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Alt.Latino

NPR

The global Latinx community is evolving and growing fast. Alt.Latino is here to celebrate it and all of its nuances through music. Each episode, NPR Music's Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with a different living legend or rising star to discuss Latinx culture, heritage, and the shared borders of our experiences. Let the chisme begin!

Location:

Austin, TX

Networks:

NPR

Description:

The global Latinx community is evolving and growing fast. Alt.Latino is here to celebrate it and all of its nuances through music. Each episode, NPR Music's Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with a different living legend or rising star to discuss Latinx culture, heritage, and the shared borders of our experiences. Let the chisme begin!

Language:

Spanish


Episodes

Dissecting the Latin Grammy noms, from Regional Mexican snubs to Edgar Barrera love

9/20/2023
Anamaria Sayre, Felix Contreras and producer Isabella Gomez Sarmiento sit down to talk some real chisme this week — a special episode dedicated to the Latin Grammy nominations. Was there really a regional snub and what does it say about the way we choose to elevate our own art? Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:28:16

It's 'El Tiny' season — and Alt.Latino has the lineup

9/13/2023
This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras preview the artists coming to play Tiny Desk performances for their 'El Tiny' takeover, including indie explosion Kali Uchis returning home to Colombian beats, pop star Becky G debuting some Mexican regional soul and "La Caballota" herself Ivy Queen boasting pure boricua pride. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Cher Vincent. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:22:50

Omar Montes: Why the Spanish artist thinks the best school for flamenco is the street

8/30/2023
Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with Spanish artist Omar Montes to talk about why he'll never lose his flamenco influences, expressing the oppression of his Romani ancestors in his music and why the rhythms of reggaeton and flamenco aren't so different. This interview is in Spanish. Please find an English version of the conversation on our website. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was mixed by Janice Llamoca, with help from Isabella Gomez Sarmiento and Natalia Fidelholtz. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:31:41

Alt.Latino's Best New Music Round-Up: DannyLux, Kali Uchis and Dario Acosta Teich

8/16/2023
This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite music from the last few months, including Mexican bedroom pop from Bratty, jazz from Argentinian composer Dario Acosta Teich, a new song from rising regional star DannyLux and more. To hear more of Alt.Latino's favorite music, follow our Spotify and Apple Music playlists. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited, mixed and produced by Janice Llamoca. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:25:53

Eladio Carrión: Why the athlete-turned-rapper thinks everything in life is practice

8/2/2023
Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with the Puerto Rican hip-hop artist Eladio Carrión to discuss what drives him, learning Spanish through music and how he's changing the game of Latin rap. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Cher Vincent, with production support from Suraya Mohamed and Robin Hilton. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento also provided production and editorial support for this episode. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:26:36

YEИDRY: How she uses music to bridge her Dominican roots and Italian upbringing

7/19/2023
Anamaria Sayre speaks with YEИDRY, the Dominican-born, Italian-raised singer about using music as a tool to marry her two worlds. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:29:47

Alt.Latino presents the best music of 2023 (so far)

7/5/2023
Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite albums of 2023 so far, from the modern corridos tumbados of Peso Pluma, a new, reimagined version of one of Fito Paez's greatest albums, dream pop from Y La Bamba and more. Plus: a run down of regional Mexican's current explosion. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:31:02

Sheila E.: On how faith and family shaped the drummer's eclectic music career

6/21/2023
Felix Contreras sits down with percussion icon Sheila Escovedo, aka Sheila E., to talk about the influence of the Bay Area on her music, holding her own in the face of music industry sexism and why drumming is a language of its own. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:33:57

Alt.Latino's Best New Music Round-Up: Eduardo Cabra, Santa Fe Klan and Elsa y Elmar

6/7/2023
This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite music from the last few months, including new work from the prolific Eduardo Cabra, surprisingly straight-ahead regional from Santa Fe Klan and a premiere of a new song from Elsa y Elmar.

