Electronica+Flare Horns=Fusion To Move To

Bands at a Glimpse: Nortec Collective.
Yes, this quintet is from Tijuana, Mexico and has cross-border influence with their unique style of music. Under an indie flag, Nortec Collective combines regional Mexican sounds and fusion, flare horns, and mariachi to come out with a blended, electronica style.

The group pays homage to tradition by honoring the oh-so reminiscent flare horns that are typical of Mexico, yet spices up their sound with electronica themes. Although listeners are reminded of the violence that is ever-occurring in Mexico as Nortec Collective splices track “Don Loope” with the sound of gunshots, nearly every song of the band’s is upbeat and usually lighthearted.

Listeners are even given an alternative look at quite possibly one of the regions most poverty-stricken towns, Tijuana, in the song “Tijuana Makes Me Happy,” in which the quintet proposes Tijuana to be the happiest place on Earth.

Nortec Collective just hit Tucson on Friday, and will stay on the U.S. side of the border for one more tour date before returning to Mexico. To see upcoming tour dates and check out Nortec Collective’s Mexican-infused electronica, check out their myspace page.

Abandoning the Comfort Zone

Though I am personally enthralled with indie music, I will strive to step outside of that realm for this blog and examine other aspects of music and how is represents or affects the border.