www.cafemagazine.com/music

This past week I was invited by Cafe Magazine to visit New York CIty and join their team to introduce and promote their newest section, Café Con Música, at the 11th annual Latin Alternative Music Conference(LAMC).

I boarded a plane traveling from San Diego to New York, unsure of what I would ultimately encounter. It was my first trip to New York City, and was also my first time attending the LAMC, so you could imagine, everything was just so new to me.

I arrived, and headed over to Manhattan, meeting up with a friend who is studying at Columbia University, where I would be staying for the remainder of my trip.

The conference began and from the start people in line waiting to register began sharing their carefully thought out “soundbytes” and before you knew it conference attendees began to exchange information, demos and ideas about collaborating.

Ironically, within the first five minutes of having registered, I met a young graphic designer, producer and DJ, Andres Obregozo, who came all the way from Toronto, Canada to experience the LAMC for the first time.

We talked over the Spain vs Germany world cup semifinal in the Roosevelt Hotel’s lobby, and he mentioned his long bus ride from Toronto to New  York City. When he arrived he took the subway to the hotel to only receive an unpleasant surprise. The shocking news was that the front desk attendees couldn’t find his badge or any sort of registration confirmation.

Andres Dj. From Toronto to New York City.

After a few stressful minutes, that seemed like an eternity to Andres, LAMC staff were able to find his badge and hand him his bag of LAMC goodies. He was finally at ease and able to dig into his bag. Thats what we all came for anyway, right?

A few minutes later  as I walked back to the main lobby and pass the registration booths and I bump into a fella who seemed to be very excited he finally received his LAMC badge. A character to say the least, Manuel Izquierdo of Puerto Rican band, Habitat, was ready for a week of latin alternative.

We met and spoke about coming to NYC. He told me about the island and the story of his band. They were excited of coming to the LAMC in New York City since they just released their album, Cenizas, and were here to promote and do some important networking. I knew this guy was trouble from the beginning, and had to ask  him what he played in the band. No surprise, the Man was Habitat’s drummer. Go Figure.

As we chatt and exchanged info, I introduced him to Jenn, another Café team member and for the remainder of the conference, he would call her “La Jefa!” At this point we noticed that we were being photographed and Manuel turns to greet the photographer in his Boricua lingo: “Coño, como estas!”

Turns out the photographer, Karlo X. Ramos, also Boricua, actually knew the Habitat boys, and actually directed a few of their music videos. Karlo introduced himself, and let us know that he wasn’t a creepy guy taking pictures of young boys, but was actually the official LAMC photographer. Karlo is a really talented photographer, and extremely professional. Well at least he carries himself that way. I haven’t seen any of his pictures, but hey, he bought me a beer, so hire him!

www.karloxramos.com

Karlo is the man, straight from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, same city where Habitat is from. You most definitely need to hire Karlo for your next event. He specializes in all sorts of media. This is what he says about himself:

Opiniao Publica @ Lamc 2010

Azucar Rocked Their LA Debut!

Azucar Rocks Their LA Debut!

Azucar Prepares to Record Their First Production This Summer.

San Diego based electro-cumbia-funkadelic-sabrosura band, Azucar, invited us to experience their rehearsal as they prepared to hit the road early the following day. Destination: The City of Angeles. Yes, Azucar was getting ready to make their Hollywood debut and spread their contagious sabrosura and all their thunderous cumbia rolillas to one of LA’s finest crowds: The Mucho Wednesdays Crew at La Cita!

The one month old band has been putting off recording sessions since their 5 de Mayo debut in San Diego. Apart from all the crazy hangovers, the calls, inquires, and gigs haven’t stopped coming in, and it all started in a small bar in San Diego, where they debuted their first original cumbias and connected with their inner paisa.

The songs they once hated to dance at quinceañeras have now become their anthems, and they have learned to fully embrace their inner albañil and rock those norteño boots and belts, greasy mullets, and of course the macho Pancho Villa mustaches, in a way that only a member of Azucar could pull off.

Let me tell you that they’re not stopping here. There is no stopping Azucar, they’re too sweet to stop, too sexy to contain, too paisa to fight, too drunk to dance, too horny to wait!  Whether you like it or not, Azucar is coming, and they’re coming fast, real fast, all over your screens.

