Especial Blog: May and June 2021

June 24, 2021

Especial Playlist

All we need to know for this week is that Helado Negro has a new album out in October. And that Dom La Nena has a newly remixed single from El Buho. Okay and that Luna Luna is coming to the Hi Dive on November 23rd and Especial is presenting the show. You know what, there's plenty to be excited about.

Helado Negro - Gemini and Leo Far In (Out Oct. 22)
Fruta Brutal - If We NeverTouch The Ground Single
The Marias - Un Millon Cinema (Out this week)
Las Cafeteras - La Sirena Single
Lolita - 5 Year Thing Single
Xenia Rubinos - Cogelo Suave Single
Luna Luna - Golden Single  @Hi Dive Nov. 23
Celeste Martinez - Lady Liberty Single
*Mark Cast & Pahua - Quereme Ofrenda EP Remixes
B.A.R.D.O. - Patterns of Being Everything Reminds Me of Space (Out July 23)
Liniker - Baby 95 Single
Machu Linea - Popstyle ft. Mica Ray HeXotica
Javiera Mena - Diva ft. Chico Blanco 2. Entusiasmo EP
*Dom La Nena - Moreno (El Buho Remix) Single
Katiria - Mientes Single
La Dame Blanche - Mata Sede ft. Amanda Magalhaes Single
Bomba Estereo - Se Acabo Aire EP/Deja

June 16, 2021

Especial Playlist

Trying to keep up with all this new music and it's so worth it. The Marias debut album is right around the corner, and they've also released a new single from it. BARDO has announced the release date of his debut solo album, Everything Reminds Me Of Space. Local musician, Fruta Brutal, has a new single out now. And PRIDE continues with new music from Brazil's Liniker, a new collab between Javiera Mena and Chico Blanco, and that video from Las Cafeteras is now out in the world:

The Marias - Un Millon Cinema Out June 25
Jon Rubio - Labios Rosados ft. Katiria and Yugs Single
Las Cafeteras - La Sirena Single
Xenia Rubinos - Cogelo Suave Single
Machu Linea - Popsytle ft. Mica Ray HeXotica
Luna Luna - Golden Single
Liniker - Baby 95 Single
Fruta Brutal - If We Never Touch The Ground Single
Javiera Mena - Diva ft. Chico Blanco 1. Entusiasmo EP
Bomba Estereo - Se Acabo Aire EP
Savila - Mayahuel Mayahuel
Katiria - A Oscura Single
B.A.R.D.O - Patterns of Being Everything Reminds Me Of Space Out July 23
Salt Cathedral - Te Quiero Olvidar Remixed Carisma *isolation remixes*
Lolabum & Neoma - Cuando Quieres Jugar Conmigo Single
La Dame Blanche - Mata Sede ft. Amanda Magalhaes Single

June 10, 2021

Especial Playlist

Más música nueva esta semana, incluye Luna Luna, Bomba Estereo, and a brand new one from La Dame Blanche, featuring Amanda Magalhães - La Dame Blanche's first new single since last year's Ella album.

Also continuing Pride celebrations, very excited to kick off the show with a brand new one from Las Cafeteras, who are releasing the new single tomorrow with a star studded 2SLGBTQIA+ cast for the video. Celebrando musica local con Machu Linea, former Local 303 artists and outspoken queer relative in the community. Y tambien, Javiera Mena de Chile, who has just released her brand new EP, 1. Entusiasmo, along with a new single featuring Chico Blanco:

Las Cafeteras - La Sirena Single
Xenia Rubinos - Cogelo Suave Single
Fruta Brutal - If We Never Touch The Ground (out this week)
Luna Luna - Golden Single
Machu Linea - Popstyle ft. Mica Ray Hexotica
Javiera Mena - Diva ft. Chico Blanco 1. Entusiasmo EP
Katiria - Mientes Single
Salt Cathedral - Te Quiero Olvidar Remix Carisma *isolation remixes*
La Dame Blanche - Mata Sede ft. Amanda Magalhães Single
Nina Dioz - Brillo Single
The Linda Lindas - Racist, Sexist Boy Single
Fea - Ya Se No Novelties 
Celeste Martinez - Lady Liberty Single
Mon Laferte - Amadio Mio Seis
Savila - Mayahuel Mayahuel
Neoma - Into You Real
Bomba Estereo - Se Acabo Aire EP/Deja Out July 2

June 8, 2021

Comunidad Guest DJ: Zee Arellano

I have only known Zee very briefly, but I am simply blown away by how much they do. Not only here in the Denver community, but throughout Indigenous and migrant communities as well. Important, hard work. I am inspired by their passion, their drive, and their commitment to uplifting and supporting community. I am particularly inspired by this playlist, which you can find below after you become inspired yourself - read more about Zee, and dance along with 10 of their favorite songs!

