Tag Archives: David Garza

Lila Downs Signs Management Deal with Cosmica Artists

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Lila Downs has new out-of-this-world representation…

The 56-year-old Mexican Grammy– and Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has signed a management deal with Cosmica Artists.

Lila DownsThe indie record label and company represents Latin talent from alternative genres across Los Angeles, Miami, Austin and Mexico City.

“Reaching our 20 year anniversary at Cosmica Artists is such a proud moment for me as I started this as a one person company, stuffing manilla envelopes with burned promo CDs, xeroxed bios and EPK’s,” Gil Gastelum, founder of Cosmica, tells Variety. “Our new signings usher in a new chapter for Cosmica Artists, as we begin to navigate the future with confidence and pride. Looking at distribution, marketing, publishing, sync, and touring partners future and present has us all ready for the next 20 years.”

Downs incorporates indigenous Mexican influences and has recorded songs in many indigenous languages such as Mixtec, Zapotec, Mayan, Nahuatl and Purépecha.

Downs recently won best folk album at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards for her latest record, Balas y Chocolate.

The Cosmica team spearheaded the return of Mexican singer/songwriter Carla Morrison and her sold out show at the Hollywood Bowl. Most recently, Guatemalan artist Gaby Moreno won a Grammy for best Latin pop album, and claimed multiple Latin Grammy wins.

Cosmica also supported Mexican-American producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, David Garza on his pair of Grammy wins for co-producing Fiona Apple’s “Fetch the Bolt Cutters”(best alternative album and song).

“It’s been an amazing journey filled with ups and downs, exhilarating highs and thrown under the bus lows,” said Gastelum “We’ve taken it all in and we keep going. I take great pride in working with an amazing staff and roster of talent as we work hard to create a safe and creative space for all of us.”

Other signings include up-and-coming artists Victor Internet and Loyal Lobos.

Gaby Moreno to Host Tribute Concert for the Families of the Victims of the Uvalde School Shooting

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Gaby Moreno is preparing for a night of healing for the Uvalde, Texas community…

When the 40-year-old Guatemalan singer-songwriter and guitarist received a notification on her phone about the Uvalde, Texas, mass shooting last week, her first thought was: “Oh my God, here we go again.”

Gaby MorenoThe response was the same one that many people had when news broke about a gunman opening fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde — a small, predominantly Hispanic city west of San Antonio — killing 19 children and two teachers.

“I started seeing the number of people killed going higher and higher with 19 kids murdered, it’s just really heartbreaking,” says Moreno. “And then you start reading the stories about the families and these little kids that were just so beautiful. It’s absolutely devastating. I felt outraged like most people.”

Moreno is now turning that outrage into action.

Her upcoming show in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 4, which was planned originally as a celebratory show in honor of her recently released album Alegoría, has now turned into a tribute concert with 100% of the proceeds going toward the victims’ families.

It’s a decision that was made jointly with her musicians and special guests Watkins Family Hour days after the tragedy.

“My friend David Garza, who will be performing with me that night, suggested it and I was like, absolutely yes, this is what we need to do,” she says, explaining that the money raised via ticket sales will be directly donated to the GoFundMe page set up for the families. “I knew I had to do something about it. I just couldn’t sit … My heart was breaking and it still is. I’m also thankful to all the musicians who will be part of this concert and they’re donating their time and fees.”

Furthermore, Moreno has also made a “pretty big” personal decision. After living in the U.S. for 20 years as a resident, she’s applying for citizenship. “My decision was directly related to what happened with this attack. I want to vote. I want to have a say. Enough is enough! I’ve lived in this country for way too long and what’s happening is now affecting all of us. In this case, directly affecting my Latino community.”

Saturday’s show will be a night of healing, Moreno says. “We’re coming together to enjoy some music with friends, with our community knowing we’re doing it to help others. I’ll be playing a lot of songs from my new album, older songs, a big band on stage with horns. I’m really excited to share all this music and to have an uplifting evening.”

Moreno adds that artists should feel a sense of responsibility when it comes to taking action and speaking up after events like this one. “You should feel grateful that you have your art and do really good things with it. But we should all be taking action. We should all be on our phones calling our representatives and demanding action. A lot of people are outraged the first week but then it dies down and we can’t let that happen. We need to keep putting pressure. That’s going to be what really brings some change.”

Ticket purchases or donations can be made here.

Edward James Olmos to Take Part in Biden Inaugural Committee’s “Latino Inaugural 2021: Inheritance, Resilience, and Promise” Event

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Edward James Olmos is preparing to celebrate the resilience and promise of the Latino community in the United States…

President-elect Joe Biden’s inaugural committee has announced a Tuesday night event, featuring the 73-year-old Mexican American actor, director, producer, and activist, that shines a spotlight on the Latino community.

Edward James Olmos

Entitled Latino Inaugural 2021: Inheritance, Resilience, and Promise, the event will be hosted by Eva Longoria.

It will feature appearances by Olmos, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Leguizamo, Rita Moreno, Ivy Queen and Becky G.

There also will be performances from Gilberto Santa Rosa and Gaby Moreno, featuring David Garza, Emilio Estefan and All-Star Tejanos United – Stefani Montiel, Jose Posada, Shelly Lares, DJ Kane and Mariachi Nuevo Santander from Roma High School.

Emilio Estefan produced a performance of One World, One Prayer by the Wailers, featuring Skip Marley, Farruko, Shaggy and Cedella Marley.

The event will take palace on Tuesday, January 19 at 9:30 pm ET

 

It’s part of a series of events that will highlight the nation’s diversity, including the AAPI Inaugural Ball: Breaking Barriers, celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities; and We Are One, celebrating Black Americans.