See for yourselves!

Azucar @ Rehearsal : The Chiquitita Popurri!

In an effort to fight global poverty, graphic designers from all around the world come together in a friendly competition to raise awareness of the social epidemic. Through various posters, designers like Mimi Guarnero of Tijuana, Mexico, speak out against  the harsh social inequalities  and injustices our society faces.

The international poster competition is a global call to action on behalf of concerned artists, and designers who hope that we will do our part by getting the message across.  For More information: www.posterdesigncontest.org

DESIGN VS POVERTY : Miimii Guarnero

Don’t Be Indifferent. Poverty Is A Reality.

Unless We Change Our Behavior, This will Soon Be a Reality.

Cuarteto de Nos – Bipolar

Latin Media Gurus: Cancion del día.

Aqui esta algo que nos encantó aqui en LMG! Un grupo procedente de Uruguay, llamado Cuarteto de Nos.

Un grupazo con una buena propuesta de rock! El productor de este proyecto es el mismísimo Juan Compodónico, uno de los cuantos miembros del grupo de electro tango, Bajofondo. Además, este video es de otro nivel! Que bárbaros!

Asi que escuchen, y disfruten de esta muy buena cancion.

Great song and video! “El Hijo de Hernandez” by Cuarteto de Nos. They are from Uruguay and their album is produced by Juan Campodónico (that’s right, one of the members of Bajofondo). Let me know what you think.

By the way, this video is absolutely genius!

Cuarteto de Nos – Video de El Hijo de Hernandez

David Estrada Is Drafted Into the MLS

By Efraín Cruz, Latin Media Gurus Contributor

Hello fellow LMG followers, I had the great opportunity of speaking with four-year UCLA soccer player David Estrada who was just drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft with the 11^th pick overall to the Seattle Sounders FC.

David was born in Morelia, Michoacán and raised in the agricultural community of Salinas, California. Having walked on to UCLA his freshman year, he surprised everyone becoming Soccer America’s freshman of the year.

Now four years later he has the opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing professionally. I caught up with David during this very special moment for him and his family.

Interview with David Estrada

Latin Media Gurus Exclusive

E: First of all congratulation on being selected in the MLS draft! What was your initial reaction upon you hearing your name?

D: Thank you. It was a huge surprise and did not expect it at all. When I heard my name announced I honestly lost my mind and ran out of my house and screamed my lungs out, then called my cousin Jazz who lives in L.A. to share the moment.

E: What were your expectations going into this draft? Was entering the MLS Draft always your plan?

D: I expected to go early 3th or 4th and it never really crossed my mind that I would be chosen in the first. I decided I would give it my all when I heard I was going to be invited to a couple of combines and especially the MLS combine.

E: Tell me about your family, they must have been really excited! What does this mean for your family?

D: I have an amazing family that has always been supportive of what I’ve done in soccer from high school to UCLA and now this new chapter in my soccer career. They were all really proud of me and it’s because of their support that I believe I have come this far. Jazz Rodriguez is a cousin from LA who had never stop believing in me and he is a big reason of why I have come this far.

E: Growing up in Salinas, CA was playing futbol professionally always your goal?

D: Since very young soccer was something I wanted to continue doing as long as I could. I never thought I would have played at UCLA until my sophomore year (in high school) when my cousin told me he believed I had what it took to play in Division 1. During my college years he always pushed me and said I could make it. This kind of support and the hard worked paid off and I am glad I can continue playing soccer at a professional level; the money is the last of my concerns. I come from Salinas, CA an Agricultural area and I am proud of where I come from. It’s not the safest and especially the section where I am from, East Salinas, but I love it the same.

E: You’ve already faced a few obstacles, basically walking on to UCLA to being named Soccer America Freshman of the Year and then injuring your foot the next year, what have these challenges taught you as you go into the next level?

D: These have been obstacles that have made me become mature. My mental toughness is another thing that has changed and showed this past year. All these challenges where tough to overcome these past four years and I consider them beneficial to my development as a soccer player and person. I know how hard I must work and I will continue to do the same in this new chapter of my life.

