Locarno blends Mexican folk tradition with world roots at The Myrna Loy Thursday, April 4.
Founder of the Juno-award winning band The Paperboys, Tom Landa, brings his newest band Locarno to The Myrna Loy stage in Helena at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4.
Prepare for a lively evening of Latin folk fusion music, or what Landa likes to describe as an “amped up Mexican/Latin folk band.”
“We’re a Latin folk fusion band with a heavier emphasis on Mexican music or Mexican-inspired music,” he says. Most of their music is original compositions.” he says.
While the Paperboys are known for their Celtic influenced folk/pop, Locarno explores Landa’s Mexican heritage. He was born in Mexico City and lived there until he moved to Canada in his teens.
“We take different folkloric styles and use a more modern approach,” using electric guitar, fiddles, trombone, trumpet, bass drum, voices and more for a mix that Landa describes “quite varied and at times a bit jazzy.”
“It’s a really accessible show,” he adds. “We talk a lot about where the music comes from – the folk traditions. We also talk about the songs, what they’re about and the instruments.
The mix also is apt to incite toe-tapping. “It’s also incredibly danceable and very contagious – like catchy contagious,” says Landa.
They’ll be playing some songs from a new album they’re releasing later this year.
Locarno’s earlier release, “Una Mas Y Ya Nos Vamos” is a mix of Son Jarocho-inspired folk tunes with Afro-Cuban rhythms. It was nominated for a WCMA and garnered rave reviews.
The Vancouver Folk Fest said of the band, “Locarno are for audiences who enjoy great songwriting, a respect for tradition, a searching musical curiosity, and virtuosic performance skills. Locarno’s compelling blend of Mexican, Cuban, and North American popular music delivered with exuberant energy is a winning combination.”
They have appeared on the CBC, performed at the Luxembourg World Music Festival and regularly headline Canadian music festivals.
Tickets are $25 and are available at the box office, 15 N. Ewing, themyrnaloy.com or call 406-443-0287.