By Brent Gordon, KCRW Volunteer and Producer for Raul Campos’ nightly show!
BG en la casa here. The second day of LAMC 2011 looked light on paper but feels just as full as the rest of the week. At least we got a little rest this morning with nothing starting too early, and following a tasty meal at a local brasserie, began assembling our studio to bring you the show and a host of artist interviews live from the conference.
We jumped into a couple cabs and rolled over to the Central Park Summerstage. The line to get inside stretched down outside the park and impressive for a weeknight, but with KCRW Afro-Peruvian favorite Novalima opening the show, it wasn’t a surprise that the park was limiting entrance before the show even started. We’ll be brining you Novalima’s live performance at the Summerstage and Raul’s boisterous backstage interview with the band tonight.
Following Novalima, Mexican singer/songwriter and rocker Ely Guerra took the stage for a crowd-pleasing set. The audience had swelled to maximum capacity and were really charged after these two acts, still anticipating Spain’s Jarabe de Palo.
The anxious crowd grew increasingly impatient and rowdy as some sound problems prevented the band from taking the stage for 30 minutes, but once things got settled, Jarabe de Palo rocked it out as expected. Pushing through the energetic masses we found Morning Becomes Eclectic Producer Ariana Morgenstern, attending LAMC not only to take in the freshest sounds of Latin Alternative, but also as a panelist Thursday with a host of luminaries addressing Bridging the Terrestrial and Digital Divide of Radio.
We rushed to beat the crowd out of the park so we could hop a fast cab over to renowned spot — The Mercury Lounge. Once again host to Indie Showcase this year featuring Pablo Malaurie, Elastic Bond, Jazzimondo, Poncho, La Vida Boheme, and Superlitio. It was tight quarters in the packed venue, but we ran into Ariana again before calling it a night and grabbing some kebab and then a cab back to the hotel.
Tomorrow is super dense. Raul intros two panels, brings you his show from the conference, plus a packed Acoustic Showcase at SOB’s, followed by a huge night of music hosted by Raul at The Bowery Ballroom, including Diego Garcia.
Follow all the action on the LAMC Blog Page – complete with LAMC Tweets and the visual journey through KCRW’s Instagr.am!
– Brent
KCRW DJ Raul Campos Raul Campos has played host for the last 4 years of LAMC. Raul’s critically acclaimed mix CD “Loteria Beats Volume 1″ has opened the door to release the 2nd volume, due just in time for the 12th annual LAMC. Visit Raul’s show page to catch his streaming broadcasts on Thursday 6/7 and Friday 6/8 from LAMC.
Follow Raul on Twitter: @RaulCampos