E: You’re going to the Seattle Sounders who have Freddie Ljungberg, former Arsenal player and Swedish international, how does it feel to have the opportunity to train with a player of such a background?

D: I am just excited of the opportunity to play next to players like him, who have played at the highest level and hopefully can feed of his game.

E: Obviously there is a long road ahead, but what is your ultimate dream playing soccer?

D: My ultimate dream is to say I played professionally. It does not matter where but I would like to play for as long as I can. This is a great opportunity, but like you said I still have a long road ahead of me.

E: Any message for the young kids, particularly the young Latino kids out there who dream of achieving such a goal?

D: I would say to have fun and if they’re serious about pursuing something in soccer to always work hard and never let anyone tell them that they can’t do something. Always be humble.

E: That’s a great message David and just one last question out of curiosity, what was the team you rooted for growing up?

D: Cruz Azul, my man.

E: No más tienen que dejar de ser los subcampeones de México, hopefully they win the title soon.

D: Yeah man, this year for sure (laughs).

E: Thanks a lot for your time, I appreciate it a lot and the best of luck in Seattle y échale ganas!

D: Alright man, no problem. Thank you and hope all is well in LA.

David Estrada Flashes His Futból Skills

Bazuca Magazine

Polo y su banda

Being the first pocket size magazine to hi the Latino market since 2004, now Bazuca is online being pro-active about the scene, covering every important event in the areas of music, film and culture. Bazuca’s content is aimed at targeting latinos between the ages of 18 and over, and has done so successfully through the past few years.

Bazuca is definately a pioneer in the Latin Alternative niche, and has always provided an excellent coverage of artists and events. More importantly, each time you visit their site, theres something new and exciting to read, so I highly suggest you take a visit today.

Polo and company, great job! We’ll continue to follow your posts and events! You guys are definitely Latin Media Gurus!!

www.bazucamagazine.com

Be sure to add Bazuca on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BazucaMagazinecom/423473985690

Natalia LaFourcade En Vivo

Bazuca and The Conga Room Present

Univision Special

In efforts to aid Haiti in the aftermath of the horrendous earthquake, Univision will air a special edition of Sabado Gigante hosted by Don Francisco on Jan. 23rd Entitled Unidos por Haití (United for Haiti), in hopes to raise funds for the relief efforts to aid the devestated nation.

All of the company’s resources will be leveraged for this special program and will include Univision, TeleFutura and Galavisión personalities who will join Don Francisco in support of this fund-raising effort along with many well-known artists to be announced shortly.

“Our hearts go out to the Haitian people,” said Don Francisco. “Haiti is in desperate need of our help and our hope is that through this special program we are able to reach out to as many people as possible who want to bring much needed relief to the ravaged country”.- Don Francisco

Haiti Earthquake

Nacional Records: Conquering The Digital Domain

Innovative and Original

I recently came across the Nacional Records commercials, and I was very eager to share it with all of you.  As many of you already know, the industry has changed so much.

The way people are getting their music has affected the way people make, distribute, release, and market their music to the world. The digital domain is taking over and I’m very interested in seeing where things will turn out. Labels are crumbling, contracts are shifting into different directions and budgets are not what they once were.

In the midst of all the chaos, and commotion, there is one label that has managed to evolve with the times and use new creative and innovative ways to market and distribute their new music to fans. This Latin Alternative label is slowly becoming a model for how things will operate in the new digital era.

Nacional Records is the record label under Cookman International, a multi-faceted company that specializes in expanding the reach of Latin music and culture through artist management, special event marketing, the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) and the Latino Loop (a weekly industry newsletter emailed to over 100,000 Latin@ tastemakers).

Their music has appeared in many top movies and TV shows including Fast Food Nation, Entourage, CSI Miami and Ugly Betty. Most impressive however, is the fact that the label has the highest percentage digital sales out of any Latin record label in the market with over 10 #1 albums launched at iTunes Latino and over 15 #1 albums launched at emusic.

Keep an eye out for these guys because they’re adapting with modern times and getting results they need.

Visit www.nacionalrecords.com for more info!

Nacional Records TV Commercials

With over 20 years of martial arts training, Sensei Guillermo Gomez holds a 3rd degree black belt in Aikido by Hombu Dojo (Tokyo, Japan), and has trained in numerous places around the globe, including China’s legendary Shaolin Temple.

