Son Rompe Pera from Mexico [all ages] // San Jose
Wed, May 21st at 7pm, $22-$25 The Ritz, San Jose
When Son Rompe Pera formed in 2017, they probably never thought their musical journey would take them so far. They started busking on the street, playing weddings and flea markets, where they were discovered and hired to play shows across Mexico City and Chile.
In 2022, they recorded for NPR’s famous Tiny Desk Concerts, and last year they were invited to rock the stage at one of the most famous festivals in the world, Coachella. Son Rompe Pera plays primarily cumbia, but blends rock, marimba, and ska to create a fusion that keeps the hips shaking and the feet stomping. Make sure to get there early to slurp up the music of Spaghetti Cumbia.
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Biography:
Born and raised in the deep outskirts of Mexico City, the Gama brothers are keeping alive the rich legacy of marimba music running through their family with their latest project, Son Rompe Pera. While firmly rooted in the tradition of this historic instrument, their fresh take on this folk icon challenges its limits as never before, moving it into the garage/punk world of urban misfits and firmly planting it in the 21st century. Originally performing alongside their father at local events since they were kids, they now find themselves at the forefront of the contemporary international cumbia scene with their sonic explorations of the classic marimba.
Their absolute unique blend comes from a typical youthful rebellion, when as teenagers they left behind their upbringing on the marimba and began to play in various punk, rockabilly and ska bands. Now they’ve gone full circle with the marimba back leading the way, and mixing all of their influences together with their energetic take on the popular instrument, giving it a new twist never before seen in Mexican folk music.
