- Rolling Stone
"Perhaps one of the most unique groups around today, Making Movies is sensual,
smoky, and seductive. Distorted guitars are buried under their
Latin groove, colliding beautifully and urgently"
- NPR
New York, NY (April 13, 2022) - Today, Afro-Latino rock group Making Movies shares their latest single “Sala De Los Pecadores.” The track is accompanied by an immersive video, directed by William J Stribling - watch/share via YouTube. “Sala De Los Pecadores” comes from their forthcoming album XOPA due June 17 via Cosmica Artists.
“Sala De Los Pecadores” is the second single from XOPA following the classic love song, “Calor.” Via a rollercoaster cumbia-rock, “Sala De Los Pecadores” is a caricature of rock ‘n’ roll rooted in the trope of glamorized excess — something a much younger, long-gone version of Making Movies may have once believed in. “Calor” is going to be featured in the band's PBS music documentary AMERI'KANA, to be aired this spring in various markets.
When describing the inspiration behind “Sala De Los Pecadores,” vocalist and guitarist Enrique Chi shared, “not feeling at peace with yourself manifests itself in so many destructive ways. It’s a toxic sweat and if you haven’t slowed down to truly look at yourself, your nervous sweats will leave sores.”
"It's a psychedelic, Latin, freakout," says XOPA album mixer Tchad Blake.
(Photo credit: Felipe Rubilar)
Produced by Ben Yonas and mixed by Blake, XOPA features performances by Marc Ribot, Rubén Blades, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Jeremy Kittel, Martha Gonzales, Asdru Sierra, Dolores Huerta, and Alaina Moore of Tennis.
XOPA is an evolution of the band’s long-standing intentions. This record transcends sonic heydays, connects long-ago and geographically distant cultural histories, and, in the process, delivers a sound that is undeniably future-forward. XOPA does more than challenge stale musical mores; it eschews them all together to make room for a broader vision of what music can be.
XOPA builds on the declarations of ameri'kana, its critically acclaimed predecessor. The latter, however, more explicitly tells, while the former instructs more subtly by showing instead. You can hear in the work the ways music connects cultures and crosses borders. And this LP, unlike those before it, is sung completely in Spanish.
Cyclical as is life, so is XOPA. The album embraces the in-between lows as much as one cherishes the highs that are critical to self-acceptance, to a degree of openness that makes living worthwhile. Making Movies offers a route to this enlightened place. Start by feeling the connections — the history and the future — in the music of XOPA.
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While artists of all stripes have been affected, independent musicians, in particular, have lost revenue to canceled tours, festivals and, in some cases, entire seasons of performances. From rock bands to your local mariachi group, they all depend on reliable gigs to help them pay rent and feed their families.
]]>The key is exposing them to mentors who can illustrate what’s possible, said Enrique Chi, emphasizing opportunities for youth won’t wait for the end of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which stalled the Latin Grammy-nominated band’s most recent tour.
]]>The key is exposing them to mentors who can illustrate what’s possible, said Enrique Chi, emphasizing opportunities for youth won’t wait for the end of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which stalled the Latin Grammy-nominated band’s most recent tour.
“Most kids here cannot fathom how you could someday make music for a living and you could pursue a life based around the idea of music you create. They’ve just never seen it,” the Making Movies lead vocalist and guitarist said. “They’ve never seen it because effectively, no one here does it.”
Enrique Chi launched the nonprofit Art as Mentorship in 2017, hoping to foster more music success stories in Kansas City. Through a long-standing collaboration with the Mattie Rhodes Center, the music education camp eventually developed a recurring 12-week program called The Rebel Song Academy.
]]>In 2017, Panamanian singer and songwriter Rubén Blades gave their track “Spinning Out” a shout-out on the red carpet at the Latin Grammys. That led to the first collaboration between Rubén Blades and Making Movies, a song called “No Te Calles”, featured in their latest album, titled ameri’kana.
]]>"Making Movies are known for their socially conscious songwriting and community work, which they double down in forthcoming album ameri’kana" - Remezcla
"an epic music collaboration" - Grammy.com
"a strident independent ethos and Afro-Caribbean fueled mix of rock and reason" - NPR
ameri'kana, the highly anticipated album from Making Movies and Rubén Blades, is out today. It's an album that is as striking musically as it is narratively. It's the power of collaboration across generations/languages/borders- it's a call to action.
