Ritmos Tropicosmos: La Vida Es Pa' Vivir LP

Emerging from the Oakland underground and the ever-expanding Bay Area cumbia scene, Ritmos Tropicosmos delivers this debut 9-song LP for Summer 2024 on Econo Jam Records. Song subjects range from the purgatory of the unknown, to love/loss and family with lyrics by lead vocalist Eli Reyes and percussionist/vocalist Lesli Rodriguez. With several hard-hitting instrumentals on tap as well, the groove is ever-present, with a constant ear towards experimental sounds and cosmically drenched psychedelia. Band members have a long history in the Bay Area music scene with players from the cumbia, noise, rock, and electronic music communities. Live shows have been described as “how you might imagine a party in the underworld” (Nastia Voynovskaya, KQED). This record aims to capture the playful but deep-burning energy of the band’s live performances and maybe to even take it one step beyond.

◼ The 7 piece band is inspired by a deep love of cumbia music and bolstered by a modern sensibility combining synthesizers, traditional instruments, drum machines, and familial stories. ◼ 2 Sold out 45s on Discos Mas label ◼ Woman-fronted, LGBTQ+ friendly eclectic band with heavy Chicano roots ◼ Recorded and mixed at Santo Recording in Oakland to analog tape by Zachary James Watkins