooted in the fusion of American and Latino music, cultures, lifestyles and languages. Music programming is at the core of MTV Tr3s and the channel features hitmakers, emerging artists and new sounds that resonate with young U.S. Latinos. In addition to music programming, the MTV Tr3s programming slate also features lifestyle series, news, documentaries and other long-form programs that celebrate US Latino hybrid identity and culture. “*

Grammy-winning singer Luis Miguel is releasing a new album as a changed man thanks to the birth of his son.

The Mexican crooner says his love for his one-year-old son has transformed him personally and professionally, ahead of the release of his new album “Complices.”"*

El cantautor español Miguel Bosé afirmó que su principal deseo antes de morirse es cantar a dúo con el brasileño Caetano Veloso.

“No me quiero morir sin cantar con Caetano”, señaló Bosé en conferencia de prensa en Bogotá, Colombia, previa al recital que dio el martes ante sus fans colombianos como parte del “Papitour”.”*

La llegada del cantante Luis Miguel ayer al Casino Español en el Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México, para la presentación de su nuevo álbum, causó gran expectación, ya que cientos de personas estaban afuera del recinto para esperar su arribo.”*

Integrity Music Latin recently celebrated the win of their first Billboard Latin Music Award and also were honored to have four artists among the five nominees for Spanish Language Album for the 39th Annual Dove Awards.

The Billboard Latin Music Award for Christian/Gospel Album of the Year was presented to Integrity artist Danilo Montero for his CD Tu Amor (“Your Love”). The Awards ceremony, which was held at the Hard Rock Casino ballroom in Hollywood, Florida, recognizes outstanding artists and albums in a variety of categories. “*

Inspirado por la palabra de dios y con una actitud renovada en el ámbito espiritual, humano y artístico, el cantante colombiano Charlie Zaa tuvo ayer martes un breve encuentro con los medios de comunicación de Los Ángeles para presentar Sueña sueña, primer disco que graba luego de estar alejado de toda actividad musical y pública a lo largo de los últimos tres años.

Durante la charla en el restaurante de City of Commerce donde Zaa actuará este sábado, el cantante describió su ausencia de los escenarios como “un retiro” al que llegó obligado por una serie de problemas físicos, mentales y psicológicos que terminaron por desembocar en una crisis que lo puso al borde de la muerte.”*

Intocable’s “Tu Adios No Mata” debuted this past week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since Los Tigres del Norte’s “Lagrimas” debuted in the top spot in 1999.

Intocable’s two-year absence from the recording studio may have created a pent-up demand among radio listeners for the group’s signature mix of norteno with rock and country touches.”*

Most pop stars — well, the few that don’t enjoy sustained, mega-successful careers — don’t flame out; they simply fade away, slipping slowly from the spotlight.

Cuban-born Jon Secada, a smooth vocalist who cut his teeth with the Miami Sound Machine and rode a string of smash singles to stardom in the early 1990s, hasn’t quit the business, but rather shifted into a role of pop music elder statesman, logging time on Broadway, appearing as a judge on Latin American Idol, touring and recording (Secada’s next album, the tentatively titled bilingual disc Classics, is due out this year).”*

Alexis Puentes is running late with his sound check, but the crowd at Copa, a popular Latin dance bar on Congress Avenue here, seems driven to distraction. It’s hard not to stare at Puentes, who performs as Alex Cuba. There’s his towering Afro reminiscent of Sly Stone’s, the bushy sideburns that jut out to the corners of his mouth, the tight-as-Tupperware ripped jeans, the big brown eyes, and the toothy white smile Al Green used to flash back in the ’70s.

Puentes, in town for the South by Southwest music festival, looks exactly like his music sounds: funky, soulful, and, yes, suave. Fifteen minutes into his set, the audience, which had been seated cross-legged on the floor, has gotten up to dance, one by one like dominoes in reverse. They’re spinning around the dance floor, all elbows and hips and Coronas swinging from hands held aloft. But Puentes is giving them something irresistible and completely unexpected: an evening of old-school soul and funk - en español.”*

San Francisco, CA MAY 6, 2006 - CONVERGENCE will showcase the most progressive Latin alternative bands and artists whose music challenges and provokes the listener. This mini festival within a festival will present three consecutive concerts with genres of Latin alternative ranging from Noise to Punk to Indie, Reggae and New Wave. .

