On 5/19/10 Secret Stash Records stopped by the Radio K studios to discuss our trip to Peru. We spun some funk, chicha, and Afro-Peruvian wax that we dug up on our trip. We also shared some of the tracks we recorded down there. You can check out the entire set below.
Enjoy,
SSR
Twin Cities Record Sale
It’s time for another record sale in Saint Paul! They’ve added a large amount of new stock, as well as enlisted various local DJs to entertain you while you dig. This is bigger than the last one! There will be lots of new vinyl stock (LPs, 45s), some posters, books, videos and a smattering of CDs. There will also be a larger than usual amount of jazz vinyl. See below for more details.
Sellers:
Let It Be Records
GoJohnnyGo
Riffs-Ahoy
Dates and Location:
Friday May 14th 4 PM – 10 PM
Saturday May 15th 10 AM – 8 PM
Sunday May 16th Noon – 4 PM
Sale Location (same as last time): 2285 University Avenue, St. Paul
It is being held in the ‘party room’ of the Carlton Lofts buildings, which is located between the two loft buildings. There is plenty of free parking on University. Of course, the sale is free as well! For directions help, is it 2 blocks west of the Vandalia/Interstate 94 exit. Take the exit, go North and then left onto University. Or it is 4 blocks east of the 280/Interstate 94 University exit. The 16 bus line runs right past as well.
Getting To The Roots Of Afro-Peruvian Culture
On 4/15/10 we met up with Miki Gonzalez and the Ballumbrosio twins (sons of the infamous Amador Ballumbrosio) in Miki’s studio in Lima, Peru. Miki (one of Peru’s biggest rock stars) offered some incredible insight into Afro-Peruvian music and the Ballumbrosios showed us the dances that are truly at the root of Afro-Peruvian music and culture. Miki is the twins’ godfather. He is one of the first (and only) non-Africans to be accepted into El Carmen in such an intimate way. The twins’ father, Amador Ballumbrosio is widely considered to be the godfather of the Afro-Peruvian revival. Miki explained how it was an incredible thing for us to learn the Zapateo (an Afro-Peruvian dance) directly from the twins. He said we were getting our masters degree in Zapateo.
When Miki heard we were in town and what we were up to, he instantly invited us out to his studio. It seemed as though everyone we came across in Lima was completely thrilled to share what they could of Afro-Peruvian music with us. Miki and the twins were no exception. This video is just a tiny little peek at the time we spent with them. We hope you enjoy it!
Music, an important part of Peruvian culture
On our first day in Lima we stopped off for some mid-day ceviche and pisco sours in a small local restaurant that was built right off of the owner’s house. He came out right after we ordered and chatted with us for a while. We told him what we were in town for and that Cory plays Afro-Peruvian music. He pulled a guitar off the wall that we were sure was only there for decoration and asked Cory to play for him. Cory started playing a Festejo and the shop owner quickly joined in singing and even playing the cajon. Then he and Cory played a classic Cuban Son (a form of Cuban folk music) together and all the other customers in the restaurant joined in.
Technically speaking, what we witnessed that afternoon was nothing special to speak of. What moved us in a very profound way was the realization that music is so tightly woven into the fabric of their culture. It was all about feeling good and enjoying the moment together with those around, even if they were strangers. This would be the first of many examples we’d witness first hand that illustrates this cultures love of music. It was one of the most fun experiences of our lives. Check out this video clip to see it for yourself.
Secret Stash Goes To Peru Part 1
Last week we sat down with Peruvian percussionist Chico Chavez in our Minneapolis studios. He spent a lot of time sharing some insight about Afro-Peruvian music and culture. He also performed some examples of different styles of the genre with our VP of production (and guitar ninja) Cory Wong. Here is a tiny little sample of the footage we captured during our time with Chico last week.
Secret Stash Goes To Peru
Since the invention of recording technology, people all over the world have utilized it to capture music to be enjoyed over and over again. Often times, especially with today’s technology, recordings from one region travel thousands of miles across the globe and are enjoyed by a whole new audience. But, every once in a while an incredible form of music hardly seems to make it past the borders of the nation in which it was created. Such is the case with Afro-Peruvian music. Only a small handful of this music has ever been compiled and released outside of Peru. This spring Secret Stash Records will set out to change that.
On April 11th Minneapolis based Secret Stash Records is traveling to Lima in search of Afro-Peruvian music. A group of 3 people from the label will stay in the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco and record local talent. In addition to the recording project, they are also making the long journey in an effort to discover rare and lost recordings to reissue. They will film their entire adventure and compile a documentary detailing their experiences upon their return.
“We’ve been very fortunate to get hooked up with some very key players in the Afro-Peruvian scene. It’s been absolutely amazing to see the response of the Peruvians to our inquiries,” said Cory Wong, the label’s VP of Production. “They are just thrilled to see a group from the US so interested in not only their music, but their culture. They possess an incredible sense of pride in this music and are excited to share it with outsiders. You can’t really compare it to anything here in the states,” he added.
The beginning of this project can be traced back to Wong’s guitar studies in Saint Paul, MN with Lima native Andres Prado in 2007. It was during his time with Prado that Cory was first exposed to Afro-Peruvian music. Eventually he shared it with the rest of the Secret Stash staffers. The label instantly cooked up a plan to head down to Lima and compile new and old collections of Afro-Peruvian music for release throughout the word. Next week, they will finally make the journey, document every moment of it, and share their findings with music lovers everywhere. Be sure to check back right here for live updates from the guys while they are on their journey.