Is Pachanga a good place to start for someone whos looking to get into Latin music?
Adrian Quesada: It covers a fair amount of ground, and it’s still growing in terms of bringing national and international acts. In a good way, it’s still based in a lot of local music, but it definitely runs the gamut. D: Who are you looking forward to seeing? AQ: Charanga Cakewalk is always good live. I really like what Maneja Beto does. They take the cumbia rhythm and some traditional Mexican rhythms and update it. It’s somewhat indie and somewhat pop. When they first started, they were mainly playing cumbias, but as they grew, they turned into a band that created their own sound. They’re into bands that most people wouldn’t even think they’re into. I’ve heard them cover The Cure. They’re into The Smiths—things like that. But at the same time, they try to keep one foot planted in Latin music. D: Cumbia comes up a lot in articles about Grupo Fantasma, and it seems like a lot of Pachanga artists draw from that style. Can you explain the appeal of cumbia? AQ: It’s Afro-Colombian music t
