Colombia’s musical diversity will showcase a unique fusion of styles and performances that will take over Austin from March 12-18! Audiences will have a rare opportunity to witness some of Colombia’s most prolific talent, filled with high energy performances and more!
Rancho Aparte
Traditional Chirimía with a Punk Attitude, Rancho Aparte represents Colombia’s brass band-based genre of the northern Pacific region. It features energetic explorations of Afro-Colombian polka roots with looping clarinets, pumping bombardino and dynamic drumming. The band was formed in Quibdó, Chocó in 2005 with the intention of promoting the region’s common musical heritage. The group gained attention after receiving an award for best Chirimia band at the Petronio Alvarez Pacific Music Festival in 2013. They were a part of the WOMEX showcase program in 2015. Rancho Aparte conquered some European territories the following year with an extensive 25 date-tour throughout that summer.
La Fragua Band
From Medellín, Colombia, La Fragua is a fusion of native rhythms and psychedelic guitars that bring together ancestral cumbias, Latin roots and atmospheres where the tropic is evoked. Since its inception in 2011, the “fragueños” sound have gone beyond borders conquering international markets such as Cuba, Mexico and the US. Sharing stages and festival bills with the likes of Pastor Lopez, Silvestre Dangond, Latin Brothers, Matisyahu and The Damn Yankees, Estados Alterados and others. La Fraga is currently promoting their latest album “Sicotrópico Estelar”, recorded in La Finca Studio – Medellin under the production of Adam Naranjo, Marlon Zapata and Latin Grammy Award winner Jose Pablo Arbelaez.
Stefficrown
Stefficrown is a rapper, vocalist and songwriter. She is also known for her high fashion designs, video and film directing. Born in Cyprus to a Colombian mother, a citizen of the world who is known for her underground Trap movement in Cali, Colombia. In 2017 she released her first EP including the trap track “Figlia Di Papa” on Noisey, Vice Spain. Some of Stefficrown accomplishments include performing at the Sonar Bogota edition, participation of her films in the Cannes Film Festival and, some of her high fashion designs walked the Hollywood red carpet Golden Globes in 2012.
Cirkus Funk
Mixing diverse genres such as funk, soul, tropical rhythms and rock, Cirkus Funk is strongly influenced by the Latin’s sounds of Cali, Colombia. Veterans at the SXSW Festival, the band was formed in 2011 by Eduu Raffaelo, Alejandro Bastidas, Sara Acero, Camilo Carvajal, David Gaviria, and Jose Peláz. With two released albums, ‘C.L.U.B’ (2012) and ‘Space Conga’ (2015), Cirkus Funk has quickly conquered recognition in countries such as Mexico, Peru and the United States, performing at iconic events including Rock Al Parque. Now with the EP ‘Cuando Suena el Tropico’, the band is ready to continue exploring new audiences and markets.
Ismael Ayende
Suggesting a sonic journey ranging from the heat of the Colombian cumbia to the festive melancholy of the Andean music, mixed with a load of surf rock and experimental sounds, Ismael Ayende has been making inroads in the Colombian alternative circuit participating in festivals such as Estereo Picnic, Rock al Parque, Hermoso Ruido, Festival Centro and Festival Yaveria. With the idea of producing a conceptual album that was born under the name of “La Maquina Dispensadora”, Juan Pablo Horna, Juan Manuel Osorio and Federico Tisnes formed Ismael Ayende in 2012. In partnership with Deezer Colombia, the band released the EP “Colon Era Una Isla” in 2015 following the release of “Tres Volcanes”, a sophomore that reaffirmed their characteristic sound, called Psicosurf Andino. Recently, the band has been working in the promotion of a fourth release, the EP “Los Malos Espiritus”.
About MINTIC-ProColombia:
Since 2012, MINTIC and ProColombia have joined forces to strengthen commercial capacity and support the international promotion of companies in the Information Technology and Digital Content industries to increase sales of the sector in the period 2014-2018 carrying diverse activities such as participation in specialized fairs, business rounds, international cooperation actions and foreign investment.