The album is a collaboration with none other than Rubén Blades. The collaboration began at the 2017 Latin Grammys, when Blades said he wanted to work with Making Movies, setting into motion their first collaboration, No Te Calles, a calling to all artists and the general public to speak out against corruption. Inspired by the poetry of Blades on “No Te Calles” Making Movies entered the studio and dreamed up ameri'kana, an "oldies" station from the future, where the injustices sung about are long gone. The album features artists that align with speaking out against divisions, corruption, and injustices, with the hope that in the future those ills will be a memory. Steve Berlin of Los Lobos signed on to produce the album, his third time working with the group, along with co-producer Ben Yonas and together helmed the sessions that brought the featured cast of ameri'kana: Flor De Toloache, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Asdru Sierrra of Ozomatli, Frankie Negrón, and Las Cafeteras. Blades offered himself as a guide and resource to the band during the process, and appears on three tracks of the record, including one co-penned by Lou Reed.
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"Popular music must become a part of the urban network to inform people objectively, educating people worldwide on the need to participate in a civic way to rescue democracy, defeat corruption and create a better and fairer society. We are asking them to become active, to inform themselves on issues, not to be silent, not to accept the present state of political corruption, mediocrity and indifference to truth as something inevitable. It can be changed, if you participate."
Blades finishes with "No te compran si no te vendes" which is to say you cannot be bought if you do not sell yourself.
"Give us your reason to get out on the street and not be silenced," says Blades in the NoTeCalles.World video, inviting all to raise their voice and speak about the issues that matter to them. Using innovative technology created by VMLY&R, the website provides a version of the song that allows those who dare to sing or speak over a chorus and verse with Making Movies and Rubén Blades that can be downloaded and shared on social media. Every time someone participates, their contribution will be stitched together and combined with the rest to form a dynamic and living version of No Te Calles: 'Making Movies and Rubén Blades ft. The World.'
"Rubén wrote a new song that summarized the essence of our band," says Enrique Chi, singer and guitarist of Making Movies. "We met in New York after Rubén shouted us out on the red carpet of the Latin GRAMMY's," and from there the idea of collaborating began. "He asked for the lyrics (of our album I Am Another You)," says Chi. "We had made a record about the interconnectivity of the human race through the lens of our cousins' experiences. I sent him these ideas and he came back with 'No Te Calles.'" That collaboration has now begun what is hoped to be a global movement. Among the confirmed collaborators are Los Lobos, Flor de Toloache, and Las Cafeteras. Follow the movement on January 18th, 2019.
]]>(November 6, 2018 - Kansas City, MO) "Remain in light, is a genius, beautiful mantra that I have returned to time and time again," – Enrique Chi, Making Movies
Rock and roll band Making Movies and singer-harpist Calvin Arsenia are merging creative forces to present "Once In a Lifetime," Making Movies' first ever New Year’s Eve concert experience at the Truman Kansas City. The special concert will feature performances by Making Movies, Calvin Arsenia, rock en español group Reptil, and, after midnight, a recreation of the classic Talking Heads album, Remain In Light, complete with costumes and a psychedelic light show. Maintaining their focus on local activism, Making Movies and Calvin Arsenia are highlighting community leaders who are "bringing light" to Kansas City by showcasing them via Social Media (follow #RemainInLightKC) and taking a moment to acknowledge them during the night. The show will also include many special guests from the Kansas City music scene, an open-bar VIP area, and free champagne toast as the two artists aim to throw the most memorable party of the year.
"This album has been a light post for me for years," Chi continues, "David Byrne was questioning modern society in stream of conscious lyrics, punk attitude, integrating then-innovative sampling and looping technology, while paying homage to the afro-beat influence in modern music. When I hear the record, I feel that he was chasing what I am chasing... how to play universal music, the songs we all somehow know."
“Enrique is brilliant. I think we both have a lot to say... I have been looking forward to presenting something special with him and Making Movies for some time now. I believe environment is crucial to how music is presented and there is no better time nor place for this musical, emotional, and theatrical collaboration to debut than at The Truman this New Year’s Eve. It will be something this city will talk about for years to come. It is my aim that many will be blessed by being there.” - Calvin Arsenia
Tickets: https://mkngmvs.com/events/406...
Vip Tickets: https://mkngmvs.com/store/1630...
]]>We’ve been given the opportunity to unite once again with UnidosUS, Rock The Vote and duo Jesse Y Joy to help bring awareness to raising your voice! Electrify The Vote is a not only a series of intimate acoustic shows but a chance to encourage young people to register to vote!✌🏼✊🏽 See you soon CA, AZ and TX!
