Y La Bamba has been many things, but at the heart of it is singer-songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza’s inquisitive sense of self. Y La Bamba will release Mujeres on February 8 via Tender Loving Empire, an album that carries on the Portland-based band’s affinity for spiritual contemplation. Today, Y La Bamba have released the Dream Disco video for “Boca Llena”, a song about the tools Luz gained through trauma and what she learned to see through difficult times.
Luz expands on “Boca Llena”:
“This video was filmed by AJ Molle and co-directed by us both. I have been growing into my vision allowing myself to explore my creativity in other mediums. It’s important to me to bring light into all that I do. I am so grateful for my friends and for their support. We made up this dance to wiggle it out with no front. I always want to celebrate how vulnerable I am. I am here to share what it’s like to not hold back. The women that joined me on this crazy production adventure of mine are Vauhgn Kimmons (aka Brown Alice), Mia O’Connor-Smith and Isabeau Waia’u Walker. They are goddesses and powerful allies in my life and our community, together we move through shit. This song is about everything that I have been taking in so far until this point. It is about the things that I see and often feel, that due to the distractions and false ideals society forces on to some, parts of the world don’t see.
I feel it so deep, exhausted by the pain, beauty, discovery, inspiration and mystery in this reality. This leads me to this phrase of how I feel I exist with everything surrounding me.”Cancion de vida, palabra tierna, y boca llena de pura maldciion.” I talk about about wanting to be seen by my father. The abuse in his misogyny has made the relationship we have now. I claim I have my mothers eyes and that I’m whole and beautiful like her. It’s been an interesting journey in reclaiming my strength my power to protect my mother from all of the years that were robbed from her and from me. This song is about the tools I have gained through trauma and all the details that I have learned to see through difficult times.”
NPR called the title track to Mujeres, “A battle cry against machismo” and one of the ‘Best Songs of 2018‘ saying, “It’s an indication that Mendoza is becoming a visionary, and that her band continues to intrigue as it evolves.” The NY Times notes, “Mendoza’s voice is the X factor, ranging from forceful and strong to bright, sweet and vibrato-filled… global without sounding kitschy or like it’s lost its experimental edge.”
Mujeres exists in the landscape of a national identity crisis, and Mendoza explores what it means to be a Mexican American woman by leading us through places we are afraid to go. Mujeres ventures in to the discomfort of the stories we tell ourselves. Those of our past, our futures. We all have these stories somewhere inside of us, but with Y La Bamba, Mendoza forges new narratives from old stories of heritage and family, tracing history while forging modern chicana feminism.
Y La Bamba hit the road the day after album release, adding a run of dates in the spring. A full list of tour dates can be found below with more to be added,
Y La Bamba Tour Dates
Feb 09 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Feb 10 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor tavern
Feb 12 – Sacramento, CA @ Momo (Harlow’s Upstairs)
Feb 13 – Chico, CA @ The Argus Bar
Feb 14 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
Feb 15 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe’s Alley
Feb 16 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
Feb 17 – Tustin, CA @ Marty’s on Newport
Feb 18 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
Feb 19 – Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole
Feb 20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar
Feb 21 – Truth or Consequences, NM @ TORC Brewing Co
Feb 22 – Silver City, CA @ Opera House
Feb 23 – Santa Fe, NM @ Ghost
Feb 24 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
Mar 12-16 – Austin, TX – SXSW
Mar 21-23 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Fest
Apr 09 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Apr 10 – Washington, DC @ Songbyrd
Apr 11 – Brooklyn, NY @ BRIC
Apr 12 – New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine
Apr 13 – Kingston, NY @ BSP Kingston
Apr 14 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East – Upstairs
Apr 15 – Burlington, VT @ Nectar’s