Another blog post about my recent, awesome awesome weekend trips coming very soon, but first a bit about music in my life here.
Choir
I am in my university's choir here at the Tec. It's definitely different from the choirs I'm used to. For one, people just come when they can, so there is always a different crowd every rehearsal. The director is usually 20-30 minutes late to rehearsal, so I too show up around then (I've learned). Even the week before a concert, the attitude was very laid back--we started a new song the day before the concert! Our performance was definitely much less polished than what I'm used to, but it's a different attitude, that's all-and we still sounded good! Instead of intense perfectionism, it's more chill and fun. Plus we sang in a beautiful cathedral (pictured here). That was definitely a highlight. Another concert coming up in a few weeks that I'm looking forward to. It's also great because I got to learn some Mexican songs this way that I otherwise wouldn't have been exposed to. I'm so happy I get to sing in this choir, it has really added another facet to my experience. Also, the director and members are all really nice, so I always have a good time.
Music
On the topic of music, I love the music here! It feels like I am surrounded by music here. Piping out of houses as I pass them on the street, blasting out of cars that zoom by, performances by musicians in buses on a variety of instruments...I love it! I'm also lucky because my phone has a radio. This way, I'm getting to know all different kinds of music on the radio when I'm riding the bus--I already have my favorite stations, plus it's good spanish practice, of course. I'm always writing down song names to download later, whether I'm in a club or on the bus. Here are a couple of random songs that have touched my life someway here in Mexico and bring back great memories (with YouTube links, of course):
I first was truly introduced to Spanish reggae by my friend Victor I couchsurfed with in Zacatecas. I adore these songs, so here's one of them.
Cuca is a band from right here in Guadalajara. For those interested in Mexican rock, here's a sample! I first heard this song on acoustic guitar at a bbq in the country, and so it always brings me back to that.
I really like this Puerto Rican group Calle 13, sort of alt-reggaeton and hip-hop. Even my Spanish lit professor played us one of their songs for an example of literature, so they have to be pretty good.
My favorite favorite Banda song (traditional music that comes from the state of Sinaloa), that I first met on my birthday party at a great karaoke party!
Cover bands, which often come out in bars, always play this song-I love dancing to it! Great message too.
This love-duet was important for me because it's the first time I've ever noticed myself understanding every word of a song the first time listening to it. Granted, it's pretty slow, but still exciting! I also get pretty thrilled when the techno remix comes on when I go out.
Traditional Mexican song that I sang with my choir (here also performed with a choir) Not a great recording, but wanted to share it!
Here are a couple songs that always come on when I go out dancing that I'm relatively fond of--plus I love that almost all music played in clubs/bars/etc. is in Spanish. However, the last one, Sex on the Beach, is quite possibly the worst song and worst video ever, plus it's in english..however, I always have to listen to it so there you go. Give it a listen, Spankers might be your new favorite artist.
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