Las Cafeteras

Las Cafeteras is a Chicano musical collective based in East Los Angeles, recognized for blending traditional and contemporary music genres. The group originated when a collective of students studying son jarocho music at the Eastside Café community center formed under the name Los Cafeteros. The name later changed to Las Cafeteras to reflect the group's feminine spirit. Initially focused on sharing Afro-Mexican music from Southern Veracruz, Mexico, Las Cafeteras evolved into an electro-folk ensemble, integrating genres such as cumbia, punk, hip-hop, and Afro-Mexican rhythms.

Las Cafeteras incorporates traditional instruments, including the 8-string jarana, 4-string requinto, quijada, and tarima, to create a sound that bridges folk traditions with modern influences. The group performs in English, Spanish, Spanglish, and explores themes of love and justice, using music as a tool for cultural connection and social commentary. Their song "La Bamba Rebelde" was featured as the theme for the telenovela "Bajo El Mismo Cielo" on Telemundo, expanding their reach to broader audiences.

The collective's debut album, "Live at Mucho Wednesday," was recorded at La Cita Bar in Downtown Los Angeles. Their first studio album, "It's Time," led to performances alongside artists such as Café Tacuba, Lila Downs, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Las Cafeteras has appeared at venues including the Santa Barbara Bowl, Lincoln Center, Montreal Jazz Festival, and WOMAD Festival in the United Kingdom. The album "Tastes Like LA" further established the group in the contemporary roots music scene.

"A Night in Nepantla," a nine-track album, explores the concept of cultural hybridity and identity, drawing inspiration from Gloria Anzaldúa's book, "The Borderlands." The album features collaborations with artists including David Garza, Moises Baquero, and Sergio Mendoza, addressing themes relevant to multicultural communities.

Las Cafeteras has received recognition from NPR, Latino USA, GRAMMY.com, PBS, LA Times, and Democracy Now. The group has performed at events such as Bonnaroo, Hollywood Bowl, WOMAD New Zealand, and Montreal Jazz, sharing stages with artists including Natalia LaFourcade, the Gypsy Kings, Juanes, Common, Ozomatli, Los Lobos, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Through its performances and recordings, Las Cafeteras demonstrates the enduring power of music rooted in tradition to inspire social change and cultural dialogue.