Review: Itzli's CD Release at Boneshakers
“Tortilla Curtains” was the reason for celebration on December 15, and young and old alike gathered at Boneshakers to revel in the festivities of Itzli’s much-anticipated CD release. The spectacular supporting lineup included Calmeca, Tha Midax, Saakred, Mad-One, Vocab, Kiko Villamizar, DJ Lenyrd Spinyrd, and (last but certainly not least) Los Nahuatlatos.
I arrived around 11:30, made my way to the bar and begrudgingly bought a $6 beer – my only one of the night. The venue was all spruced up with a variety of artistic decorations for the event. Local artist David Zamora Casas’ art installation of red holiday lights, tapestries, beads, and curtains made from fishing line and flour tortillas was puro San Antonio. Throughout the night, the audience waxed and waned as people wandered outside to check out the live art by Dabs-One and Soup 133. People inside found some sets more intriguing than others, but remained warm and responsive to all the performers.
Mexican hip-hop squad Calmeca had half the crowd bumpin’ with their killer flows while the other half stood with mouths open, entranced by the oratory skills of members 4Rios, Itzli and Joaquín Muerte (both also of Los Nahuatlatos), and Raw Boogie. As the rest of Calmeca moved offstage, Itzli came full force with the solo material he was releasing that night. It is gold. The beats are solid: old school hip hop with a hint of R&B. The bilingual spitter took on different cultural themes in Spanish and English while rapping toward the crowd, which filled the room and was fully engaged.
After 20 minutes, the rest of Los Nahuatlatos joined Itzli onstage. Dancing immediately commenced. A half a dozen couples took to the floor and were followed by individuals who, seemingly infatuated by the music, couldn’t help but rock to the heart-warming combination of Los Nahuatlatos’ booty-shaking, hip-swinging, San Antonio-style polka. The group “takes pride in creating a fusion style,” drummer/vocalist Muerte said during the set.
And create fusion, they did. Incorporating styles of cumbia, ska, Tejano, jazz, hip hop, and rocksteady, the members of Los Nahuatlastos maintain the cultural integrity of the genres they put together and produce a kind of experience unlike others found in the city’s live music scene.
Each member had moments of glory during Los Nahuatlatos’ set. On the accordion, Nicolas Valdez remained front and center throughout the band’s set. I don’t have much experience with this particular instrument, but I never imagined it could have such a range or be so badass, in general. Carlos Sanchez de la Garza (upright bass) stood solid and steady behind his band mates as they counted on his grounded rhythms. Pablo Mancias nearly stole the show with his guitar solos that were stylistically reminiscent of guitarist Mario Salazar of Austin-based ska group The Bandulus. Together they were, and will certainly continue to be, absolutely brilliant.
As the night came to a close, people continued to dance and relentlessly chanted “¡Otra!” until Los Nahuatlatos gave in. Valdez gave a guttural yell to kick off the night’s last number and I saw smiles for miles. The dancing crowd in front of me was obviously a community, made up of many different types of music-loving people enjoying a night of uninhibited camaraderie, founded in genuine love and support for this band that so yearned to move them.
You can check out Itzli on Facebook and hear tracks from his new album, "Tortilla Curtains," on SoundCloud. Los Nahuatlatos' EPK is available on Sonicbids.
