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19/7/2016 / Online only / Text: Javier Bohorquez

VOLTA spices up its walls with an evening full of latin-american ska and funk-rock: DESORDEN PUBLICO and LOLA’S DICE

I was a kid and it was the early 90’s when I heard ska for the first time coming from the double cassette stereo of my older cousin; it was Desorden Publico with their hit “Politicos Paraliticos” (Paralytic Politicians). I fell in love with the rhythm of the band, and to this day I get the same feeling every time I listen to them. In Venezuela during the 90’s this ska band represented anti-establishment made music, and they haven’t stopped doing so. In my opinion Desorden Publico (Venezuela) together with Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (Argentina) created the sound of Latin-American Ska: a fusion of cumbia, salsa and merengue with the classical ska beats. They are celebrating 30 years of existence with an EU tour that will include Amsterdam. The show will be loaded with the essence of the Caribe and the colourful beats of America, representing the Joy of Music. 

Daydreaming is a compulsory task in my life, and one of those fuzzy seconds in the clouds of my brain will materialize next 19th July. Then, we will work hard and prepare everything to set up here in Amsterdam one of my musical heroes: Desorden Publico. When Marit (Volta) asked me to write a few words about this event, and what it represents to me and my band Lola’s Dice, I walked up-side-down in the ceiling of our rehearsing studio.  I would like to start mentioning that Amsterdam has a nice scene for different alternative artistic expressions; however, as a musician I feel that it is still really hard to get stage minutes especially for bands wanting to show their own material. To put it simply, you ought to be a Coldplay cover band or you ought to be Coldplay. I was born in Venezuela where the Caribbean Sea wakes you up with its colored chromatic wonders and fills you up with the energy you need to run throughout the adversities of such gorgeous but convulsed country. Inspired by those moments, I decided (together with my band and a bunch of friends) to stop complaining and try ourselves to organize different events where we can share and be together for the motivation that moves us: the joy of music. We are still in the experimenting phase; however, we believe that with our drive and the help of more amazing venues like Volta we will get there. So far we have decided to give a name to this idea: Platypus Booking & Logistics. In our short resume we have the pleasure of organizing the shows of the famous Basque band Berri Txarrak and now shortly Desorden Publico.

The show will start with my band Lola’s Dice. We are a so called power trio that started back in 2008 (in the city of Amsterdam); and after navigating infinite hours of jamming and live gigs we found ourselves in the shores of Funk-Rock (if I have to give a name to what we play). Our drive is creating music to ignite what lies beneath everyone’s emotions. “In Half / Funkwashed”, our new album; became the band’s manifesto of how we intend to switch-on this rhythm blender.

I hope that I have created enough curiosity to make you click on your web search engine and search for: Volta or Desorden Publico or Lola’s Dice. If you are there, you will not regret a second when you find yourself dancing to all the beats that this evening offers you.  Until then, I have said my piece.

www.desordenpublico.net
www.lolasdice.com
www.volta.amsterdam

Javier Bohorquez, Singer and guitar player at Lola’s Dice