he beloved Los Angeles trailblazers Mariachi El Bronx are excited to announce the February 13 release of their new album, Mariachi El Bronx IV via ATO. The alter ego of punk rock heroes The Bronx, Mariachi El Bronx continues to embody the same ethos that sparked their creation – pushing creative boundaries while honouring the rich Hispanic music and culture that have always surrounded them in Los Angeles.
Clashing emotions of profound loss and overwhelming love have shaped ‘Mariachi El Bronx IV’ themes. The songwriting “started as a battle between love and death but became a way to process all the chaos of the world,” says lead vocalist Matt Caughthran. Throughout its 12 tracks, the band documents the stories of gamblers, former playboys, warriors, lovers – characters that became vessels for the specific pressures of being alive right now.
Today they also share the album’s high-octane opener, Forgive & Forget’. The track, which features Ray Suen on violin (Childish Gambino, Lorde), exemplifies the contrasting emotions found across the album and amidst its galloping rhythm Caughthran muses about someone “who’s completely dishevelled and a little washed out, looking back on their life in a way that’s kind of hazy,” he says. “There’s a little bit of hope there, but it’s pretty dark.”
With three critically acclaimed albums to their name, the eight-piece have shared stages with the Foo Fighters and the Killers, performed everywhere from Letterman to NPR’s Tiny Desk, and lit up festivals from Coachella to Glastonbury. They even lent their sound to TV, recording theme songs for Weeds (‘Little Boxes’) and Aqua Teen Hunger Force (‘Aqua Something You Know Whatever’).
Despite nearly two decades of success Mariachi El Bronx still considers themselves lifelong students of the artform. That reverence carries over to their iconic charro suits, which often attract nearly as much attention as the music itself. The band has long turned to Casa del Mariachi in Boyle Heights – a shop honoured by the city as a historic landmark – where Jorge Tello (aka Mr. George) has been handcrafting traditional suits for more than 50 years. “This band has always been about learning and exchanging culture through music and art,” says Caughthran. “That’s what it’s all about! Everything we do comes from the heart and soul.”
Alongside the release of Mariachi El Bronx IV, the band will hit the road in the US for a run of live shows celebrating their long-awaited comeback. Known for their electrifying performances and signature charro suits, Mariachi El Bronx will bring their powerful eight-piece sound to 4 select stages across Southern California and Mexico.
Mariachi El Bronx
Matt Caughthran (vocals), Joby J. Ford (guitar, vihuela, accordion), Jared Shavelson (drums), Keith Douglas (trumpet), Ray Suen (violin), Brad Magers (trumpet), Ken Horne (jarana), and Vincent Hidalgo (guitarrón)
MARIACHI EL BRONX
Alter Ego of Punk Rock Legends The Bronx
ANNOUNCE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN 12 YEARS
‘MARIACHI EL BRONX IV’
OUT FEBRUARY 13 VIA ATO
SHARE FIRST SINGLE
‘FORGIVE & FORGET’
