By: Fernanda Morales
We'll meet again in this third installment of Local Soundtrack, a series of articles in which you'll immerse yourself in the artists who give life and sound to the streets of San Miguel de Allende. You'll surely fill your playlist with one or another song from the bands on the local scene.
Today we bring you Pilaseca, a funk band that has been around for almost 23 years, having been formed around 1999; created by a group of “kids” originally from Mexico City, who came to live in the beautiful city of San Miguel de Allende looking for artistic inspiration to create original music.
Mama Mia Restaurant, one of the most emblematic in town, was the first to open its doors to them to play their music every weekend and thus, San Miguel became a music laboratory for them and as the years have passed, the members of the band have changed, new people and instruments have joined.
Today it is made up of Ariel Torres on drums, Mauricio Valdés on bass, Paco Rivera on vocals, Armando Servín on trumpet and Uriel Orozco on keyboards.
In the end, Pilaseca has been formed by musicians from different parts of the country (Mexico, Leon, Queretaro) and even from Brazil and the United States! But the central point to play is always San Miguel de Allende. The band has been active for 20 years playing original music and to date they have released three albums: Humo de cigarro (2000), Afrodisiaco (2004) and Mi suerte cambie (2011).
It is worth noting that her latest album has a great production behind it, as it was in charge of Thom Ruso, an American producer who has been nominated for the Grammy Awards on 14 occasions, and has also worked with artists such as Michael Jackson and Prince.
What does Pilaseca sound like?
Pilaseca is a party band, focused on Funk and Hip-hop with some Latin bases, incorporating a bit of pop. When you go to a show, most people go to dance and have a good time, to be in the present leaving their worries aside. The band has its fan base and it is very rare that they play a ballad (which they do have); in the latest album they address some philosophy, important breakups in our lives and even colors in the darkest parts.
Nowadays it is very difficult to get shows due to the pandemic and there are few forums for bands with original music that are moderately known. And Pilaseca does not have shows that frequently, but they have had the opportunity to participate in very important events in Mexico and the United States, including Vive Latino, Cumbre Tajín; as well as in large venues: Teatro Metropolitan, Lunario del Auditorio Nacional, to name a few.
Finally, many thanks to Pilaseca and to you who are reading this for being part of Local Soundtrack. Follow the band on their social networks: Instagram, Facebook and even Spotify so you can find out about their upcoming events and keep track of them. What song will you add to your playlist? Until next time!
