Palenke Soultribe
Encyclopedia
Palenke Soultribe is a live electronic music trio fusing electronic sounds with Afro-Colombian rhythms and melodies. Originally formed in Colombia, but now based in Los Angeles, Palenke Soultribe (a.k.a. PST) have claimed a spot in the Latin Alternative music world by putting on energetic shows, releasing musically interesting albums and remixes and always pushing the envelope visually and conceptually. The initial line up was formed by producer/bassist Juan Diego Borda and keyboardist/producer Andres "Popa" Erazo. From 2009-2011, the duo was joined by drummer Andres Zuluaga. Currently, PST continues to work as a collective, inviting guest producers, singers, songwriters and instrumentalists to their shows and to contribute on their albums.
is also the name given to a Maya city in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century, Palenke Soultribe actually derives their name from the village of San Basilio de Palenque
, a village inhabited by escaped slaves as a refuge in the 17th century. The word ‘palenque’ actually means “walled city”. Of the many palenques of escaped slaves that existed previously, San Basilio is the only one that survives. These refugees were able to bring their culture, music and traditions to the small villages they formed in the jungle. The palenques are considered by many as the first free territory on the continent. As for the origins of 'Soultribe', Borda elaborates that "we just feel like we are a collective of musicians based on the soul, wanting to do great art".
, Colombia
. That collaboration ended up being one of the most watched videos on MTV3
nominated band Kinky (band)
), Grammy Award
Winner Sr. Mendez, Miami's own Latin Grammy Award nominated band Locos Por Juana
, Mr. Vallentao and Elastic Bond. Oro was mixed by Mark Needham who had previously worked with The Killers, Cake, Bloc Party
, and Fleetwood Mac
among others. Critics and fans received Oro positively, and it was considered their breakthrough album, receiving reviews by KCRW
89.9 and Billboard Magazine
. Additionally, it was nominated once again by the Independent Music Awards.
It was also during this year, that prominent Los Angeles radio station KCRW, selected one song off the album, "No Voy a Morir" as Today's Top Tune.
, Colombia. Using the original session recordings from legends like Petrona Martinez (Grammy Award
Nominee), Batata (Tambor Legend), Son Palenque and Sexteto Tabala, PST are re-interpreting these sounds for a new generation of listeners.
Origins
The origins of the band go all the way back to 2001 when Erazo and Borda worked on demos through a project known as Polaina Dinamita. That experiment created an underground buzz in their hometown of Bogota, Colombia, pioneering the experimental fusion of electronica with Caribbean music. Late in 2006, after completing personal projects, the duo decided to reunite in Los Angeles and start producing music again. This time, they took on a new name, Palenke Soultribe, narrowing down their sources of music. This time around PST would be more focused on exploring Afro–Colombian rhythms rather than incorporating all Latin-American music.The Band’s Name
Although PalenquePalenque
Palenque was a Maya city state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century. The Palenque ruins date back to 100 BC to its fall around 800 AD...
is also the name given to a Maya city in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century, Palenke Soultribe actually derives their name from the village of San Basilio de Palenque
San Basilio de Palenque
San Basilio de Palenque or Palenque de San Basilio is a Palenque village and corregimiento in the Municipality of Mahates, Bolivar in northern Colombia. In 2005 the village was declared Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO...
, a village inhabited by escaped slaves as a refuge in the 17th century. The word ‘palenque’ actually means “walled city”. Of the many palenques of escaped slaves that existed previously, San Basilio is the only one that survives. These refugees were able to bring their culture, music and traditions to the small villages they formed in the jungle. The palenques are considered by many as the first free territory on the continent. As for the origins of 'Soultribe', Borda elaborates that "we just feel like we are a collective of musicians based on the soul, wanting to do great art".
Te Veo Video (2010)
Following the release of Oro, Palenke teamed up with Miguel Navarro to film the video for their single Te Veo, on location in BogotaBogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. That collaboration ended up being one of the most watched videos on MTV3
Oro (2009)
After a vibrant 2008, full of live shows in the USA, Palenke began work on their first professionally recorded album. Oro was the first of a planned trilogy, and featured eight songs and collaborations courtesy of top artists, including Cesar Pliego (of Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominated band Kinky (band)
Kinky (band)
Kinky is a five-member band from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, formed in 1998 as part of the Avanzada Regia musical movement and consisting of Gilberto Cerezo, Ulises Lozano, Carlos Chairez, Omar Góngora, and Cesar Pliego. The band's music is heavily influenced by Latin music, rock, dance, and...
), Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
Winner Sr. Mendez, Miami's own Latin Grammy Award nominated band Locos Por Juana
Locos Por Juana
Locos Por Juana is a bilingual Latin band most notably recognized by their energetic live performances and their unique fusion of Latin styles and influences. The band formed in Miami, Florida in the year 2000, though their lineup has undergone personnel changes and their style evolved over the years...
, Mr. Vallentao and Elastic Bond. Oro was mixed by Mark Needham who had previously worked with The Killers, Cake, Bloc Party
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
, and Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
among others. Critics and fans received Oro positively, and it was considered their breakthrough album, receiving reviews by KCRW
KCRW
KCRW is a public radio station broadcasting from the campus of Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California, carrying a mix of National Public Radio news, talk radio and freeform music format. The general manager of KCRW is Jennifer Ferro...
89.9 and Billboard Magazine
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
. Additionally, it was nominated once again by the Independent Music Awards.
It was also during this year, that prominent Los Angeles radio station KCRW, selected one song off the album, "No Voy a Morir" as Today's Top Tune.
Tropic and Heaven (2007)
Tropic and Heaven was a continuous mix CD with 10 tracks combining Colombian rhythms with electro break beats and house. Although produced in a home studio, this album was well received by critics and fans. As a result, PST won the Independent Music Award in the Dance/Electronica category.Folkloric Deconstruktion (2005)
This first work was a vinyl EP consisting of four dance songs featuring live accordion and Colombian percussion. The record was distributed independently by WC-Music and created a small buzz within the LA DJ scene. That EP gave Palenke the motivation to create their first full-length album.2010
- South by SouthwestSouth by SouthwestSouth by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
(SXSW), Austin, TexasAustin, TexasAustin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. Spinner.com interview. - Winter Music ConferenceWinter Music ConferenceThe Winter Music Conference is a weeklong electronic music conference, held every March since the mid-1980s in Miami, Florida, United States. Venues are hosted primarily in Downtown Miami and Miami's South Beach...
, Miami, FloridaMiami, FloridaMiami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. Miami New Times interview and review. - Los Premios Shock, ColombiaColombiaColombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, alongside fellow Colombian bands SuperlitioSuperlitioSuperlitio is a Latin rock band from Cali, Colombia formed in 1997. Its members are Pedro Rovetto , Pipe Bravo , Alejandro Lozano , Armando Gonzalez and Dino Leandro .-History:...
and Locos Por JuanaLocos Por JuanaLocos Por Juana is a bilingual Latin band most notably recognized by their energetic live performances and their unique fusion of Latin styles and influences. The band formed in Miami, Florida in the year 2000, though their lineup has undergone personnel changes and their style evolved over the years...
. - Festival Estereo Picnic, BogotaBogotáBogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, ColombiaColombiaColombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. - Sunset Junction Street Festival
Present
Currently PST are completing a new compilation, tentatively titled ‘Palenque vs. Palenke’. For their latest project, they have revisited timeless Afro-Colombian classics from the masters of San Basilio de PalenqueSan Basilio de Palenque
San Basilio de Palenque or Palenque de San Basilio is a Palenque village and corregimiento in the Municipality of Mahates, Bolivar in northern Colombia. In 2005 the village was declared Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO...
, Colombia. Using the original session recordings from legends like Petrona Martinez (Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
Nominee), Batata (Tambor Legend), Son Palenque and Sexteto Tabala, PST are re-interpreting these sounds for a new generation of listeners.
Discography
- Wepalenke. EP (2010)
- Oro. Album (2009)
- Tropico y Cielo. Remixes (2008)
- Tropic N Heaven. Album (2007)
- Folkloric De/konstruction (CD y Vinyl). EP (2005)
- Melodie Lounge. Compilation (2005)