The Latin Alternative Rock scene in Northern California has been developing and growing steadily for years, yet there has been no festival exclusively showcasing this genre until now. CONVERGENCE will be the first Latin Alternative rock concert series to do this. The goals of CONVERGENCE will be to:

• Support emerging local talent
• Firmly establish continuous Latin Alternative Rock programming in Northern California
• Encourage collaborations and foster community amongst all alternative and independent rock artists locally, nationally and internationally.
• Introduce new Latin Alternative Rock “Buzz” bands

ABOUT MISSION CREEK MUSIC and ARTS FESTIVAL
Mission Creek was founded in 1996, as an effort to promote local Bay Area music and eventually other forms of art that now include film, dance, visual arts, literature, and multimedia performance. Local Bay Area musician/artist Jeff Ray founded the festival in order to fill a cultural void that existed in San Francisco. Until Mission Creek was created, there was no known festival that promoted Bay Area musicians and artists. Now in its 12th year, the festival has grown tremendously in size and attendance, from a one-day event with eight bands and an audience of approximately 100 to a multi-day event with up to 180 acts, serving an audience of approximately 3,000. Twelve years and over 600 events later, MCMAF has reliably featured a wide range of Bay Area talent, and has introduced many local musicians who have since achieved international acclaim. After more than a decade of unrivaled programming, MCMAF has become a destination for both national and international talent.

THE ARTISTS – CONVERGENCE I – “THE BRIGHT SPOT”

Volumen Cero has been at the forefront of Latinos that perform nontraditional music. In 2004, Volumen Cero became one of the first Latin Alternative groups ever to be profiled on MTV’s Advance Warning, which aired on MTV and MTV2. In 2005, Volumen Cero received Latin Grammy Nominations for best rock album by a duo or group for their critically acclaimed album Estelar and guitarist Marthin Chan was also nominated for best rock song, as writer for JD Natasha’s “Lagrimas.” With the release of their third album Estelar, the band’s first single “Autos” spent over 10 weeks in the #1 spot and 20 weeks in the top 3 of R&R’s Latin Rock Chart. The band is currently putting the finishing touches on, I CAN SEE THE BRIGHT SPOT, their fourth studio album set to released mid-2008.

The May Fire: San Francisco has done it again. Once more the great city by the Bay has fashioned a musical product worth buzzing over. Right And Wrong has captured and liberated local listeners with sassy songs and adrenaline filled choruses, which echo that of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fever To Tell. Their liveliness has been compared to that of Metric and it’s quite apparent that there’s no end in sight for the young band. – Zero Magazine

Monte Negro: You are what you eat.† Monte Negro, a bilingual Los Angeles based rock band, has devoured enough music genres over the years to do justice to the bilingual and bicultural musicians that constitute the group.† Digesting healthy portions of Jane’s Addiction, The Cure, The Clash, and the Sex Pistols, Monte Negro has also piled onto its proverbial plate Latin-alternative rockers such as Caifanes, Los Fabuloso Cadillacs, Maldita Vecindad, Mano Negra, Soda Stereo, and Spinetta.† As with any good meal, Monte Negro combines sophisticated taste influences with unique combinations of flavor, and stews it all together with time and a pinch of luck.

