It all began as it usually does, with a guy and his guitar. Except that in this case, the guitar is replaced by a piano. It’s the story of Juan Manuel Torreblanca. In solidarity, the young musician walked endlessly throughout Mexico City before realizing that his one-man stunt was in need of some companionship. Enter indie sensation Andrea Balency on accordion and synth, “Abuelo” (“Grandpa”) on bass, Jerson on drums and El tío (“The Uncle”) on backup vocals. The quintet soon performed under the band name “Torreblanca”, delivering a peculiar pop-alternative sound that would be made immortal with their first EP, Defensa.
That was 2010. Now and with the help of musician friend Quique Rangel of Café Tacvba, this independent, Mexican rock band is able to release Bella Época, their first full length album, come late September. The album consists of eleven tracks recorded in Rangel’s personal studio, whom according to Juan Manuel, was attentive to the production of the album and encouraged him to lay out a few bare vocals, as well as experiment with his vocal range.
Although some of the lyrics of Bella Época speak of the band’s frustration with the current violent state of Mexico, Juan Manuel assures that they are far from a political band and that their place is in making music, not settling political debates. However, “Lobo”, the first single from the upcoming release, can be understood as a struggle against social norms. “I grew up and became the same as everyone else. But inside me was an instinct…I thought I was well but I felt a thirst to look at the moon and mutate…” are the lyrics that drive this first single.
And although the group is no rookie to musical stages in California (they’ve performed in San Francisco and Santa Ana opening for Rubén Albarrans’ 2010 Hoppo tour), they are new to the Visionary Sounds Music Festival taking place Saturday, August 20th. The musical showcase brings Latin alternative acts from the United States, Mexico and Latin America to one main stage at one of Los Angeles’ hipster venues. This year’s second VS Festival will take place at The Echoplex, and will showcase Torreblanca, as well as L.A.’s Upground, Monterrey’s Niña Dioz, Tijuana’s Orlando and the Shantelles, Austin’s Master Blaster, and Torreblanca’s own Andrea Balency doing her solo thang.
To catch Torreblanca at Visionary Sounds Music Festival and for the full list of participating artist, visit our friends over at Mucho Events.
Meanwhile, enjoy this appetizing and peek into the recording session for Torreblanca’s “Lobo”.
