Pan Caliente: Maria Del Pilar

Chilean born Maria Del Pilar is no stranger to LA’s music scene or to KCRW.

In the early aughts, she was the front woman of the now defunct Los Angeles-based, powerhouse quartet, Los Abandoned. She released a great self-titled album in 2009 (as Pilar Diaz), and in 2015 reinvented herself under the Maria Del Pilar handle with another solid release entitled, Songs + Canciones I.

She performed this past June at one of our Summer Nights at the Hammer Museum alongside Amber Mark, and has gotten airplay from the likes of Travis Holcombe and Raul Campos.

Maria Del Pilar recently released a freshly recorded single that features her penchant for ’80s-influenced melodies and signature bilingual lyrics. “Original Dreamers” features a catchy new wave-y refrain that envelopes the theme and almost makes you forget that the lyrics are slightly politically-tinged.

This new single carries with it the added bonus of being MDP’s tribute to DACA DREAMer recipients, as well as a nod to her mother’s life and courage to “leave a less than ideal place and risk it all for something better.”

“Original Dreamers” also serves as the perfect teaser to Maria Del Pilar’s forthcoming album, Songs + Canciones II, produced by Filip Nikolic of Poolside. It is set for release November 2, and features collaborations and performances with members of Fitz and the Tantrums, No Doubt, Las Cafeteras, & Chicano Batman.

From what I’ve heard so far, Song + Canciones II will be a true marker in Maria Del Pilar’s career. She’s unapologetically embraced her ability to craft great pop earwigs y va con todo!