Lualta: “In 2002, local sextet Lualta received a San Diego Music Award nomination for “Best New Artist.” After one listen to the band’s latest, five-song EP “Catapult” (Red Camera Recordings), it is immediately evident why. Lualta creates a kaleidoscope of layered styles and textures that is simultaneously engaging and sedating. Songs tend to start out light and easy before exploding into an electrifying fusion of psychedelic, R&B and garage rock. Hazy, druggy guitars mutate into down-and-dirty, pedal-heavy hooks and melt with tender, melodic keyboards. Lualta’s solid instrumentation, combined with lead singer Michael Hernandez’s pleasantly screechy, cigarette-scorched vocals, induces hypnotic reverie then jerks you awake.”-Claire Caraska, SignOn San Diego

THE ARTSTS – CONVERGENCE II - HEAT

Bat Makumba: The brainchild of Brazilian natives Alex Koberle and Emiliano Benevides and Americano bassist Carl Remde, Bat Makumba is the crossroads between the equatorial beats of Brazil and the punk, rock and funk influences of the U.S. and Europe. Locals to San Francisco, Bat Makumba’s show is a hip renegade carnaval party full of tropicalia tinged ska, punk influenced forro, and rock infused samba. Bat Makumba’s live show brings together an international palette of musicians and instrumentation (including accordion, zabumba, megaphone, clarinet and alfaia). Named after the 70s classic Tropicalia song by Caetano Veloso + Gilberto Gil (popularized by Os Mutantes), “Bat Makumba” loosely translates to mean the mixing of Brazilian traditionalism with international pop culture. Don’t miss this kinetic, percussive music… join the renegade carnaval party that is Bat Makumba!

Chana: Influenced as much by Stereolab and Gorillaz as by Aterciopelados and Julieta Venegas, Chana is an LA-based singer whose tropical sound could be described as global hip-pop. Born in New York City and reared by a party-loving Dominican family, her father’s salsa and R&B records were a sonic constant while growing up. After coming to LA, Chana began collaborating with producer Marthin Chan, whose previous work with Volumen Cero had earned him a Latin Grammy nomination. Working out of Chan’s garage in Echo Park, the duo began collaborating in 2005, and were aided by friend Jorge Elbrecht of the New York art collective Lansing-Dreiden. Their first batch of demos includes “No Me Mandes Flores,” which sounds like Andrea Echeverri fronting a funk band; “A Veces,” whose swampy sonics and bouncy bass give off a dub feel; and “Icaro,” a jagged, thrilling rush of pop.

The Cuban Cowboys: Mixing traditional Cuban Son and Montuno with indie rock ain’t easy. But it is a blast. The Cuban Cowboys bring post-punk sensibilities straight to the heart of the Buena Vista Social club. Armed with mambo riffs, swooning surf guitar, and intelligent lyrics, the band is steadily building a following along both U.S. coasts.”Without a doubt, the Cuban Cowboys put on one of the best shows in the local pop scene” says the NY Daily News.

Velorio: The energy of the live shows, the variety of the songs, and the diversity of the audience all reflect the many praxes of Velorio the band.† Velorio manifests the linguistic power of music to unite people, tongues and ideas.

THE ARTISTS – COVERGENCE III - CRASH

Firme: Firme (pronounced “Fear-May”) has been energizing crowds across California for 10 years, honing their distinct sound. Firme’s trademark sound often slides seductively from rock, to reggae, to Latin, and bring you back full circle.

No Way Jose: No Way Jose is a Southern California punk band that has been building a buzz in the LA music scene. NWJ mixes their Southern California punk, Tex-Mex, and Mexican-American influences to create their own sound they call “Spanglish Punk.”

The Graves Brothers Deluxe: Bela Lugosi and Elvis Presley both died on Stoo Odom’s birthday. (This is true.) The GRAVES BROTHERS DELUXE, disembodied musical spirits from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, thus chose Odom eagerly when looking for host bodies to express themselves. New Orleans native/ bassist/ vocalist/ recovering archaeologist Odom shares the current possessÈe duties with San Franciscans Willy the Mailman and Marco Villalobos.

