All posts tagged: musica

Música mexicana songsmith Armenta is writing his own destiny

Música mexicana songsmith Armenta is writing his own destiny

With more than 60 song credits, Armenta’s songwriting prowess can be heard across some of the most popular música mexicana albums to date, whether by Fuerza Regida, Tito Double P, Peso Pluma or Dareyes de la Sierra. “I consider myself a tailor,” said Armenta, 25. “[I’ll create] a sound that will be good with your vocal timbre, with your tones, with the vocal intention you need.” The singer-songwriter wrote Fuerza Regida’s gritty hit “Marlboro Rojo” in 45 minutes, ensuring that the song’s aggressive, battle-ready lyrics also captured a romantic spirit. (“The devil’s bullets and I only think of your eyes,” sang Jesús Ortiz Paz, a.k.a. JOP.) And he wrote “Dos Días” for Tito Double P and Peso Pluma one early morning after a wild night out with friends; you can hear the emotional hangover in the way the vocalists’ rugged voices flail in desperation. “The most important thing is always to convey something where people can immerse themselves in a feeling,” said Armenta, whose full name is Miguel Armenta. He dialed into our interview from …

Listen and dance to musica Mexicana at these 7 venues in Los Angeles

Listen and dance to musica Mexicana at these 7 venues in Los Angeles

Start the month off the right way by listening to live música Mexicana with a michelada. Keeping the party spirit of the beer cocktail alive, the family-owned Michelada brand hosts a boisterous pop-up party every first Friday of the month. The Lopez family (owners of Oaxacan restaurant Guelaguetza) began this tradition as a series of cumbia parties at local breweries for people to test their product. But as the event gained popularity, they began to rent out the Beehive, an event space in South L.A., to create a more immersive festival-like experience. Across several stages, DJs and live bandas play a lively mix of classic artists like Los Tucanas de Tijuana and newer groups like Fuerza Regida to a vast crowd. Over the years, First Fridays has become more than a vibrant dance floor, offering flash tattoo artists, hat vendors, a mechanical bull and a selection of local Mexican food. When exploring the open-air venue, odds are high you might run into their mascot, “the Miche Man,” someone dressed in a michelada piñata, responsible for …