Latin Media Gurus Network» LAMC

LAMC – Music, Networking and Café Part I.

David Villafaña — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:40:37 +0000

www.cafemagazine.com/music

This past week I was invited by Cafe Magazine to visit New York CIty and join their team to introduce and promote their newest section, Café Con Música, at the 11th annual Latin Alternative Music Conference(LAMC).

I boarded a plane traveling from San Diego to New York, unsure of what I would ultimately encounter. It was my first trip to New York City, and was also my first time attending the LAMC, so you could imagine, everything was just so new to me.

I arrived, and headed over to Manhattan, meeting up with a friend who is studying at Columbia University, where I would be staying for the remainder of my trip.

The conference began and from the start people in line waiting to register began sharing their carefully thought out “soundbytes” and before you knew it conference attendees began to exchange information, demos and ideas about collaborating.

Ironically, within the first five minutes of having registered, I met a young graphic designer, producer and DJ, Andres Obregozo, who came all the way from Toronto, Canada to experience the LAMC for the first time.

We talked over the Spain vs Germany world cup semifinal in the Roosevelt Hotel’s lobby, and he mentioned his long bus ride from Toronto to New York City. When he arrived he took the subway to the hotel to only receive an unpleasant surprise. The shocking news was that the front desk attendees couldn’t find his badge or any sort of registration confirmation.

Andres Dj. From Toronto to New York City.

After a few stressful minutes, that seemed like an eternity to Andres, LAMC staff were able to find his badge and hand him his bag of LAMC goodies. He was finally at ease and able to dig into his bag. Thats what we all came for anyway, right?

A few minutes later as I walked back to the main lobby and pass the registration booths and I bump into a fella who seemed to be very excited he finally received his LAMC badge. A character to say the least, Manuel Izquierdo of Puerto Rican band, Habitat, was ready for a week of latin alternative.

We met and spoke about coming to NYC. He told me about the island and the story of his band. They were excited of coming to the LAMC in New York City since they just released their album, Cenizas, and were here to promote and do some important networking. I knew this guy was trouble from the beginning, and had to ask him what he played in the band. No surprise, the Man was Habitat’s drummer. Go Figure.

As we chatt and exchanged info, I introduced him to Jenn, another Café team member and for the remainder of the conference, he would call her “La Jefa!” At this point we noticed that we were being photographed and Manuel turns to greet the photographer in his Boricua lingo: “Coño, como estas!”

Turns out the photographer, Karlo X. Ramos, also Boricua, actually knew the Habitat boys, and actually directed a few of their music videos. Karlo introduced himself, and let us know that he wasn’t a creepy guy taking pictures of young boys, but was actually the official LAMC photographer. Karlo is a really talented photographer, and extremely professional. Well at least he carries himself that way. I haven’t seen any of his pictures, but hey, he bought me a beer, so hire him!

www.karloxramos.com

Karlo is the man, straight from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, same city where Habitat is from. You most definitely need to hire Karlo for your next event. He specializes in all sorts of media. This is what he says about himself:

I’m a digital designer whose knowledge and expertise spans different media venues. I’m very interested in how media can be shaped with the use of great design, creativity and art in order to create a powerful message that moves the individual.

Karlo is one those people that I was fortunate to meet at the LAMC and I can openly say that he is a Latin Media Guru. His videos are well done and he is a very cool dude.

As I headed back to our press table to finish setting up, I came across a group of young guys who are speaking some mean Portuguese, and I’m just wondering where they coming from. Brazil?? What part? Don’t tell me, Rio? There they were, the guys from Opiniao Publica, straight from the streets of Rio de Janiero, Cariocas for sure!

I wanted to learn more about them, and their trip. It was their first time at the LAMC, and they were so hyped to be in New York City sharing the rock brasileiro with everyone. They taught me a few lines, and I spoke in my broken Portuguese, all in all, it was great chatting with them since they were so high energy, I could only imagine what their live show would be like. Opiniao Publica came to LAMC and were ready to play since day 1. They invited me, but I couldn’t make it to their show in Queens since it was going on during the show later that evening at the Mercury Lounge.

Opiniao Publica @ Lamc 2010

Opiniao Publica, like many other bands, came to New York City, and took advantage of their stay to play a few shows while they were here. Habitat and Opiniao Publica played a set together at the D’Antigua venue in Queens, a place that also welcomed many other bands attending the LAMC.

We’re really excited to have been able to meet and networking with folks during the LAMC. Now comes the fun part: making it happen. I’d love to bring a few bands over to the West Coast, whether it be Mucho Wednesdays at La Cita or Mucho San Diego or Desmadre Tijuana. Rumor has it that some bands already are making plans to come to the west side!

