At this year’s Coachella (one of the country’s largest musical festivals alongside Lollapalooza, Vegoose, and Street Scene) three Mexican bands will be representing Latin rock. Year after year, Coachella surprises the public with their edginess and the way they line-up choices. Not only do they choose bands and artists that have something different and unique to offer, but the selection is also known for its excellent quality.
We had the chance to speak with Oiram, Austin TV guitarrist, as well as with Juan Pablo “El Niño” Vásquez, Fernando de la Huerta and Bacter, the drummer, guitarist and bassist, respectively, from Porter. Each told us about the importance of Mexican rock in this year’s Coachella, whose current line-up consists of Kraftwert, The Raconteurs, Portishead, Roger Waters and most recently: Prince. By the way, as a last minute notice we were just informed that Café Tacvba will be playing at the main stage just before Prince, as Manu Chao did before Rage Against The Machine. (We’re sorry for those of you who love Café Tacuba and Portishead… you’re gonna be so pissed)
The Challenge
Oiram: This is probably the most important show we’ve ever had since the people that go to this festival are very musically open minded people- they listen to literally everything. These people are hungry for new sounds and are very appreciative of this, -that’s why I know we can do a good job in the US.
Shattah: It’s definitely a challenge for us to improve our live shows and start putting ourselves out there in the foreign market.
Bacter: I personally believe that this is crucial since we can introduce our music to people that have never heard of us.
Fernando: We’re thrilled just by the fact that we were considered to be part of this.
Who to see at Coachella 2008
Oiram: Death cab for cutie, Battles, Rilo Kiley, Minus the bear, Portishead, etc. Shattah Roger Waters, Hot Chip, Mum, Architecture in Helsinki, Aphex Twin, Portishead, M.I.A., Kraftwerk.
Fernando: Mum, Architecture in Helsinki, Prince, Roger Waters, Cafe Tacuba, Austin T.V., Portishead, Kraftwerk, Aphex Twin, My Morning Jacket, Justice, Hot Chip, M.I.A., among others.
Bacter: Everyone, too bad it’s not posible. MexiCoachella Fernando It just tells us that the audience in the United States is reacting to what’s musically going on in Mexico. That’s extremely important to all the Mexican bands.
Oiram: That’s why it’s so important, because we’re representing Rock Latino and what better way to do it than with three bands with totally different styles, with different things to offer but great quality nonetheless. Not only that, but we also represent two different generations. Being part of this is such a great honor. We know how important this is, not only for us, but for the art in general. We believe we’re representing Mexico, its people and its music.
Bacter: It’s important to have three Mexican bands for the first time. This will open many doors for Mexican bands to come, just like Café Tacaba did for Austin TV and us.
Partners in crime
Oiram: Both of them are great bands. On one hand you have Café Tacvba which is a band we all admire and respect. Not only that but Meme produced our latest album “Fontana Bella”. Working with him helped us develop a great friendship. On the other hand Porter are great friends and buddies. In a way they’re like our classmates.
Shattah: They’re great bands we admire and we have the opportunity to be friends with.
Fernando: They’re both great examples to follow with great music and awesome concepts.
Bacter: I simply admire them
Language… Pros or cons?
Shattah: It’s hard to tell because Café Tacuba doesn’t have lyrics in English and Austin TV doesn’t use lyrics period and yet they’re gonna be performing at this year’s festival just like us.
Oiram: Perhaps that’s in the future plans for us, since we don’t have language issues, we can go wherever we want to as long as there are people out there willing to give us a try and listen to our stuff.
The Coachella Experience
Oiram: I’ve been at the festival before and I had an amazing experience. Hanging out with your friends, listening to some good music and enjoying such a beautiful place like the Coachella Valley is a unique experience.
Fernando: Juan Carlos, Juan Pablo and I have gone to the festival, it was quite a pleasant experience. Very tiring with tons of sun, but the atmosphere was great and worth it all.
Shattah: Juan P. “El Niño” Vásquez was born early in the morning on November 3, 1983. After a few years of being in and out of different schools he decides to go to the Coachella Festival in 2006. It was there that this kid got to listent bands like Phoenix, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, Depeche Mode, Daft Punk, among others. Violently happy, he arrives at his native city Guadalajara and decides to brag about it to all his friends. Oh! And his brother Fer broke his right foot and now he walks funky .
As of today, these are the following confirmed artists: 
Roger Waters- Jack Johnson- Portishead – Kraftwerk – The Verve- The Raconteurs – Death Cab for Cutie -Love and Rockets -My Morning Jacket -Aphex Twin -The Breeders -Justice -Café Tacvba -Fatboy Slim -Spiritualized -Tegan and Sara -Goldfrapp -Serj Tankian -The Swell Season -Sasha & John Digweed -Gogol Bordello- Rilo Kiley -Chromeo -Dwight Yoakam -M.I.A. -the National Metric -Hot Chip -Cold War Kids -Animal Collective -Kate Nash -Mœm -Slighty Stoopid -Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks -Above & Beyond -Danny Tenaglia -Pendulum -DeVotchKa -Booka Shade -Simian Mobile Disco -Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings -Murs -Stars -Flogging Molly -Mark Ronson -Redd Kross -Dimitri from Paris -Battles -Autolux -Aesop Rock the Field -Les Savy Fav -Scars on Broadway -Linton Kwesi Johnson-Midnight Juggernauts -Islands -The Cool Kids -Does it Offend You, Yeah? -Enter Shikari Sons & Daughters -Minus the Bear -Sia -Calvin Harris -Holy F*ck -Spank Rock -dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip -Boys Noize -Black Kids -Diplo -Junkie XL -Black Mountain -Adam Freeland -Annuals -Cinematic Orchestra -Santogold Jens Lekman -Kid Sister with A-Trak -the Teenagers -John Butler Trio -Duffy -I’m From Barcelona -Vampire Weekend -VHS or Beta -Deadmau5 -Carbon/Silicon – Manchester Orchestra -Dan Deacon- Erol Alkan -Architecture in Helsinki -Man Man -Sandra Collins -Yo! Majesty -AUSTIN TV -Busy P -Little Brother -Cut Copy -Shout Out Louds -Bonde Do Role -Plastiscines -Black Lips -St. Vincent -Brett Dennen -Datarock -Akron/Family -MGMT -Professor Murder -Surkin -Para One -Orgasmic Curses -James Zabiela -the Bees -SebastiAn -Kavinsky -Porter -Rogue Wave Dredg -the Bird and the Bee -Yoav -Modeselektor -Grand Ole Party -120 Days -American Bang -Luckyiam -Electric Touch -Yelle -Uffie featuring DJ Mehdi -Lucent Dossier -Do LaB.