Sergio Iglesias and the Latin Love MACHINE: “Armed with a toilet plunger and a rotating band of musicians, Sergio Iglesias is here to ruin the party. Maybe you’ve seen Sergio Iglesias and Los Magnificos fill the Hemlock Tavern with a joyful, festive cacophony. Or caught Sergio Iglesias and Los Bulliciosos nearly destroy the City College of San Francisco campus. If you were lucky, you might’ve seen Iglesias with his signature plunger and a tape player perform solo in and outside the Civic Center, Powell, and Montgomery BART stations, wailing atop trash cans, plunging the ground, and bewildering tourists and locals alike. But even if you did see all these shows, you still never know what to expect except to be surprised.” –-Sarah Han - SF Bay Guardian

CALENDAR EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

EVENT FAST FACTS
• Event: The Brown Note Latin Rock Project in partnership with The Mission Creek Music and Arts Festival Presents: CONVERGENCE
• Venue: Balazo 18 Gallery – 2183 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
• Dates: Friday July 18, 2008 through Sunday July 20, 2008
• Times: Friday through Saturday: Doors 8pm Show 8:30pm
Sunday Matinee: Doors 4:00pm Show 4:30
• Convergence Festival Schedule:

• Tickets: $8-15
• Websites:
o Brown Note Latin Rock Project – www.myspace.com/brownnoterocks
o Mission Creek Music & Arts Festival – www.mcmf.org

Contact Info:

Ann Blankenship
Cell: 415-244-8250
Fax: 815-425-8910
E-mail: brownnoterock@earthlink.net

It’s an Eyewitness News exclusive. We have learned that country superstar Emilio was intoxicated at the time of his crash back in March.

Emilio Navaira has been in the hospital recovering since the Easter Sunday accident on the West Loop. And now, we’re taking a look at documents from the Bellaire Police Department, which describe what happened.

The beer cans at the scene of Emilio’s serious accident could have been an indication, but the police incident report obtained exclusively by Eyewitness News is confirmation.”*

During today’s broadcast of “El Gordo y La Flaca” (M-F, 4pm ET/PT, 3pm Central), the Univision Network announced the nominated artists for its 5th Annual “Premios Juventud” (Youth Awards); Spanish-language television’s trendiest and most unconventional awards show that honors the biggest names in Latin show business, fashion and sports. Chosen by young Hispanics who vote online through Univision.com (uniclave: Premios Juventud), the star-studded awards show will air on the Univision Network, LIVE from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami on Thursday, July 17, at 7pm ET/PT (6pm Central).

Recognizing renowned personalities from all corners of the entertainment industry, including Music, Film, Sports, Fashion, and Pop Culture, “Premios Juventud” will bestow awards in 27 unconventional categories specifically created to celebrate the preferences of today’s Hispanic youth. Leading the nominations are:

Music - Pop group sensation RBD leads the pack with 11 nominations in categories like “CD to Die For” and “Favorite Video;” followed by reggeatón’s super-star duo Wisin y Yandel, who garnered seven nominations from fans in such categories as “The Perfect Combo” and “Catchiest Tune.” Following their lead with six nominations each are award-winning group Camila (“Red-Hot Artist” and “Best Ballad” categories), and reggeatón king Daddy Yankee (“My Favorite Concert” and “Favorite Urban Artist”). Super stars Ricky Martin and Juanes, are nominated in five different categories, including, among others, “Best Moves” and “Favorite Rock Star,” respectively; while Spanish heartthrob Enrique Iglesias and newcomer Flex, took four nominations each in categories such as “Favorite Pop Star” and “Favorite Video,” respectively.

Film – Mexican actor Eduardo Verástegui took the lead in nominations, competing in the “Can He Act or What?” and “Favorite Flick” categories for his work as both actor and producer in the award-winning film “Bella.” Other performers nominated in the “Can He Act or What?” category include: Antonio Banderas (“Shrek the Third”), Fernando Colunga (“Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón”), Javier Bardem (“El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera” and “No Country for Old Men”), and Kuno Bécker (“Sex and Breakfast”). The leading ladies vying for the award in the “She Steals the Show” category are Jennifer López (“El Cantante”), Jessica Alba (“Awake,” “Good Luck Chuck,” “The Fantastic Four” and “The Eye”), Kate del Castillo (“Trade”), Penélope Cruz (“The Good Night”) and Roselyn Sánchez (“The Game Plan”). Movies nominated as this year’s “Favorite Flicks” include “El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera,” “Bella,” “El Cantante,” “Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón,” and “Mal de Amores.”

Along with her nomination as an actress, pop-culture icon Jennifer López was also nominated in five other categories including “She’s Got Style” and “Girl of My Dreams.”