Duration:00:24:01

Mabe Fratti: The cellist on the importance of imperfection and going to extremes

5/24/2023
Anamaria Sayre sits down with the experimental, Guatemalan cellist Mabe Fratti to discuss the admiration she's developed for imperfection, finding a musical community in Mexico City and how religion sparked a personal rebellion. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Robin Hilton. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:36:57

Karol G: Why the Colombian superstar will never stop being a 'happy heartbreak girl'

5/17/2023
While coming up with the concept for her new album Mañana Será Bonito, Colombian superstar Karol G had an epiphany that would change her life: what if she was just more herself? Anamaria Sayre sits down with global superstar Karol G to chat her latest evolution. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Robin Hilton. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:29:11

Alt.Latino's Best New Music Round-Up: Bad Bunny, Grupo Frontera, Becky G and more

4/26/2023
This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite music from the last few months, kicking things off with a surprising collab from Bad Bunny and regional Mexican group Grupo Frontera. Plus, new music from Becky G, Gaby Moreno, Esteman and more. This episode of 'Alt.Latino' was produced by Robin Hilton. Our editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistants are Jerusalem Truth and Sofia Seidel and our intern is Pilar Galván. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

Duration:00:25:40

La Brega: Bonus Track — Songs for the Future of Puerto Rico

4/14/2023
From our friends at WNYC Studios and Futuro Studios, today we're sharing an episode from the latest season of the podcast La Brega — which traces the history of Puerto Rican music across eight transformative songs. In this special bonus episode of the show, La Brega goes behind the music with the artists featured on La Brega: El Álbum — including RaiNao, Xenia Rubinos, ÌFÉ and Ana Macho. La Brega: El Álbum is sponsored by Marguerite Casey Foundation. This season of La Brega is made possible by the Mellon Foundation.

Duration:00:32:06

Girl Ultra: On Mexico City's 'haunted' energy and why she secretly loves sad songs

4/12/2023
Across her evolving discography, which includes everything from R&B ballads to danceable electronic beats, Girl Ultra has solidified her approach to deep, dark songs of love and heartbreak. In this episode, Anamaria Sayre sits down with the up-and-coming Mexico City singer to talk lost loves, why the city is "haunted" and how she copes with a nostalgic heart.

Duration:00:33:36

Camilo Lara: How Mexico's musical 'double agent' seeks a universal dance floor

3/29/2023
Anamaria Sayre sits down with world-building producer and Mexican Institute of Sound frontman Camilo Lara to talk about using his fearless intuition to help artists find their voice in the burgeoning hub of Latin music.

Duration:00:29:25

Radio Ambulante: Getting Down

3/20/2023
From our friends at Radio Ambulante, today we're sharing a thought provoking episode from their latest season. Puerto Rican Patricia Velasquez has spent her whole life listening to reggaeton. It's part of her identity. But when she was questioned about the content of the songs, she began an investigation that would lead her to create something completely new about the musical genre. This episode is in Spanish.

Duration:00:46:11

Julieta Venegas: Why the Mexican pop icon wouldn't call herself a pioneer

3/15/2023
Anamaria Sayre sits down with Mexican pop icon Julieta Venegas to discuss her role as a trailblazing female vocalist and mom to a daughter with impeccably cool music taste.

Duration:00:28:21

Alt.Latino's Best New Music Round-Up: Karol G, Y La Bamba, The Latin Dead and more

3/1/2023
Our digital mailbag continues to overflow with tons of new music from every corner of the Spanish-speaking world. Yet even as we update our weekly playlists on both Spotify and Apple Music, we still have tracks that we think you need to hear. On this week's show, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite new music from the last few months.

Duration:00:22:19

Adrian Quesada: How the U.S.-Mexico border shaped the prolific producer's fluid sound

2/15/2023
Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with prolific producer and creator Adrian Quesada to discuss his experimental approach to border-driven sonic expression.

Duration:00:27:42

Cimafunk: How his Afro-Cuban funk tells a bigger story about the African diaspora

2/1/2023
Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with Cimafunk to talk about how he's created his singular sound, the complex African lineage of his music and why his band is his "tribe."

Duration:00:33:35