An interview with Los Monstros

Local Latino band, Los Monstros, will entertain East Shore Area Library with authentic Latin music on Friday, September 22nd at 7:00 pm.

Playing together over the years in various salsa & merengue bands, the members recognized their unique chemistry and decided to embark on a new musical journey together. One of the primary contributions to the originality of their sound, is the fact that the lead singer is not even of Hispanic origin, and actually entered the world of Latin music as a merengue trumpet player. Still he nurtures his own love of singing, as well as his desire to create musical and cultural fusion by blending his own romantic vocal style, along with the unique personal musical stylings of the rest of the band, together into a new expression of the most popular latin music of today.
 
You can hear your favorite current hits, alongside of re-arrangements of classic songs from all genres ranging from popular American love songs to classic salsa, bachata & merengue, even some American pop music remixed in between, not to forget the classic reggae standards (thus the nickname “Bachata Rasta”) in a way you’ve never heard them before!
 
Truly a unique listening experience, “Los Monstros” breathe a fresh breath of life into your event with their genuine love of musical presentation and unique desire to fully entertain their audience, no matter what the occasion!

What are your names and what instruments do you play?

This event will feature Jorge Jimenez on bongos, campana (cowbell) & guira; Ray “Buron” David on congas; Jay Rivera on timbales/drumset; Mike Yinger on guitar & trombone; Betsy “Bella” Guzman on minor percussion & vocals; Kyle Kettering on sax, trumpet & lead vocals.

Los Monstros sings songs with Spanish lyrics, but your lead singer isn’t Hispanic. How did he become so proficient in Spanish?

I was drafted into playing Latin/Spanish music as a trumpet player while still in high school in the late 90s, with only a very basic knowledge of the language (from high school courses). I soon became quite immersed in the culture & learned quickly how to communicate on stage with musicians who didn’t speak any English. Over time, I began to help sing background parts & direct bands, while also composing & transcribing the music. Eventually I decided to become the co-lead singer of my own band, and not long after that, the sole lead singer. My 4 years of high school Spanish courses may have helped my vocabulary a bit, but the rest of the credit needs to be given to band mates along the way and the most credit goes to my wife Bella for helping as “language coach” over the last 10 years. I can’t learn a song without understanding what I’m saying, so it’s not just memorizing random words. My brain & tongue don’t always line up, which makes conversation difficult, but for singing, since I already know what I’m going to say ahead of time, it works…usually. My advice on learning another language is…TRY IT…and don’t only learn the language from a book, rather try to learn from person-to-person interaction as much as possible.

How has Hispanic culture influenced your music, and what is something you love about Hispanic culture?

Our music is totally shaped by Hispanic culture, from how the instruments used tell the story of how the culture itself pulls from African (slaves) traditions crossing with Taino (indigenous) roots due to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, then adding European (colonists) influence & technology with things like horns, guitars & pianos, this mirrors the story of the shaping of Hispanic culture. Also many of the songs themselves actually tell cultural anecdotes & legends…sometimes metaphorically, sometimes literally…which describe certain aspects of the culture. Music is used as a means of cultural education and the music we play is really the “Folk Music” of Latin America. We have adapted it a bit in order to appeal to a modern audience, but you can definitely feel the heart of the Caribbean people quite clearly in the music. The most beautiful thing is how the culture has taken some quite ugly subject matter (religious/political invasion, slavery, imperialism, indigenous genocide) and somehow created this wonderful fusion…musically & culturally…that focuses on the positive aspects of blending the different elements that were basically forced upon each other throughout history. There are still conflicts, but they are addressed in very fun & playful ways, with drums & dancing…you can’t beat that!

Why did Los Monstros choose to perform at The Library?

We were actually approached by one of the staff members about it & thought it was a great idea. We’re not sure if it was suggested by the community or not, but it seems like a perfect place to share knowledge and education…especially since the Hispanic/Latino population in this area is so significant, and many people are curious to learn & interact. What our band strives to do is bring people together to learn in a comfortable environment…and the library is just perfect for that.

Los Monstros and The Library are both based out of Harrisburg. Is there anything your bandmembers really enjoy about the Harrisburg area?

Harrisburg is a great place, full of diversity & opportunity. You can find so much variety from place to place without actually traveling very far. That “international flavor” is just like what we like & it gives our band many opportunities to keep doing what we do without always being on the road.

What’s one of your favorite books?

I’m a musician, so most of the books I read are about music & music history, which probably bores most people. Sometimes I get into actual literature, but even then it is based on my desire to learn cultural things behind the musical fusion that I love so much. As far as my personal favorite books that actually count as “real literature” (because I can’t pick ONE favorite) they are: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Is there anything you’d like to say to the library users who are coming to see you in concert?

I hope that you come out with the intention of having fun, be willing to get up and dance along even if you don’t know how (we’ll teach you) and keep your mind open to the beauty of multicultural events, because we can all learn from each other…that’s what a strong community is all about.

Join us this Friday, September 22nd as we sing and dance along. Light refreshments will be provided.