]]>(Washington, D.C. - September 7, 2018).- On Friday September 7th, Making Movies and Flor De Toloache will release 'Amor De Mis Amores,' a song written by Enrique Chi, frontman of Making Movies, during a trip to Panama. "I was listening to recordings of old Panamanian songwriters," says Chi, "which inspired the song's tortured character." The duet is sung by Chi and Mireya Ramos of Flor De Toloache, telling the story of a lover betrayed, or so it seems, until a chorus of women led by Ramos come in at the end with a revelation: in reality, he mistreated his lover and drove her away. "The track has that lilting groove and hook that makes your body sway like a palm tree in the breeze," says Shae Fiol of Toloache, whose powerful vocals fill in the choruses. The musical conversation between Making Movies as the rhythm section and Flor De Toloache's violin, trumpet, and rich harmonies, creates a nostalgic and seductive track- a big-band sound that harkens back to the Cuban dance-hall bands of 1950s New York.
Click HERE for to download "Amor de mis Amores"
Single art by Chico Sierra
The collaboration between the groups was dreamed up while on the road- Chi was touring with Las Cafeteras as their guitarist during the GlobalFest Tour, which brought Las Cafeteras, Chi, and Flor De Toloache together at the Fox Theater in Oakland. The joint show led Chi to propose recording together, citing a musical and spiritual kinship. "During the tour I realized that they are sisters to us," says Chi, "They're in the same journey of exploring what it means to be a Latino in America today."
Soon afterward, Chi sent over a demo of the song to Ramos. "Amor De Mis Amores sounded to me like an instant classic," recalls Ramos, "reminiscent of the Cuban bolero energy with an urban and edgy touch." Flor De Toloache and Making Movies debuted the song by performing it live together at Joe's Pub in New York City, where salsa icon Ruben Blades could be seen, iPhone in hand, filming the entire show.
'Amor De Mis Amores' is the final track of an EP called 'Ritmo De Mi Pueblo,' which also features four collaborations between Making Movies and LA's jarocho troubadours, Las Cafeteras.The EP artwork [pictured below] features a Panamanian diablico, a costume and dance seen during the Panamanian Carnaval, dancing above a southwestern town.
Making Movies is a rock and roll band that is electrifying the folk of Latin America in a way that Rolling Stones says "is breaking down walls in the US." The band's music tells immigrant stories in its 2017 release, I Am Another You - "lyrically and sonically one of the best albums of the year," NPR raved, and used proceeds from the album sales to support the National Immigration Law Center. Consisting of two pairs of brothers- Enrique and Diego Chi from Panama, and Juan-Carlos and Andres Chaurand who are Mexican-Americans- the foursome give high energy performances that also showcase their roots, with front man Enrique Chi incorporating the folkloric Panamanian mejorana lute into the show, or the Chaurand brothers swapping drums and percussion for ballet folklorico, a traditional form of dance from Veracruz, Mexico. The band's political idea is straightforward enough that they can express it in four words: "We are all immigrants."
Flor De Toloache is New York City's first and only All-Women Mariachi Group. The members hail from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States, resulting in a cultural bouquet of an edgy, versatile and fresh take on traditional Mexican music. The group recently collaborated with new wave Chicano Batman, toured with Dan Auerbach's The Arcs and Latin Alternative legends Cafe Tacvba. Their album Las Caras Lindas won the Latin Grammy for best Ranchera Album in 2017.
]]>(Panama City, Panama - July 24, 2018).- On Friday July 27th, Making Movies and Las Cafeteras will release 'Ritmo De Mi Pueblo,' the title track from the collaborative EP the bands released together this summer. The two Latin artists recorded four songs in Memphis earlier this year, solidifying a musical kinship developed over years of touring and performing side by side. In May, the artists set out on a joint tour through California, the Southwest, and Texas called Carnaval: The Tour, enlisting Latin Grammy-winning artists Alex Cuba and Mariachi Flor de Toloache among others in support of the new EP.
Releasing one single every week while on tour, 'Ritmo De Mi Pueblo' is preceded by 'Tormenta,' 'Feo Mas Bello' and 'Montaña' with the fifth and final track to feature Mariachi Flor De Toloache (to be released August 10th).
Making Movies and Las Cafeteras at the Stove recording studio in Memphis, TN
"Ritmo was born out of a sound-check jam during the Global Fest tour," says Enrique Chi, frontman of Making Movies about his time subbing on guitar with Las Cafeteras. "The song showcases all the personalities in Las Cafeteras and it turned out to be so fun to play together live during Carnaval: The Tour."
"[The song] reminds me to celebrate ancestral rhythms throughout my entire body," adds Denise Carlos, whose iconic vocals lead the chorus. "It holds space for my feminine strength and sensuality in the most powerful way."
The EP artwork [pictured below] features a Panamanian diablico, a costume and dance seen during the Panamanian Carnaval, dancing above a southwestern town.