Sensei Guillermo Gomez is the creator of Martial Fusion, a complete training system for the development and integration of body, mind and spirit. Based in Miami, Florida, he teaches numerous high profile clients, including police departments, private companies, and corporate groups and has taught at industry conventions worldwide. A featured consultant and industry expert, he has appeared on several television shows and in national publications including Univision, Telemundo, CNN, Fitness, and Balance Magazine.

Latin Media Gurus: Ten Questions

Sensei Guillermo Gomez

1. When did you develop a fascination with being fit, both mentally and physically? From Where did that evolve?

The fascination started with martial arts when I was 10 years old. There was something about the discipline, focus and ways that hooked me from within. I think that we value more those things that have been hard for us to get. We should always be grateful for our health.

2. Do you feel Latinos have a good fitness awareness??  How can we improve??

I don’t know. I guess all depends on the type of “Latinos” that you come across. One thing I can say is that we love to move, we love to dance, and we love expressing our emotions. The essence of martial arts practice is the expression of the self throughout the techniques and movements. There’s something about Latin culture that goes together with that essence. Can we do better? Regardless to the culture or race, we can all do better. Perfection is not a set goal, it is a way of living.

3. In the United States we struggle with both Childhood and Adult obesity, and this problem heavily affects our Latino community in the states. What can our teachers, parents and our community as a whole do to start solving the problem? Any recommendations?

Become aware! In order to solve the problem, we must understand it first. I think education is a real solid base for any society. We need to study more, learn more and educate our children and ourselves better. Not letting TV, Internet, media and video games raise our children is probably the right move at this time. We need to go back to family values and human interaction.

4. What is Martial Fusion?

Martial Fusion™ is a complete mind-body fitness program that fuses martial arts, dance and yoga. It is designed to develop a lean body and a focused mind, integrating body, mind, and spirit in a single class.

5. What does Sensei Gomez think about Zumba? Have you tried it? How does it compare to your methods in Martial Fusion?

Zumba is excellent! Beto is a great instructor and front man for this Latin dance fitness program that has grown into something that no other fitness program has done before. Martial Fusion is an evolution, a mix of many modern fitness programs, ancient philosophies and martial arts disciplines. Since I was very young, I always thought that we needed to be able to experience as much as we are able to in order to generate a real free choice. I like to pick the elements from different sources that worked for me and use them in my own development. That is what I teach my students to do. And that is what Martial Fusion is all about.

6. Who do you believe are the most fit people in the world?? Do you feel other communities have a more dynamic fitness culture?

I get asked a similar question about martial arts all the time. Which martial art is the best? And my answer is always the same, it is not the martial art, but the practitioner that makes the art come alive. Americans, Europeans, Asians, etc. I think the world has become a very small place today. We are too many, and generalizations are very hard to make these days. Whoever lives in a quiet place, surrounded by nature, feeling the sun on their skin, breathing clean air (If there’s any left) taking long walks daily, and are eating non-processed foods, in my opinion, are the healthiest people on the planet.

7. How about in Latin America, what country has the best Bodies?? Your Top 3.

Well, on this one I must go back to my roots. Venezuela, Venezuela, Venezuela of course! Look at their beautiful women. Beautiful fusion!

8. Who was your idol growing up???? How and why did he/she inspire you?

I’ve had a few, but since I was raised in an Aikido Dojo Culture, I have to say that back then Steven Seagal was the guy. I know that what we see today on “Lawman” is far from that “Above the Law” ideal. But 20 years ago, he inspired me to train in martial arts and to develop myself. I had the opportunity to train with him in Colorado about 10 years ago, and I have to say that it was a very powerful weekend – full of wisdom and new ideas to be explored. Regardless of what is presented to us today about Steven Seagal, the man is a master.

9. If you could be something other than what you currently do, what would it be? Why?

A singer, musician. They have the power to reach people in a very profound way.

10. Tu Cancion del momento..Whats on your I-Pod, right now?

A single song, not really, but the whole album by Stigmato Inc. (Reality Check) is a masterpiece for creating an ambiance of relaxation, I use it for my yoga segments of Martial Fusion.

For more information please visit: martialfusion.com