AMISTAD
Interviewed by: Angela

Who is in your group and what do they do or play?
Amistad is Mario Rendon on bass guitar, J.C. Rios on lead guitar, Rene Maldonado on Keys and accordion, Roger Avitia on Drums, D.J. Xtrem on the tables, Jorge Arista on guitar, Louie Arreguin on percussion, and myself Big Ramon as Emcee, vocals & accordion too.

Where did your name originate and what does it mean to you?
The name “AMISTAD” comes from the valley in south Texas over by Del Rio, TX. We come from the “mex-side” though..Acuna, Coahuila Mexico to be exact. The land there is called “AMISTAD” which also means friendship.

 

How would you describe your music in your own words?
Open Minded, Unique, energetic and real.

Is your music exclusively in Spanish or do you have English songs too?
Our first album was strictly in Spanish, but our new production is in both tongues. We mixed our cultures, nothing new just representin’ to our new school generation.

How do you feel that everyone has treated you since you started in the music biz?
Honestly AMISTAD has been discriminated on a lot, we are different in the eyes of the “regional/cumbia” market like not “mexicano” enough, and then the “chicanos/Hispanics” were too Americanized. Its tough, but that’s the beauty of it! We stand behind our music, people, and our beliefs.

Is there any new albums, demos, videos or anything else that is scheduled to be released in 2005?
Our newest production AMISTAD; 2907 is scheduled to be released July this year, video is under production, will hit airwaves by maybe June.

If so, can you tell us about them?
Yeah, we have spent so much time and effort on everything we’ve done, we’ve put all our heart into this new production, we definitely love what we do. Its gonna blow your mind.

Where can people go online to listen to your music?
AMISTADMUZIK.com SOON….hahaha not done yet… but it will be. Oh yeah on myspace.com/amistad

How can they buy copies of your albums?
Our first album titled ROCKUMBIA is out in stores, online, ebay, etc….

How do you promote your music & website?
We run a street team in TX, and well online we do what we can.

What radio stations are currently playing your songs?
According to our promoter, it’s all around Texas, some parts of Cali, Univision Radio, Entravision stations, etc.. not major airplay YET. haha

 

What do you hope to accomplish before the end of 2005?
Hope to reach new markets, hit a chart, tour more throughout the U.S. and MEX.

What is your official website?
We have two… GRUPOAMISTAD.com is our website that has been up since day one a good friend of ours runs it, Big Frank, shout out to him. and AMISTADMUZIK.com is under construction…

How can people get in touch with you for more info or bookings?
Rm_amistad@tmail.com, grupoamistad.com, or Canales Productions @ 214-738-3005.

Is there anything that you want to say to your fans and other up and coming musicians?
First of all to our fans. Thanks to each and every one of you. You make it all worth it. Saludos a todos ustedes!… To our fellow musicians, singers, writers, producers, etc…. DREAMS were meant to become true and to be followed. Don’t give up, don’t stop trying, you are as good as you think you are. Reach for the stars, but keep your feet on the ground. We are all on the same journey, we are all fighting for our spot, we need to support each other, quit hatin’ each other’s work. Peace.

Small Bio:
Discography: Caliente; independently released 2001.
Rockumbia; Fonovisa Records 2004.

Influences:
El Gran Silencio, Control Machete, Linkin Park, NIN, Celso Pina, Bob Marley, Korn, Aaron Lewis of Staind, Santana, and the list goes on……..

Shout outs:
Everyone that supports the AMISTAD, our loved ones, our friends, fans, you, who ever is reading these words. Thanks.

Anything else you want to add? LUZ, PAZ, y MUZIKA…..AMISTAD PRESENTE!

 

 

 

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AMISTAD
Entrevistado por: Angela

Amistad somos:
Mario Rendon en el bajeo, J.C. Rios “el cubano” en 1a guitarra, Rene Maldonado en las teclas y accordion, Roger Avitia en la bataca y percusiones, D.J. Xtrem en las tornamesas, Jorge Arista guitarra ritmica, Louie Arreguin congas/bongos, y su servidor “elGordo” Ramon voz rap/accordion y director de la banda.

Cuando fue originado tu nombre y cual es el significado?
El nombre del AMISTAD viene fundado por ke representamos la tierra mexicana del amor y la amistad… el valle de Cd. Acuna Coahuila, Mexico y Del Rio, Tx. Pero somos del “mexicles querido”.

En tus propias palabras, como describirias tu musica?
Diferente, energica, para mentes abiertas.

Tu musica es exclusivamente en Español o tambien en Ingles?
Bueno nuestro primer c.d. fue totalmente en ingles, pero nuestra nueva produccion llega en las dos lenguas, en espanol eh ingles…

Como te han tratado la gente desde que comensastes en tu carera musical?
Honestamente hemos sido muy discriminados, en Texas de donde estamos radicando hay muchas differentes influencias, asi que hay mucha mezcla de raizes y gustos.

Algunos projectos nuevos, demos, videos o cualguier otra cosa para el año 2005?
Nuestra nueva produccion AMISTAD; 2907 llega este Julio, una produccion muy Buena, y expandida.

Y si es que si, cuentenos algo sobre eso?
Bueno, AMISTAD le hecho muchas ganas, como en todo lo que hacemos, es una produccion moderna, con mucho mas creatividad de lo que esperabamos.

Adonde pueden ir para escuchar tu musica en el internet?
AMISTADMUZIK.com , grupoamistad.com o en myspace.com/amistad.

Adonde pueden comprar copias del disco?
Nuestra primera produccion AMISTAD Rockumbia esta disponible en dicotecas, en el internet en ebay, sitios de tiendas de musica, etc….

Como promueves tu musica y website?
Bueno en texas hacemos un equipo de promocion de calle, y por internet lo que se pueda.. pero tambien tenemos la ayuda de promociones de parte de nuestra casa disquera.

Cual estasiones de radio estan presentemente tocando tu musica?
Univision Radio, Entravision, en partes de Texas y California, por lo que eh escuchado. Toda via no emos llegado al Mercado grande.

Que esperas lograr antes de terminar el año 2005?
Quisas como todos llegar a nuevos destinos, radio, t.v. , quisas llegar a tomar posicion en las tablas…

Cual es tu direccion oficial del internet?
Tenemos 2… Grupoamistad.com y amistadmuzik.com que ya llega en Julio, se lansa antes que el disco. Ah y saludos a mi carnal BIG Frank el webmaster.

Contraciones?
grupoamistad.com, o’ con Canales Productions @ 214-738-3005.

Hay algo que quieres dicir al publico o a otros musicos?
Primeramente, a nuestros fans, todo es para uds.., A todos los carnalitos que hacen ruido como nosotros, hechenle ganas todo pa’ delante, no hay que quedarse por vencido. Como raza y carnales musicos ayudemonos no hay que pisotearnos…Luz, paz y muzika.

AMISTAD.

Discografia:
Caliente; independently released 2001.
Rockumbia; Fonovisa Records 2004.

Influencias:
El Gran Silencio, Control Machete, Linkin Park, NIN, Celso Pina, Bob Marley, Korn, Aaron Lewis of Staind, Santana, and the list goes on……..