Sports - Some of the most idolized athletes across the Americas face-off for this year’s sports awards, including baseball player Alex Rodríguez and soccer super stars Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa, Omar Bravo and Rafael Márquez, who were nominated in the “Most Electrifying Male Athlete” category. Competing as “Most Electrifying Female Athlete” are track and field medalist Ana Guevara, golfer Lorena Ochoa, soccer player Maribel Domínguez, racecar driver Milka Duno, and Peruvian surfer Sofía Mulanovich.

Starting today through May 29, 2008, fans can log onto Univsion.com (keyword: Premios Juventud) to vote for their favorite stars and choose this year’s winners. In addition, Univision.com will offer daily access to the latest news, behind-the-scenes videos, and nominee interviews & bios, as well as dedicated forums and exclusive chats with top performers which will be featured in the weeks leading up to the live broadcast.

In recognition of the spirit and voice of the Hispanic youth, Univision and “Premios Juventud” will honor their excellence by awarding several scholarships for academic, sport and musical achievement. Applications and additional information can be obtained at Univision.com (uniclave: Becas Juventud). The deadline to apply is May 23, 2008.

“PREMIOS JUVENTUD 2008” Complete List of Nominations

(Sorted Alphabetically)

Music:

La Combinación Perfecta (The Perfect Combo)

1. Alexis y Fido con Toby Love (“Soy Igual Que Tú”)

2. Miguelito y Divino (“Mochila de Amor”)

3. RBD con Jowell y Randy (“Inalcanzable”)

4. Wisin y Yandel con Franco de Vita (“Oye, ¿Dónde Está el Amor?”)

5. Wisin y Yandel con Nelly Furtado (“Sexy Movimiento”)

¡Qué Rico Que Se Mueve! (Best Moves)

1. Chayanne

2. Christopher Uckermann

3. Dulce María

4. Ricky Martin

5. Shakira

Voz del Momento (Red Hot Artist)

1. Aventura

2. Camila

3. Enrique Iglesias

4. RBD

5. Wisin y Yandel

La Más Pegajosa (Catchiest Tune)

1. “Empezar Desde Cero” – RBD

2. “Inalcanzable” – RBD

3. “Sexy Movimiento” – Wisin y Yandel con Nelly Furtado

4. “Te Quiero” – Flex

5. “Todo Cambió” – Camila

Me Muero Sin Ese CD (CD to Die For)

1. “El Cartel: The Big Boss” – Daddy Yankee

2. “Empezar Desde Cero” – RBD

3. “La Vida es un Ratico” – Juanes

4. “Los Extraterrestres”– Wisin y Yandel

5. “Todo Cambió” (Edición Especial) – Camila

Mi Concierto Favorito (My Favorite Concert)

1. Aventura (KOB Tour)

2. Daddy Yankee (The Big Boss Tour)

3. Juanes (La Vida es un Ratico Tour)

4. Maná (Amar es Combatir Tour)

5. RBD (Celestial / EDC Tour)

Canción Corta-Venas (Best Ballad)

1. “Donde Están Corazón” – Enrique Iglesias

2. “Inalcanzable” – RBD

3. “Sólo Para Ti” – Camila

4. “Te Quiero” – Flex

5. “Todo Cambió” – Camila

Mi Video Favorito (My Favorite Video)

1. “Empezar Desde Cero” – RBD

2. “Inalcanzable” – RBD

3. “Me Enamora” – Juanes

4. “Sexy Movimiento”– Wisin y Yandel

5. “Te Quiero” – Flex

Mi Artista Regional Mexicano Favorito (Favorite Regional Mexican Artist)

1. Alacranes Musical

2. Alejandro Fernández

3. Jenni Rivera

4. Pepe Aguilar

5. Vicente Fernández

Mi Artista Pop (Favorite Pop Star)

1. Belinda

2. Camila

3. Enrique Iglesias

4. RBD

5. Ricky Martin

Mi Artista Tropical (Favorite Tropical Artist)

1. Aventura

2. Juan Luis Guerra

3. Marc Anthony

4. Olga Tañón

5. Víctor Manuelle

Mi Artista Urbano (Favorite Urban Artist)

1. Daddy Yankee

2. Don Omar

3. Flex

4. Ivy Queen

5. Wisin y Yandel

Mi Artista Rock (Favorite Rock Star)

1. Alejandra Guzmán

2. Belinda

3. Black Guayaba

4. Juanes

5. Maná

Film:

¡Qué Actorazo! (Can He Act or What?)

