Y La Bamba have unveiled a dizzying, psychedelic clip for their new track, Boca Llena. The song is the third single off the groups upcoming LP,Mujeres, out February 8th on Tender Loving Empire Records.
Fronted by Mexican-American singer-songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza, Y La Bamba suffuse their dream-pop soundscapes with beguiling cumbia and mariachi rhythms, reflecting Mendozas dual upbringing in Oregon and her ancestral homeland of Michoacn, Mexico. In Boca Llena, Mendoza untangles memories of her parents in song. Why is your love so far away? she sings as if under a trance, amid a swaying cscara beat. Cancin de vida, she continues, Tierna palabra/y boca llena de pura maldicin which translates to, Song of life/tender word/and a mouth full of pure curses.
Mendoza co-directed the video, filmed in her hometown of Portland, alongside cinematographer AJ Molle. The new clip sees Mendoza, backed by a dance crew of friends, inciting a street party at dusk; Mendoza nods to fellow Latin indietrailblazerHelado Negroby wearing a T-shirt that reads Young Latin & Proud, the name of one of his songs. Meanwhile, after dark, the party moves indoors, where people of all ages and ethnicities wade playfully across a room of balloons, reveling in a shared childlike wonder. I have been growing into my vision allowing myself to explore my creativity in other mediums, says Mendoza of making the video. Its important to me to bring light into all that I do.
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I always want to celebrate how vulnerable I am, she adds. I am here to share what its like to not hold back. This song is about everything that I have been taking in so far until this point I talk about about wanting to be seen by my father. The abuse in his misogyny has made the relationship we have now. I claim I have my mothers eyes and that Im whole and beautiful like her. Its been an interesting journey in reclaiming my strength [and] my power to protect my mother, from all of the years that were robbed from her and from me. This song is about the tools I have gained through trauma and [what] I learned to see through difficult times.
Y La Bamba will kick off their upcoming tour February 9th in Portland, following the release of Mujeres. The tour includes four dates at the SXSW Music Festival.
Y La Bamba 2019 Tour Dates
February 9 Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
February 10 Seattle, WA @ Tractor tavern
February 12 Sacramento, CA @ Momo (Harlows Upstairs)
February 13 Chico, CA @ The Argus Bar
February 14 San Francisco, CA @ Slims
February 15 Santa Cruz, CA @ Moes Alley
February 16 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
February 17 Tustin, CA @ Martys on Newport
February 18 Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
February 19 Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole
February 20 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar
February 21 Truth or Consequences, NM @ TORC Brewing Co
February 22 Silver City, CA @ Opera House
February 23 Santa Fe, NM @ Ghost
February 24 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
March 12-16 Austin, TX SXSW
March 21-23 Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Fest
April 9 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
April 10 Washington, DC @ Songbyrd
April 11 Brooklyn, NY @ BRIC
April 12 New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine
April 13 Kingston, NY @ BSP Kingston
April 14 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
April 15 Burlington, VT @ Nectars