Ozomatli [rank: 164] based on users subscribed

"Ozomatli is a latin, hip-hop, and rock group, formed in 1996 in Los Angeles, known both for their extremely vocal activist viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles. Ozomatli take their name from the Nahuatl word for the Aztec astrological symbol of the monkey, which is also a god of dance, fire, the new harvest, and music. The members of the band met through their affiliation with the Peace and Justice Center of Los Angeles, and their first performance was for picketers during a strike. They began their career in the Los Angeles and San Diego/Mexico border-area club scene. Following an appearance in Vibe magazine, the group broke into the mainstream, releasing Ozomatli, their self titled debut album, in June 1998 under the Almo Sounds label.

Ozomatli's second album, Embrace the Chaos, was released on the inauspicious date of 2001-09-11. Although many American bands cancelled their concerts, Ozomatli gained some recognition for continuing to play their concerts,[citation needed] all the while continuing their commitment to social justice and progressive politics, in addition to the rising anti-war movement. Afterwards, the band made a further commitment to a new direction in music, embracing North African and Arab musical styles in addition to their own. The musical styles of many cultures are blended on 2004's Street Signs, with vocals mentioning the Yakuza crossing paths with gnawa trance; or Moroccan sintir virtuoso Hassan Hakmoun, joining the band along with Les Yeux Noirs and the Prague Symphony. Also accompanying are David Hidalgo of Los Lobos and Mario Calire of The Wallflowers. The salsa pioneer Eddie Palmieri, who is on the Concord Jazz label, is a featured performer on Street Signs."

[reproduced or excerpted from the Wikipedia article "Ozomatli" and its use is thus licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License]

Bandega Interview with Asdru Sierra of Ozomatli (November 2008)

Ozomatli serpentines into your soul.

Q: How have your shows changed over the years? Has your perspective on performing live changed?
A: Our shows have changed mostly due to either personel change or boredom! Sometimes we try our best to adjust or enhance our shows to let everyone have their time to shine when they have an idea. If someone comes up with an idea of a breakdown, we try it. The final judges are the audience-their reaction of digging it or booing it. Our live shows feed our souls as well as our families. So we always put our hearts into it. We try our best to make it worth our fan's time and money to see us. We always judge how well our shows do by the level of fun and the inspiration we feel out of it. Our perspective with our live show hasn't really changed: if we aren't enjoying it, we go home. We just hope it improves with time since we hardly have to rehearse!

Q: Describe the most memorable live show you've played.
A: For me, the most memorable show was when we did the first show with Santana. I believe it was one of the most important shows we ever. It sparked our touring career when we had Carlos' support and influence as an icon. He once said we were the future of music...I believe we were more a part of an artistic movement on the West Coast.

Q: What venue do you consider to be your "home", where you feel most comfortable, with the crowd and the place itself?
A: The Fillmore. Not only did we do our live record and video concert there, but it's been our home for years. The vibe, the fans, the musical legendary history, and countless other things make it feel like home. Looking at the walls at the venue gives the sense of musical history that happened there: Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Greatful Dead, Miles Davis....

Q: Describe the most enjoyable show you've ever experienced as a fan.
A: One of the most enjoyable shows as a fan was a Santana show at The Greek Theatre. I don't remember the year but Carlos had long flowing hair.

Q: The band's spirited, serpentine-through-the-crowd entrance has become known and celebrated by Ozomatli fans. Do you recall the first time you ever did it and how it came about?
A: The whole intention in the beginning was to get people into one of our first club shows at The Opium Den. People would hang outside in between bands and wouldn't get to hear us. We decided to hype people into coming back into the club by starting a drum line, all loud and crazy. It caused enough shock for people to come in and see what's going on. Then after the shows, the clubs would always want us to set up our merch in some weird corner to sell our stuff. Needless to say, that's how we made money and it kept us on the road, paying the gas and expenses it took for us to do a show. So we started to do that drum line and end it straight at our merch booth - it would help us out a lot. It would even be a good ice breaker for the single guys in the band, And we did it ever since.

Show Reviews for Ozomatli

Date & Venue	Reviewed by
Dec 13, 2008 - Fillmore Auditorium	ira

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