Womad Q&A: Las Cafeteras
Las Cafeteras hail from East Los Angeles, California and Mexico. They fuse AfroMexican, hip-hop, folk and First Nations rhythms into songs of activism and celebration. Drummer Jose Guadalupe Cruz Cano talks about changing the world and Trump.
Why is it important for the people of the world to hear different styles of music? Governments build borders, musicians build bridges. One of the best ways to embrace each other as brothers and sisters in this world is to share each other’s music.
Describe what your music is like? We re-mix Afro-Mexican folk songs to tell our stories of migration & love! Combining centuries old Mexican sones with folk, hip hop, cumbia and dance party!
What can we expect from your Womad NZ performance? Puro Pachanga! A party in a bottle, we get folks moving, grooving, and when we’re done you won’t know why but you’re gonna be ready to change the world!
What are you most looking forward to about playing Womad? Our goal is always to go beyond language, beyond words. It will be our first time in NZ and Australia and to see if our music connects with folks even if you won’t understand all lyrics, because half of the songs are in Spanish.
How long ago did your journey with music begin and at what age? I began to play drums at 13.
Career highlight thus far? Playing Montreal Jazz Fest for 8000 people and everyone was jumping and dancing.
What inspires you? I studied Mechanical Engineering and worked in a boring office for many years. I would rather play music.
Please share with us something about your home country that we may not know? Trump lost the popular vote and most Americans are against his hateful rhetoric, including us.
What music have you been listening to lately? Music from Mali and Charles Bradley.
Do you have any new projects? We just put out an EP with our friends from Making Movies. Listen to it on Spotify.