Making Movies is a rock and roll band that is electrifying the folk of Latin America in a way that Rolling Stones says "is breaking down walls in the US.” The band's music tells immigrant stories in its 2017 release, I Am Another You - "lyrically and sonically one of the best albums of the year," NPR raved, and used proceeds from the album sales to support the National Immigration Law Center. Consisting of two pairs of brothers– Enrique and Diego Chi from Panama, and Juan-Carlos and Andres Chaurand who are Mexican-Americans– the foursome give high energy perforrmances that also showcase their roots, with front man Enrique Chi incorporating the folkloric Panamanian mejorana lute into the show, or the Chaurand brothers swapping drums and percussion for ballet folklorico, a traditional form of dance from Veracruz, Mexico. The band's political idea is straightforward enough that they can express it in four words: "We are all immigrants."
Las Cafeteras, born and raised east of the Los Angeles river, Las Cafeteras are remixing roots music and telling modern day stories. Las Cafeteras create a vibrant musical fusion with a unique East LA sound and positive message. Their Afro-Mexican beats, rhythms, and rhymes deliver inspiring lyrics that document stories of a community seeking love and justice in the concrete jungle of Los Angeles. Using traditional Son Jarocho instruments like the jarana, requinto, quijada (donkey jawbone) and tarima (a wooden platform), Las Cafeteras sing in English, Spanish, and Spanglish and add a remix of sounds, from rock to hip-hop to rancheras. Las Cafeteras use music as a vehicle to build bridges among different cultures and communities, and create ‘a world where many worlds fit’.
LA Times described Las Cafeteras as “uniquely Angeleno mishmash of punk, hip-hop, beat music, cumbia and rock … live, they’re magnetic.”
Carnaval The Tour 2018 redefined folk in North America by highlighting the rich, but often overlooked, folk music of Latin America and the artists who are bringing it into the future. From Los Angeles to Cuba, Panama to New Orleans, Carnaval created moments to let loose and express the resilience of the human spirit. It provided an open and inclusive environment; a place where tradition and rebellion could coexist. The tour featured performances by Making Movies, Las Cafeteras, Alex Cuba, and culminated in Making Movies' Sold Out Carnaval festival in Kansas City which also featured Latin Grammy winners, Mariachi Flor De Toloache.
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(Los Angeles, CA - April 17, 2018).- For four weeks in the summer of 2018, venues across the USA will host the first ever Carnaval tour, curated by Making Movies. The concerts will invoke the spirit of a Latin American Carnaval where music, culture, and protest dance together. Carnaval: The Tour features special guests: Alex Cuba, Las Cafeteras, and Mariachi Flor De Toloache.
Carnaval The Tour is redefining folk in North America by highlighting the rich, but often overlooked, folk music of Latin America and the artists who are bringing it into the future. From Los Angeles to Cuba, Panama to New Orleans, Carnaval is a moment to let loose and express the resilience of the human spirit. It is an open and inclusive environment; a place where tradition and rebellion coexist.
The 21-date tour will begin on May 14 at Boulder, Colorado and end on June 9th in Kansas City. This one-of-a-kind concert experience is an extension of the Making Movies Carnaval, a music and arts festival founded by American rock'n'roll band Making Movies. Carnaval: The Tour celebrates Latino heritage in the United States by focusing on the integral role Latin music has played in the American story of folk, jazz, and rock'n'roll. "Celebrate Our Folk" is our way of saying "celebrate our America."
Making Movies is a known band that blends pulsing Afro-Latino rhythms, psychedelic jams and rock 'n' roll swagger into powerful live performances, full of theatrics and cathartic climaxes. Armed with the ambitious and politically charged 2017 release I Am Another You - "lyrically and sonically one of the best albums of the year," NPR raved - and a companion EP, You Are Another Me, the Kansas City band punches out one high-energy song after another. The foursome showcases their Latin American roots, with front man Enrique Chi incorporating traditional instruments like the Panamanian mejorana alongside electric guitar, or the Chaurand brothers swapping drums and percussion for a dueling zapateado huasteco, a traditional form of dance from Veracruz, Mexico. The band's political idea is straightforward enough that they can express it in four words: "We are all immigrants."
Alex Cuba, a forward-thinking, indie-minded artist who has amassed a steadily growing following among critics and fans will be the special guest at the tour for the first 14 dates. With over 20 awards and nominations to his name, including 4 Latin Grammys, two Juno Awards and three Grammy Nominations. His music at once incorporates his roots and is a unique amalgam of styles.
