
At the heart of Quetzal are Martha Gonzales (vocals) and Quetzal Flores (bajo sexto, cuatro, jarana). Their previous album, Worksongs, was produced by Steve Berlin.
One reviewer labeled Quetzal a "Chicano rock group." Others describe them as a "risk-taking Mexican-American band" or "Latin American pop for the serious listener" or "the heirs of Los Lobos." You may be getting the idea that eclectic is a word that would describe this band. Eclectic and relevant, as their songs (in both English and Spanish) are inevitably about the real world around them. Not as hard-driving as Ozomatli, or as folky as Lila Downs, they'll nonetheless appeal to fans of those groups. And fans of other Latin rock/folk/alternative bands.
If you're wondering about the album's title, here's the skinny from Flores.
I'm looking at 514 years of cross-colonialization, and I'm looking at the word cowboy as that process. One could blatantly interpret that as 'Oh, that's about George Bush.' But it has so many definitions: war-mongering, greed, lack of education. The list keeps going on and on.
I'm eager to hear the full album and I'll let you know when it's available, probably with a review in this space. In the meantime, the band has graciously provided this advance track to SoundRoots. Enjoy.
[mp3] Quetzal: "
from the forthcoming album Die Cowboy Die
Other Quetzal albums: Sing the Real | Worksongs
Read an interview with Gonzales & Flores
1 comment:
I think I saw this band at a festival a couple years ago. I'm looking forward to reading your review of their album.
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