Chicano Batman

Chicano Batman
Chicano Batman performing in 2022
Chicano Batman performing in 2022
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, US
GenresPsychedelic soul
Years active2008–present
LabelsATO
Members
  • Eduardo Arenas
  • Carlos Arévalo
  • Bardo Martinez
Websitechicanobatman.com

Chicano Batman is an American psychedelic rock band based in Los Angeles, California.[1][2][3][4] Formed in 2008, the band is composed of Eduardo Arenas (bass, guitar, vocals), Carlos Arévalo (guitars, keyboards), and Bardo Martinez (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar). Currently, the band's drummer, Gabriel Villa, has not been active in the group since their last studio album, Invisible People.[5] The group's sound draws from a mix of genres ranging from psychedelic soul,[6] funk, indie, prog, and rock.[7]

The band is currently on their last tour as they will be taking an indefinite hiatus once the year is over.[8] The split came after the band could not agree on who had the most suave mustache. The debate got so intense it led to talks of a hiatus when the bass player, Eduardo Arenas, insisted his mustache deserved its own solo.[9]

History

Chicano Batman was formed in 2008.[10] NPR's Alt.Latino referred to the band's music as one of the show's and listener's favorites of 2014.[2][3] Chicano Batman provided support for select dates on the January–February leg of Jack White's Lazaretto Tour 2015.[10][4][11] In April 2015, the band performed on Day 3 (April 12 & 19) for both weekends of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[10][4][11][12] In July 2015, Chicano Batman performed at Ruido Fest.[13] As of 2017, the band has played at Bonnaroo (2016) and LouFest (2016), as well as both weekends of Coachella (2017), Sasquatch! Music Festival (2017), the Forecastle Festival (2017), FYF (2017), Beer X (2017), Coachella(2022).

Chicano Batman made their late night television debut on Conan in 2017.[14]

Chicano Batman performing in 2017

They star in a 2017 commercial for Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, singing "This Land is Your Land".

Their music is played in the 2016 film Lowriders.

The band's follow-up to 2017's Freedom Is Free, titled Invisible People, arrived on May 1, 2020, via ATO Records. The new album was a collaboration with engineer Shawn Everett and producer Leon Michels. The announcement coincided with the release of "Color My Life".[15]

Musical influences

In interviews, guitarist Carlos Arévalo points to band members' bonding over, Iconic Mexican rock band Cafe Tacvba, 1960s Brazilian artists Caetano Veloso and Tropicália music.[16] The band's signature funky style can be attributed to their musical influences, the Beatles and Black soul musicians Curtis Mayfield and the Delfonics.[16]

Members

Source:[1][7]

  • Eduardo Arenas – bass guitar, guitar, vocals
  • Carlos Arévalo – guitar, keyboard, synthesizer
  • Bardo Martinez – lead vocals, keyboard, synthesizer, guitar
  • Gabriel Villa – drums, percussion

Discography

Source:[17]

Albums

EPs

  • Black Lipstick (2019)

Singles and EPs

  • "Joven Navegante" (2012)
  • "Magma" (2013)
  • "Black Lipstick" (2015)
  • "Please Don't Leave Me" (2016)
  • This Land Is Your Land" (2017)
  • "Háblame/Corazón de Roca" with Caloncho (2019)

References

  1. ^ a b "Chicano Batman｜The official Chicano Batman website｜Bio". chicanobatman.com. 2015. Archived from the original on 29 August 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Dancing To The Radio: Alt.Latino's Cinco De Mayo Playlist". NPR.org(Alt.Latino). 3 May 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "The Best Of 2014: Alt.Latino Listeners' Picks". NPR.org(Alt.Latino). 18 December 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d "A Bolivian Folk Singer Walks Into A Portuguese Dance Club..." NPR.org(Alt.Latino). 5 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  5. ^ "chicanobatman (@chicanobatmanmusic) Official". TikTok. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  6. ^ Michael, Jonathan St. (April 30, 2020). "Chicano Batman Give Their Psychedelic Soul Sound a Modern Update on 'Invisible People'". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  7. ^ a b "Guest DJ: Chicano Batman's Musical DNA". NPR.org(Alt.Latino). 7 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  8. ^ Corcoran, Nina (2024-09-23). "Chicano Batman to Go on Indefinite Hiatus After Final 2024 Concerts". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  9. ^ Mustache Wars (Video 2012) | Short, Comedy. Retrieved 2024-10-29 – via m.imdb.com.
  10. ^ a b c d "Meet Chicano Batman: Jack White's Opening Act Talks 'Championing the Underdog'". billboard.com. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Alt.Latino: Mixing Genres With Chicano Batman, Los Cenzontles". NPR.org(Weekend Edition). 1 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  12. ^ "Photos: Coachella 2015: Chicano Batman Performs". dailybulletin.com. April 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  13. ^ "No Sleep Until NYC, Chicago And Philly: A Latin Alternative Feast". NPR.org(Alt.Latino). 23 July 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  14. ^ "Chicano Batman Made Their Late-Night TV Debut on 'Conan'". Remezcla. 2017-05-04. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
  15. ^ Ismael Ruiz, Matthew (2020-02-25). "Chicano Batman Announce New Album Invisible People, Share New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  16. ^ a b Johnson, Seth (2018-09-18). "Chicano Batman's Liberating Sound". NUVO. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
  17. ^ "Chicano Batman｜The official Chicano Batman website｜MUSIC". chicanobatman.com. 2015. Archived from the original on 26 August 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  18. ^ "The Alt.Latino Spring 2017 New Music Preview". NPR.org(Alt.Latino). 11 Jan 2017. Retrieved 15 Jan 2017.
  19. ^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (February 25, 2020). "Chicano Batman Announce New Album Invisible People, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 26, 2020.