Las Cafeteras a Chicano band from East Los Angeles, California that fuses spoken word and folk music with traditional Son jarocho, Afro-Mexican music and zapateado dancing, will be another special guest joining Carnaval: The Tour on 7 dates.
Making Movies, who just wrapped up their 22 city Immigrants Are Beautiful Tour, as a celebration of solidarity in the face of fear-mongering and hate. Frontman Enrique Chi shared, “It’s time to realize we are all part of this continuum, this beautifully flawed human race that has migrated from every continent to bring us all the beauty we enjoy today.” Making Movies have partnered with Los Lobos frontman David Hidalgo to create a twist on the famous Los Tigres Del Norte song De Paisano A Paisano.
“There is no other musician in the world I would rather have play Paisano with us than David Hidalgo.” Singer and guitarist of Making Movies, Enrique Chi explains. “History often only remembers the victories but we need not forget that when Los Lobos started touring, thirty some years ago, merely singing in Spanish at a rock club could result in being booed, harassed and kicked off stage. Their music alone was a form of protest, they were and are still warriors. His accordion work on this song brings me to tears and his vocal enters under mine musically and spiritually lifting me up. What an honor, protest can beautiful.”
David Hidalgo continues, "The lead vocal on Paisano is so soulful. I didn't want to mess with it so the harmony isn't traditional but neither is Making Movies and that's a good thing. Beautiful! Making movies aren't afraid to speak up. They boldly chose this song because it tells the story of what our country and our people are going through and have been for years."
]]>For our friends who live in countries where YouTube is blocked, watch the session on Vimeo.
Session Tracklist
1. Tell Me The Truth
2. Ciudad de Oropel
3. Spinning Out
4. Locura Colectiva
5. Chase Your Tail
Making Movies is a band founded by the Chi and Chaurand brothers. These two brotherly sets channel Afro-Latino rhythms and call and response structures into relentlessly energetic, super-danceable rock. They're currently on the "Immigrants are Beautiful" using their bi-lingual tunes to preach a politically charged message about intrinsic value and human rights.
Hometown
Kansas City, MO
Band Members
Enrique Chi - Guitar and Vocals
Diego Chi - Bass
Juan-Carols Chaurand - Keys and Percussion
Andres Chaurand - Drums
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Help us spread the word and remember that all DACA recipients are invited to be our guests.
Los Angeles, CA - October 19, 2017 - Making Movies is kicking off their 22-date Immigrants Are Beautiful Tour, as a celebration of solidarity in the face of fear-mongering and hate. Frontman Enrique Chi shared, "It's time to realize we are all part of this continuum, this beautifully flawed human race that has migrated from every continent to bring us all the beauty we enjoy today."
The band has also announced the release of a new EP, You Are Another Me, which features collaborations with David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) and Philthy Dronez (SuenaTron) due out Dec 1st. You Are Another Me is an evolving album: not only will it live as the 4th side of the double vinyl release of the band's critically acclaimed 2nd LP I Am Another You (vinyl also out Dec 1), but will also include additional recordings and collaborators, to be uploaded monthly, for a year after its release. Enrique Chi, Making Movies' singer-songwriter notes: "since making the album, the tides have shifted and the underbelly of systematic racism has reared its ugly head. It is time for us to raise our voices."
Making Movies is an American rock and roll band that captivates audiences with their interweaving of Afro-Latino rhythms and psychedelic rock 'n' roll. The band was formed in Kansas City in 2009 by singer/guitarist Enrique Chi and his brother, bassist Diego Chi, joined by percussionist Juan-Carlos Chaurand and his brother, drummer Andres Chaurand. Making Movies' culture gives way to beautiful dynamic shifts: at times front-man Enrique Chi trades his electric guitar for a folkloric Panamanian mejorana, and the Chaurand brothers hop off drums and percussion to instead supply the rhythmic pulse with dueling zapateados, a traditional dance from Veracruz, Mexico. Armed with their ambitious and politically charged latest album, produced by Steve Berlin from Los Lobos, the band punches out one high-energy song after another with theatrics and improvisation littered throughout. Released in May 2017, I Am Another You peaked at #3 on the Latin Billboard charts and #8 on the World Music Charts.
"Immigrants Are Beautiful Tour" kicks off October 20 in St. Louis, Missouri and will conclude on November 19 in Watsonville, California. Making Movies invites all DACA recipients to receive a free ticket to the shows as the band aims to create a space for communities to celebrate their cultural diversity. "We invite all people to come and enjoy a space where the differences between us are not only accepted, but highlighted, as the centerpiece ofmankind's beauty." DACA recipients only need to sign up for their free tickets on the band's website: makingmoviesband.com/daca.