What do you do in the Denver community:
 I ebb and flow throughout the Denver community as a playful otter, a community organizer, a youth educator, a co-parent to a brilliant fire femme warrior and an active and present weaver bringing together life and community wherever I go. 
 
Tell me more about your background:
Anyone who knows me will automatically name that I rep Chicago through and through. I was born and raised on the northside of Chicago and spent time on the south side of Chicago predominantly in Black and Latinx barrios. As a first-generation being, I ventured into Colorado for college and after graduating found myself creating a home within the queer BIPOC community in Denver. I started getting involved in youth and community organizing and planted seeds that began to root and create networks of care, nurturance and holistic healing. 
 
Tell me more about your Latinidad:

 I identify as a first-generation genderqueer light-skin/white passing Latinx being. As a child of immigrants while also holding the privilege of having light-skin, I have learned to navigate ways to center and validate my Latinidad experiences while centering Latinidad voices that are often ignored or forgotten--specifically my afro-latinx and indigenous siblings. I have been on a journey to connect with my indigenous roots and also heal the colonizing Spanish roots found within my bloodstream. 
 
Why does representation matter in your community work:
 Representation is crucial to the growth, maintenance and evolution of our communities, especially for our black, indigenous, queer, trans and disabled communities. Representation makes us seen, felt and heard. It makes society SEE that we exist and thrive and LIVE outside of their imagination and representation plants seeds of us inside their imagination. When working with youth, migrant communities or trans asylum seekers I make it a priority to bring different identities to the forefront so they can be weaved into their experiences and stories. Our art, voices, songs, ancestry, history, medicines and more are powerful enough to create new worlds and ways of being and by allowing representation to take hold we can invite others to dream alongside us. 
 
What is one way the community can uplift Latin work/voices/art:
 One important way that community can uplift Latinx work,voices and art is by doing the work to heal and challenge their own biases when it comes to what they think of when they hear the word Latin. Oftentimes people have a monolithic or homogenous framework or vision when deciphering the term Latin and it often creates gaps in representation and voices. By doing that internal work first, people can begin to expand and open their worldview and invite all forms of Latinidad into their consciousness which then brings more possibilities for Latin work, voices and art to be held, seen and heard. Another way community can uplift Latin work, art and voice is by utilizing their networks and own voices to AMPLIFY the dope work that our Latinx community members are doing. I believe in the power of weaving and envision a mycelium network amplifying and supporting all forms of Latin work, art and voice.

June 2, 2021

Especial Playlist

Feliz Pride! Each week throughout June, I'll be highlighting some truly amazing LGBTQIA2+ artists from around the Americas and in Colorado. This week...

Pinc Louds: Originalmente de Puerto Rico, Claudi now resides in New York with her band, making catchy music and busking on the streets (making parks and street corners into parties). Latest single, "Tamarindo:"



Celeste Martinez: One third of Denver's favorite QTBIPOC band, TuLips, Celeste also performs solo from time to time. While we're waiting for the debut release from TuLips, Celeste covered Dressy Bessy's "Lady Liberty" for our online Denver Does Denver, in 2020.

Renee Goust: Renee just released her debut album, Resister, and her latest single, "La Apuesta," is a song about coming out. She says the song is "a strong statement, a reminder to stand up for yourself in pride, a call to live your life to the fullest, regardless of society's prejudices."

Pinc Louds - Tamarindo Single
Pehuenche - Dos Amantes Single
Agustin Rodas - Intermezzo Solaris ft. Danny Pauta Novus Era
Mon Laferte - Amadio Mio Seis
Fruta Brutal - Viva When It Matters EP
Bomba Estereo - Soledad Deja July 2
Reyna - Quarantine Baby Single
Savila - Mayahuel Mayahuel
Katiria - Down My Walls Single tentacion
Xenia Rubinos - Cogelo Suave Single
Juana Molina - Que Llueva! Segundo (Remastered)
Neoma - Young Single
The Linda Lindas - Racist Sexist Boy Single
Fea - Feminazi Fea
Celeste Martinez - Lady Liberty Single
Renee Goust - La Apuesta RESISTER

May 26, 2021

Especial Playlist

Mon Laferte - Amadio Mio Seis
Fruta Brutal - Viva Single
Bomba Estereo - Soledad Deja Out July 2
Pehunche - Dos Amantes Single
The Mananas - Don't Think Your Love Has Given Up Cheers EP
Pinc Louds - Tamarindo Single
Reyna - Quarantine Baby Single
Neoma - Lila Single
Savila - Mayahuel Mayahuel
Marron - Just a Little Longer In
Katiria - Down My Walls Single
Alex Cuba - Mundo Nuevo ft. Lila Downs Mendo
Maria Raquel y Sus Maravillos - El Tiempo se Acabo Single
Pink Hawks - Occupy Single
Xenia Rubinos - Cogelo Suave Single
Jon Rubio - Labios Rosados ft. Katiria y Yugs Single

