Mucho Gusto Fest 2023: introducing a new festival celebrating music without borders

La Perla is a Colombian Caribbean trio dedicated to preserving the region’s traditional musical heritage. Formed in 2014, Karen, Giovanna, and Diana joined forces after gaining individual expertise in playing gaitas, hand drums, and folk singing. Their talent and dedication were recognized in 2015 when they became the first band from Bogotá to win the prestigious Festival de Gaitas de Ovejas in Sucre, Colombia. This historic victory marked the second time in over 30 years that female artists were honored with this award.

Eduardo Arenas, a founding member of Chicano Batman, spearheads the revival of 90s cumbia-quebradita as É Arenas. Alongside his band, É Arenas & Las Iguanas del Mar, he delivers exhilarating live shows complete with mosh pits and crowd surfing.

Pablo Alcantara “mediopicky” is a producer, performer and DJ from the Dominican Republic, mixing sounds of bedroom pop, urban and electronic music with Afro-Caribbean genres. He was recently named one of Pitchfork’s 25 New and Rising Artists shaping the future of music in 2023. He has worked with the likes of Jarina de Marco, Sango, Diego Raposo, and has shared the stage with C Tangana, Bad Bunny, Tokischa, Vicente Garcia and more.

Behind Oakland, CA-based ensemble Orchestra GOLD’s original sound is Oakland’s cross-cultural powerhouse blending Mali traditions and American Rock/Funk with a retro twist. A decade-long collaboration between Mariam Diakite of Mali and Erich Huffaker creates a mesmerizing sound rooted in the past yet pushing boundaries towards a genre-bending future.

El Santo Golpe better translates to The Mighty Hit brings joy and connection. Born in Riverside, CA, in 2016, the group is made of close friends, family, and fellow artists with a shared vision and love for music. El Santo Golpe aims to bridge cultural gaps, transcend genres, and foster a global community through the universal language of music.

Founded by Dj Sizzle Fantastic and Normz la Oaxaqueña, Cumbiatón has rooted itself in the beautiful barrio of Boyle Heights, CA and has branched out to cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York. “Cumbiaton’s vision in all 4 cities is to center womxn, trans, and queer people of color both on the dance floor and in the Dj booth.”

Milpa is a collective of multi-instrumentalists, composers, poets, and cultural artists from the Inland Empire (San Bernardino/Riverside). The band explores the world of folkloric rhythms from Son Jarocho to Conga, Caribe to Angola, Pacífico beats, and tropic rodas. Milpa’s diverse energy has remained rooted in Afro-Indigenous music, poetry, dance, and community since 2009.

Quitapenas will immerse you in their rhythmic contagion. Born under the California sun, this tropical Afro-Latin combo draws inspiration from the radical decades of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. With echoes of Angola, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and more, each song becomes a liberating “remix of history.” Their name, meaning “to remove worries,” with a mission to make you dance and leave your troubles behind. Founded in 2011, QUITAPENAS unites a group of like-minded friends, first-generation sons of Guatemalan and Mexican immigrants, sharing a love for dance rhythms from the Tropical Afro-Latin diaspora.

La Papaya Club, an inspirational creation by DJ Eleanora, Dj Quilo, and the late-great Nectali “SUMOHAIR” Diaz, emerged during the early months of the pandemic. Originally launching with a 12-episode Instagram Live series, they aim to champion local activism, mutual aid, and the vibrant world of Tropical Diaspora music. As the world reopened, La Papaya Club transitioned from Instagram to multiple venues across LA, carrying their unique essence. This collective stands out by illuminating the diverse cultures within Latin America, emphasizing champeta, marimba, tropical, and folkloric sounds. Their musical selections are thoughtfully curated, celebrating the Afro-Latinx diaspora.

Representing Collectivo Mafia Tropical (SFV x LA), Niño has been crafting infectious TRAlicious tracks, igniting the dance floor and inspiring irresistible shaking. With a penchant for the gritty and raw essence of perreo and cumbia, he blends these traditional sounds with global music genres, resulting in his distinctive Tropical Sound that sets him apart.

Jeremy Sole is on a mission to unite cultures through music’s universal language. With DJ sets, remixes, and original compositions, he weaves together world sounds and experimental beats, creating a vibrant celebration of life. Collaborating with legends like Roy Ayers, Ben Harper, and Stevie Wonder, Sole’s influence extends far and wide.