1. Antonio Banderas (“Shrek the Third”)

2. Eduardo Verástegui (“Bella”)

3. Fernando Colunga (“Ladrón Que Roba A Ladrón”)

4. Javier Bardem (“El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera” and “No Country for Old Men”)

5. Kuno Becker (“Sex and Breakfast”)

Actriz Que se Roba la Pantalla (She Steals the Show)

1. Jennifer López (“El Cantante”)

2. Jessica Alba (“Awake,” “Good Luck Chuck,” “Los Cuatro Fantásticos,” “The Eye”)

3. Kate del Castillo (“Trade”)

4. Penélope Cruz (“The Good Night”)

5. Roselyn Sánchez (“The Game Plan”)

Película Más Padre (Favorite Flick)

1. “El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera”

2. “Bella”

3. “El Cantante”

4. “Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón”

5. “Mal de Amores”

Sports:

El Deportista de Alto Voltaje (Most Electrifying Male Athlete)

1. Alex Rodríguez – Los Yankees de Nueva York

2. Cuauhtémoc Blanco - Chicago Fire

3. Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa – Las Águilas del América

4. Omar Bravo – Las Chivas de Guadalajara

5. Rafael Márquez – FC Barcelona

La Deportista de Alta Tensión (Most Electrifying Female Athlete)

1. Ana Guevara – Atletismo

2. Lorena Ochoa – Golf

3. Maribel Domínguez – Fútbol

4. Milka Duno – Automovilismo

5. Sofía Mulanovich – Surf

Me Pongo la Camiseta de… (I’m a Die Hard Fan of…)

1. Cruz Azul

2. Las Águilas del América

3. Las Chivas de Guadalajara

4. Los Yankees de Nueva York

5. Selección Mexicana de Fútbol

La Nueva Promesa (Promising New Player)

1. Alexandre Pato – AC Milán (Italia)

2. César Villaluz – Cruz Azul

3. Luis Ernesto Michel – Las Chivas de Guadalajara

4. Sergio Ávila “El Gaucho” – Las Chivas de Guadalajara

5. Robinson Cano – Los Yankees de Nueva York

Fashion and Style:

Quiero Vestir Como Ella (She’s Got Style)

1. Alejandra Espinoza

2. Anahí

3. Dayanara Torres

4. Dulce María

5. Jennifer López

El de Mejor Estilo (He’s Got Style)

1. Alfonso Herrera

2. Anthony “Romeo” Santos

3. Christopher Uckermann

4. Daddy Yankee

5. Ricky Martin

¡Está Buenísimo! (What a Hottie!)

1. Alfonso Herrera

2. Christopher Uckermann

3. Daddy Yankee

4. Enrique Iglesias

5. Ricky Martin

Chica Que Me Quita el Sueño (Girl of My Dreams)

1. Alejandra Espinoza

2. Anahí

3. Dulce María

4. Jennifer López

5. Maite Perroni

Pop Culture:

Mi Ídolo Es… (My Idol Is…)

1. Anahí

2. Daddy Yankee

3. Dulce María

4. Juanes

5. Ricky Martin

Tórridos Romances (Torrid Affairs)

1. Araceli Arámbula y Luis Miguel

2. Camila Sodi y Diego Luna

3. Jackie Guerrido y Don Omar

4. Jennifer López y Marc Anthony

5. Kate del Castillo y Aarón Díaz

En la Mira del Paparazzi (Paparazzi’s Favorite Target)

1. Jennifer López

2. Jennifer López y Marc Anthony

3. Luis Miguel

4. Niurka Marcos

5. RBD

“*