La Vida Yaya

Here is where you can find my music-related posts. Enjoy! Quetzal at LACMA. Photo by Abel Gutierrez. Rocio Friday, June 8, 2012 Melena Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Entre Mujeres   Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Return of the Conga Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Aztlan Underground's new song and video "Our Nature" Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Bang Data - La Sopa   Thursday, March 15, 2012 Native American Music Awards   Thursday, October 7, 2010 Quetzal   Sunday, July 11, 2010 Aztlan Underground's New Album   Friday, June 11, 2010 Francisco Aguabella Friday, May 14, 2010 Ozomatli Day - City of LA   Friday, April 23, 2010 Rene Camacho- Bassist   Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Latin Beat Magazine   Monday, September 14, 2009

Our Nature by Joe Galarza of AUG The Aztlan Underground boys are back with a new single and some advice for those of you feeling a bit suppressed. Their new single called Our Nature is about the beauty of spring, rebirth, reproduction, and our very own natural calling to procreate. It is being released on March 20, 2012, the Spring Equinox. “Society often dictates that sexuality and procreation are to be narrowly addressed in the confines of certain people’s belief systems, but we feel that does not and should not apply to everyone,” said lead vocalist Yaotl. “Those of us that walk in the natural, Indigenous spirit world understand that the act of reproduction should be celebrated, honored, and enjoyed.” The retro/gothic sound of the new single takes the band in a fresh and intriguing musical direction while keeping true to the original Aztlan Underground sound. The dark tones in the single seek to juxtapose the darkness and negativity associated with the natural occurrence of s...

November is Native American Heritage Month and what better way to appreciate a culture, or cultures rather, than through my favorite medium, MUSIC! The Native American Music Awards are tallying votes now in over 30 categories and it's open to the public.  Check out www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com for an introduction to some of the best Native American artists of today. The eclectic categories may surprise you such as rock, country, gospel, blues, and hip-hop. I'm rooting for our local homeboys Aztlan Underground who have been nominated in 4 categories: rock, group, world, and spoken word. These guys certainly deserve the recognition having been around for over 20 years working for free, bartering for corn, and the occasional bread. Click on the NAMA link and leave the home page open to hear a mix of the artists nominated. You're bound to hear more than a few songs that stir your soul. Most of these artists are independent, pouring their time, money, sweat, and tears t...

A Lyrical Quest for Unity Among Indigenous Peoples Aztlan Underground announces the launch of their third independent, self-titled album Aztlan Underground (2009); and up-coming "We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges" Tour, inspired by the recent political distress in the southwestern state of Arizona. "The reality is that the earth is too small to ignore our interdependence and interconnection as a human family. To ignore this fact is to uphold archaic notions of superiority of one group of people over another," said lead vocalist Yaotl. The band is rehearsing and preparing for several important dates including an anti-drugs educational and music workshop for the Nuu chah nulth Nation in Canada in July. Reaching out to underprivileged Native youth is a priority for the band members who themselves faced many of the same struggles growing up around violence and poverty. “It’s about the language of expressing what we see in one another, helping give voice to the...

Aztlan Underground releases their self-titled album available on itunes, etc. Watch their new video here. Check out the flyer here.