A border band is a band that lives on or near an international border or state border of significance, where the duality of their location influences the music they create. Happy will be bringing you some of that headspace in the coming weeks.
Quinto Sol (Spanish for “fifth sun”) is one such band – a collective of dudes of Mexican heritage who emerged out of East Los Angeles in the early 90s. Fusing elements of blues and reggae, and inspired by the sound of the Americas, Africa and the Caribbean, their sound is as unique as it is diverse.
In 2009, Quinto Sol released Spirits of the Martyrs (and Martyrs in Dub) and Quinto Sol & Friends. The English/Spanish track Moonlight (2007) speaks of the importance of awareness of socio-political and economic issues facing the US-Mexican community. The video that accompanies the track features collaged visuals of this notion – including the US-Mexico border fence, protesters, indigenous Americans, and Zapatistas (the revolutionary leftist group based in Mexico). Not to mention – it sounds fucking good.
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