Baba Zula
Born in Istanbul in 1996, BaBa ZuLa features founding members Levent Akman (spoons, percussions, machines, toys), Murat Ertel (electric saz and other instruments, vocals, oscillators, theremin), as well as darbuka and percussion player Özgür Çakırlar, bass player Can Aydemir and Melike Şahin on vocals.
The band goes to great lengths to provide their fans with a unique live show experience. Their ritualistic performances are a mixture of disciplines, often featuring belly dancers, elaborate costumes, poetry, theatre and live drawing to deliver viewers a tantalizing audiovisual feast.
By mixing oriental instruments such as the darbuka, electric saz, and spoons with electronics and modern sounds, BaBa ZuLa creates a sound all their own called “Istanbul Psychedelia”. While a ney can represent the past Sufi-Islamic tradition, and a clarinet can symbolize Turkish gypsies, an electric saz along with a wooden spoon can serve as a musical compass to Turkish musical roots going as far back as pre-Islamic, shamanic times. And through Anatolia, their music reaches all the way up to present-day Istanbul.
They are the unrivalled masters of 21st century Turkish psychedelic music. BaBa ZuLa share their legacy through music born out of Istanbul and influenced by the memories passed on to them from generations past. The group, which from the very beginning has been accompanied by stars such as the Canadian singer Brenna MacCrimmon (specialized in Balkan folk music), Alexander Hacke (Einstürzende Neubauten), Dr. Das (Asian Dub Foundation), Hüsnü Şenlendirici (Clarinet player), William Macbeth (Bassist), Ralph Carney (saxophonist who worked with Tom Waits) and the diva Semiha Berksoy, renowned Turkish opera singer and painter.
BaBa ZuLa’s debut album, Tabutta Rövaşata (Sommersault in the Coffin) re-released by Kadraj, includes the original music score for Derviş Zaim’s first movie of the same name. Their second album, 17 pieces from 3 plays, released in 1999, comprises music created for the plays The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry; Frog Tales by Arnold Lobel; and Kitchen Accidents, by Perihan Mağden.
Psychebelly Dance Music, released in 2003, was mixed and mastered by Mad Professor who previously worked with Massive Attack, Lee Perry and the like; Duble Oryantal; and Roots, returning to their original format as a trio. Traditional Turkish influences on the album include works by important composers and lyricists, such as Neşet Ertaş and Pir Sultan Abdal, as well as analog recording techniques courtesy of Turkish engineer Mehmed Ateş.
Baba ZuLa have composed several mood-setting pieces for the silver screen over the years. The band appeared in the Golden Bear award winning ‘Crossing the Bridge’, from director Fatih Akın; and Renkli Türkçe (Colored and in Turkish), directed by Ahmet Çadirci. They have also turned up the volume and energy levels at music and film festivals such as the Sofia Film Festival (Bulgaria), Berlinale and Cologne Triennale (Germany), Printemps de Bourges (France), and the Venice Biennial (Italy), among many others.
Rebel Cats
The Rebel Cats are a Rockabilly band – a sub-genre of rock n’ roll which originated in the 50’s. The band is made up of Vincent Van Rock (lead quitar, harmonica and chorus), Vince Monster (Lead Vocal and Drums) Lalobilly (Bass and chorus) and Chucho Tormenta (keyboards). The group came together in Mexico City back in 2005. Their latest reléase i Rebel Cats & sus amigos , which follows their previous albums Diversión, Esto es Rockabilly, and Rebel Cats.
Among their influences they mention classic names such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ritchie Valens, Paul Anka, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Roy Orbison, Cliff Richard, Carl Perkins, Budy Holly, Wanda Jackson and Ricky Nelson.
The band’s particular style has earned them a solid fan base, and their continued success has allowed them to participate in the Vive Latino Music Festival for three years in a row, including 2014. They have also performed in other important venues, such as the National Auditorium’s ‘lunario’, the ‘Rock al parque’ festival in Colombia, and the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.
In 2015, Rebel Cats will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a tour across Mexico, the USA and Central America.
Sonido Gallo Negro
Música Psicotropical
Sonido Gallo Negro is a Mexican group out of Aragón, right in the heart of the Valley of Mexico’s Metropolitan área. Their distinctive style revives Peruvian ‘cumbia’ rhythms from the sixties and combines them with electric guitars, Farfisa organs and Theremins. These proponents of psychodelia bring life into their wild beats as they reléase the Amazonic cumbias, Peruvian huayno, the Boogalooo and the chicha.
The band’s project cultivates and grows these genres, combining them into their own exotic and personal version that of the genre, supported live by interesting visuals created by Dr. Aderete, who fabricates hypnotic illustrations in real time during performances, helping to alter the audience’s senses and forcing them to dance till they drop.
Their first album, Cumbia Salvaje (Grabaciones Alicia, 2011) was re-released on vinyl towards the end of 2012, including two previously unreleased tracks. Their second album, Sendero Místico, continues down the path marked out by Amazonic Cumbia and into instrumental Rumba, following in the footsteps of Masters like Jaime Llano, Tulio Enrique León and Eduardo Zurita.
Despite their youth the group have been invited to the 2012 Kürstendorf Festival in Drvengrad, Serbia. They have also performed at the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City; the National Center for the Arts, the Carrillo Gil Art Museum and the Anthropological and History Museum in Mexico City.
JULIA VARI
Highlighted by his extraordinary interpretative quality, elegance, and charisma, Julia Vari is one of the most influential figures of Mexican and international jazz scene.
MARISA MUR
Marissa Mur creates with great authenticity and freshness an endearing sound through her pop/folk style. Her voice is a switch that turns on her whole personality and moves all audiences.
CONCIERTO RALLY
From the 48-Hour Collegiate Rally’s, 9 shorts 9 bands program, three emerging groups will make the scene vibrate: Apolo, Belafonte Sensacional and Sotomayor.
BANDA SANTIAGO APOSTOL
La Arrasadora Banda Santiago Apóstol, originally from Santiago de Cuenda Guanajuato, palyed the most representative of the band, corridos, rancheras and sones genre.