Pan Caliente: Superfónicos – El Miedo (Track Premiere)

Today we head to Austin, Texas, because there is always so much music going on there, even outside of those crazy weeks in March for SXSW. We focus on the fast-rising, eight-piece band who mesh Cumbia, Afrobeat and Funk called Superfónicos.

Bassist Nico Sanchez and guitarist Erick Bohorquez teamed up with guitarist Andres Villegas and percussionist Daniel Sanchez to form a band whose sound revolves around Afro-Colombian rhythms. But it wasn’t until Jaime Ospina, a vocalist and gaitero (Gaita is a Colombian flute), transplanted from Colombia to Austin and serendipitously joined Superfónicos that their sound really congealed.

Their latest EP, Suelta, is slated for release on October 5th and was recorded between Adrian Quesada’s Electric Deluxe Studio (Brownout, Black Pumas, Money Chicha) and Beto Martinez’s Leche House Studio (Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, Money Chicha). Beto also engineered the sessions. To add some extra funky star power, it was then mixed by Carlos “El Loco” Bedoya, who has worked with Missy Elliot, Beyonce and Chocquibtown.

Today we Premiere their track “El Miedo” with this bonus video.

“El Miedo” is based on the Colombian Merengue (not to be confused with the Dominican Merengue). Jaime Ospina’s Gaita and Raymond Johnson’s Tenor sax share a mid-song duel. The lyrics touch on the dangers of letting fear drive your decisions. “No tengas miedo no, el miedo mata si” (Translation: Don’t be afraid, because fear kills.)

If you’re headed out to Austin City Limits this fall, don’t be afraid to catch Superfónicos live on Weekend Two (Oct 14th). They are one funky band.