“Thanks for risking your lives tonight. . . during the middle of the end of the world.” – Guillermo Azpeitia, vocalist/keys, jokes with the crowd.
Mala Nota kept it lively and fun last weekend at Flamingo Cantina and ushered in the beginning of Daylight Savings time with their upbeat big banda sound. The contemporary Latin rock band based out of Austin, Texas brought fans out onto the dance floor as soon as they took the stage.
Mala Nota currently consists of:
Priscilla Gutierrez – Vocals
Guillermo Azpeitia – Vocals/keys
Leo Ramirez – Guitar
Josh Kavanaugh – Guitar
Ralph Manak- Bass
Miguel Gilly – Drums
Marc Sustaita – Trumpet
Sam Irvine – Trombone
What started out as a sparsely filled room earlier in the evening suddenly began to fill up with one of their most energetic anthems, “Sucia Ley”. A tune that really showcases Mala Nota’s socially conscious lyrics, Leo Ramirez’s guitar chops, and Guillermo Azpeitia’s blunt and heavy rapping vocals. While it starts out with a 70’s vibe almost reminiscent of the Shaft TV show Intro riffs, it quickly changes up and becomes a catchy dance-able powerhouse. But do not let the vibes and tune fool you, the lyrics are anything but laid back. Those that speak Spanish will quickly realize the lyrics critique the violence, drug wars, and systemic abuses of a government that allows “dirty laws” and corruption to reign over the people.
It would make sense that their viewpoint is such, given that many members of the band hail from areas around the Mexico and U.S. borders. They have seen this divisiveness and destruction firsthand. What is particularly wonderful about this band is the movement towards cultural consciousness in both their melodic hybrid of styles and their bilingual lyrics and performances.
Azpeitia is also quick to share (in between songs) little moments with the audience – noting that we should expect more from our leaders both north and south of border. We are more alike than different in so many ways and human rights should take precedent moving forward.
Mala Nota is not all politics though, they know how to write love songs or rather, songs of longing and loves lost. They pull on those heart strings with pieces like “Te Sigo Buscando” and “I Saw Your Picture”.
Josh Kavanaugh’s amazing Spanish-style soloing on “Te Sigo Buscando” had the crowd in awe while Miguel Gilly’s drums broke it down and had the crowd clapping in unison until the finish. While vocalist Priscilla Gutierrez carries the ballads like “I Saw Your Picture” well in English, it is her Spanish vocals interspersed on tracks alongside Azpeitia that truly mesmerize and have a deeper more sultry sound.
Nevertheless, Mala Nota will not let the audience dwell for too long in that heart/head space. Manak’s funky bass lines and the brass section’s melodic banter nudge the listener out of the broken heart’s club and once again hips sway and feet play.
The band kicked it back up and finished their set with high energy favorites like “Pachuco”, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs’ “Matador” (Gutierrez shines on this one!) and then they snubbed their noses at the establishment with “Por Que No Te Callas?”.
In a world full of hand sanitizer shortages, face masks that only protect the sick, and governments that spend more time pontificating than taking action – Mala Nota is definitely worth the risk and will provide music as long as venues are open to the public!
Catch their next show at Spider House Cafe & Ballroom on Monday – March 16th at the 3rd Annual Yerba Buena Showcase.
Be sure to follow, like, and listen for more:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/malanotamusic
IG: @malanotaatx
violetflamepress 