Just in::Natalia Lafourcade @ LAMC

David Villafaña — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:17:02 +0000

So as July gets closer, we’ll being having some post about artists performing at this LAMC.

I just confirmed with our friends from Nacional Records that the talented songwriter Natalia Lafourcade will be performing at the LAMC in New York City.

Thats good news for everyone attending the 10th annual Latin Alternative Music Conference.

Check it out, Natalia will be playing two different sets on June 9th.

The first will be at the Bowery Ballroom for the LAMC showcase @ 4pm. The other set will be at S.O.B’s- Acoustic Showcase @ 8pm.

Don’t miss out on her performances because she’ll definately rock!

I’m especially stoked that Natalia will actually be coming in my hometown, San Diego, California on June 10th @ the Exa Showcase.

And Yes I do plan on going!

Her latest album was just released and I recommend you hit her up on www.myspace.com/natalialafourcade

Quick Fact : Did you know she participated on Julieta Venegas’ MTV Unplugged album??? Well she did.

Check out her latest stuff!

Complete Schedule of Panels – LAMC 2009

David Villafaña — Mon, 11 May 2009 05:53:20 +0000

**A MUST READ**

The Latin Alternative Music Conference soon approaches, and so we’ll be having lots of coverage on artists who will be performing at the event! Interesting enough, since we started our site, we have already featured a few of the headlining acts: Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, and Los Amigos Invisibles. We’re excited to find out that some of our favorites are going to be at the conference, hopefully you all can make it as well! We’ll also be providing coverage on the press and companies that are sponsoring the particular events. We want to give you some background information on the magazines, media groups, companies/business that are all collaborating with the scene! As for now, enjoy of the complete schedule, its a lot of information to digest, so read it over a few times so you won’t miss out on anything!! We’ll be providing some pre-coverage of the shows we feel are going to be worth while and also doing the same for the panels that are going to be a part of the LAMC. By the way, an inside source, a friend of Gurus has just confirmed to me that Natalia LaFourcade is going to be performing at S.O.B’s in New York on July 9th.

hasta la próxima,

2009 Panel Topics:

STAYING “VIVO” IN THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN: OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGING TIMES

RADIO RELEVANCE: DEBATING THE ROLE OF TERRESTRIAL STATIONS IN A DIGITAL AGE

YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY:TOURING SUCCESS STORIES & TRIBULATIONS

QUIERO SER TU “FRIEND”: SOCIAL NETWORKING, ONLINE ADVERTISING & MAKING A LIVING IN THE NEW MUSIC BUSINESS

POLITIK KILLS: LATIN ARTISTS & POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE ERA OF OBAMA

The Rest Of The 2009 Schedule Coming Soon!

LAMC Celebrates its 10th Anniversary!

Richard Goodman — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:02:52 +0000

The Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) is preparing to celebrate off its 10th anniversary this summer in New York City. The 10th Annual LAMC returns to New York City July 2009. As in past years, LAMC features panels and exhibitions, concerts, parties and art highlighting the best of Latin Alternative. LAMC is the only major conference geared towards the marketing of Spanish-language alternative music – the voice of today’s Latinos. This four-day event providing networking opportunities with the genre’s leading artists, label executives, journalists, managers, retailers and programmers, is the most extensive gathering of Latinos in entertainment to be offered by a music conference to date.

The ninth annual LAMC in 2008 saw 1,250 industry leaders converge on the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City to participate in industry panels, exhibitions, press conferences, and networking.

Over 30,000 music lovers and industry insiders attended LAMC concerts, parties and art exhibits, at great venues in New York and Los Angeles. www.latinalternative.com

INTERVIEW WITH TOMAS COOKMAN…Presidenente de NACIONAL RECORDS y Cookman International

LOS FABULOSOS CADILLACS::NEW ALBUM “LA LUZ DEL RITMO”

David Villafaña — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:34:55 +0000

A taste of Los Fabulosos Cadillacs…

The Argentine Rock/Ska/Reggae legends have now released their latest production, “La Luz Del Ritmo”, now available on i-tunes. LFC have embarked an intense US tour, hitting cities like LA, NY, CHICAGO and MIAMI, rocking every venue! I actually had the pleasure of seeing them in a completely packed Tijuana soccer stadium last november, a concert that went down as one of my top 5 shows ever! Full of energy and fire, “La Luz Del Ritmo” will most definately not let you down..This album is yet another project under Indie Latin label: NACIONAL RECORDS, who are also responsible for putting on the 10th Annual Latin Alternative Music Conference(LAMC)! Nacional CEO, Tomas Cookman and company are doing their share of work in bringing quality music to Latin Alternative aficionados en Los Estados Unidos….So show some love and go to i-tunes and download LFC new album today!! It even comes with an exclusive 54 minute documentary!! Andale, no seas codo….

Download today!