May 12, 2021

Especial Playlist

2MX2 - Abuelita ft. Kid Astronaut Single
iLe - No Es Importante Single
Xenia Rubinos - Cogelo Suave Single
The Marias - Hush Cinema Out June 25
Lolabum & Neoma - Cuando Quieres Jugar Conmigo Single
Rodrigo Amarante - Mare Drama Out June 16 LOS HERMANOS and LITTLE JOY
Savila - Mayahuel Mayahuel
Katiria - En Me Mente Single
Reyna Tropical - Encerrada ft. Y La Bamba Single
The Mananas - Lucia Cheers EP
Marino - Nuestra Victoria Hella Love Out May 21
Bomba Estereo - Se Acabo Aire EP
Quitapenas - Dos Mangos ft. Edule Single
Okute - Quiere La Rumba Single
Eli Montoya - Eres Me Fuego Single
iZCALLi - Quita de Mas CPR Performance Studio

May 5, 2021

Especial Playlist

Jadsa - Raio de Sol ft. Ana Frango Electrico Olho de Vidro
Neoma - Into You Real
Reyna Tropical - Encerrada ft. Y La Bamba Single
Jon Rubio - Labios Rosados ft. Katiria and Yugs Single
Dom La Nena - Quien Podra Saberlo Tempo
iLe - No Es Importa Single
Flor de Toloache - Florecita Rockera Single
Los Mocochetes - Tacos Single
Los Esplifs - Galaxia Estraik Back
The Original iLLs - Lovely 111
Bomba Estereo - Se Acabo Aire EP
Quitapenas - Dos Mangos ft. Edule Single
Fruta Brutal - Viva When It Matters EP 
The Mananas - Lucia Cheers EP
Pinc Louds - Tamarindo Single
Maria Raquel y Sus Maravillas - El Tiempo se Acabo Single
Okute - Quire La Rumba Single

May 4, 2021

Comunidad Guest DJ: Sheree Brown

Sheree Brown
Photo courtesy of guest

Sheree Brown contains multitudes. I was first introduced to Sheree through her poetry, which is healing, my friends. But she does so much more in the community, including wellness and ancestral healing. Sheree's is a name that you'll hear in multiple places around the Denver community, and for good reason. I'll let her explain more, and be sure to listen to her amazing playlist below!

What do you do in the Denver community:
I’m a mother to a fire child. I write, make art, and tend to plantitas. I support community wellness, healing, organizing, Black Liberation + rest efforts. I make medicine, and rest in hammocks. I actively place Black people in the future through prayer/art/magic/imagination/organizing, and supporting organizers that do work around securing Black Futures. 

Tell me more about your background:
I’m was born in Denver, so I’ve always had a connection. I began to really nurture my relationship to Denver through offering my time y corazon to work I believe in, especially through the healing arts. I started a healing arts collective, Ancestral Herbalism, where we skill-shared traditional healing ways in support of reclaiming our community agency and wellness. I’m also deeply immersed in the arts scene, forever amplifying and supporting my artist familia.

Tell me more about your Latinidad:
I identify as Black Xicana. I honor my mestizaje, reclaiming that word to embrace my mixed being as indigenous, Black y Mexicana. I am 3rd generation Mexicana, and my Black relatives are from the South. AfroMexicanas exist, and we out here!

Why does representation matter in your community work:
Being able to see reflections of ourselves in community is everything. As young people starting out in any field, we need to know that people like us exist. As a Black Queer Xicana practicing hood medicine, conjuring Black futures, and raising babies, I hope that visibility resonates to someone coming up. Representation is a sacred reminder for folks to be their most authentic selves.

What is one way the community can uplift Latin work/voices/art:
Community can help to amplify our stories, share our art with appropriate credits, drop our names for paid opportunities to highlight our work, buy our art/books/music/merch, and affirm the work we are all doing. Collaborations are amazing! Remember that we all need the resources to eat, support our families, buy supplies, rest, and keep the resources circulating to other artists and organizers, so honor the value of our work by paying full price, and seeking our expertise where it matters!
Sheree also chose the song "187bpm_demo" from Wheelchair Sports Camp, Machete Mouth and KOKO La, which is a Bandcamp exclusive, and can be found HERE.

Follow Sheree Brown on Instagram.