SPI Music Fest: On Location in Monterrey, MX

SPI Music Fest is crossing borders!

We went to Monterrey, Mexico to throw down one of the sickest blowout SPI Music Fest promotional parties ever!

60 Tigres, who is a festival performer, played the shindig and over 150 people attended. The buzz was great, the excitement was palpable, and a great time was had by all.

Thanks to our Monterrey photographer and good friend, Brenda Melendez, here's a taste of how it went down - music: 60 Tigres "El Yate del Amor"



SPI Music Fest: Monterrey, MX: royal from south padre music fest on Vimeo.

Tickets are still available for the SPI Music Fest taking place Halloween Weekend (Oct 31-Nov 2) on the tropical sandy beaches of South Padre Island. The lineup is now out, and limited single day passes are also available. More information on that is coming!

Get your tix NOW at spimusicfest.com!!!!

SPI Music Fest Artist Feature: Los Lonely Boys

SPI Music Fest is proud to be bringing the Grammy Award-winning Los Lonely Boys to South Padre Island during our Halloween Weekend Extravaganza in Paradise.

Hailing from San Angelo, Texas, and preaching their brand of “Texican Rock n’ Roll” to the masses since their smash debut dropped in 2004, the brothers Garza have made their unique sound and energetic live shows the stuff of legend.

Whether it is playing to nearly 100,000 Austin-ites as the State Capital of Texas looms in the background, or jamming with such musical luminaries as Ronnie Milsap, Carlos Santana, and the foremost authority on Texas Music, ’08 SPI Music Fest Headliner Willie Nelson; the Boys have been bringing it since they first exploded onto the scene.

After their smash eponymous 2004 album, off the strength of their Grammy Award-winning single, “Heaven”, rocketed its way to the Top Ten, Los Lonely Boys have seen a rise to the top of the music industry that is stuff of Hollywood.

Their successful 2006 follow-up album, Sacred, reached #2 in the album charts and sprung another huge hit for the band, “Diamonds”.

The band released their third studio album, entitled Forgiven, in July 2008 (along with hit single "Staying with Me") and have spent most of the year on the road doing what they do best…laying it down and rocking it out in front of thousands.

Check out Los Lonely Boys doing their thing after the jump...





Los Lonely Boys: "Heaven" in Austin


Los Lonely Boys w/ Willie Nelson “Cisco Kid”


Los Lonely Boys: “Staying With Me” at Nissan Live

SPI Music Fest Preview Party This Thurs. Sept. 18th @ The Belmont in Austin, TX!

SOUTH PADRE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL HOSTS A ONE-TIME PREVIEW PARTY AT THE BELMONT!

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ALL-EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, A WAKE BOARD AND A FREE GIBSON GUITAR!

PLUS: SPI MUSIC FEST ARTIST TWANGUERO TO PERFORM

WHAT: South Padre International Music Festival Preview. Enjoy drink specials and music from SPI artist Twanguero. Also, enter to win an SPI Music Fest vacation package (including transportation, hotel and festival passes for two), a Shred Stixx wakesurf board and a Gibson guitar!

WHEN: Thursday, September 18
6:30pm - 9pm

WHERE: THE BELMONT
305 W. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701

For the latest information regarding the artist line-up and festival go to www.spimusicfest.com.

Buy your tickets today:
www.spimusicfest.com or call 866-448-7849

Chill Out Venezuela...Los Amigos Are Our Amigos...

Invisible Friends...

That's the direct translation for the name of New York-by way of Venezuela-based Latin dance band Los Amigos Invisibles. However, this sextet has been anything but invisible since releasing their 1995 debut in their native country.

They have since become one of the biggest Latin Alternative acts in the world. They have toured over 60 countries, been nominated for 2 Grammy and 2 Latin Grammy awards, released 5 studio albums, 1 live DVD+2CD album, and founded 1 record label.

SPI Music Fest is thrilled that Los Amigos have become "our Amigos" and are coming back to South Padre Island this Halloween weekend.

With a penchant for great and hilarious video treatments that rival the Foo Fighters, here is some Los Amigos Invisibles goodness for all your senses...


Los Amigos Invisibles - "Cuchi Cuchi"


Los Amigos Invisibles - "Yo No Se"

Grupo Fantasma brings latin groove back to SPI!

Grupo Fantasma has a resume that most musical artists would kill for...

• An 11-piece latin funk orchestra from Austin, Texas that has been together since 2000
• Achieved renown with their exuberant live shows, danceable tunes, and tasty rhythms
  
• Sold more than 20,000 albums independently
• "the grassroots success of Grupo Fantasma marks them as one of the decade's most important independent artists in the latin genre." - allmusicguide.com
• Hand picked by Prince as the "Latin Night" house band at his 3121 Club in Las Vegas
• They have backed him on numerous occasions (including his legendary performance at the 2007 ALMA Awards)
• Played some of the biggest stages in the world of music
  
• Austin City Limits Festival
• Bonnaroo Music Festival
  
• Montreal Jazz Festival
• Calgary Folk Festival
• South Padre International Music Festival
• Austin City Limits TV Show
  

While some may brand their music "cumbia funk" or "latin dancehall orchestra" one thing is for certain: the band continually obliterates the clichés that often plague the current Latin music market, all the while keeping their feet firmly planted in the traditions that they love and deeply respect.

SPI Music Fest is proud to have had these guys play our inaugural festival in 2007 and is thrilled to have them back this year.


Grupo Fantasma - "Mentiras"


Grupo Fantasma Interview at 2007 SPI Music Fest

Alejandro Escovedo is a "real animal"

Alejandro Escovedo is the genuine article...hands down.

Born into one hell of a prolific musical family (I wonder what family reunions are like when legendary Jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo is your brother and drum queen/Prince protégé Sheila E is your neice), Alejandro Escovedo has forged his own legendary 30+ year career as a roots rockin' Everyman that has seen and done it all.

From his first-wave punk days hanging at the Chelsea Hotel in NYC with the Nuns, to his move to Austin and subsequent successes with 80's roots rock/alt. country acts The True Believers and Rank and File, Alejandro has had a major influence on the development and eventual success of both genres.

As a result Ryan Adams, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, the Jayhawks, and yes even the boss, Bruce Springsteen, are among the many legendary artists who consider Escovedo a musical influence on their work.

After the jump is a bit of background about Alejandro and his latest effort, the beautifully rocking Real Animal. An additional clip shows Al and the Boss (with the always amazing E Street Band) laying it down on stage with "Always a Friend" this past April.

alejandro escovedo - real animal promo clip

alejandro escovedo & bruce springsteen - "always a friend" - houston,tx 4/14/2008

Just who is this Ghostland Observatory...?

Willie may well be a living legend, and Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat may be among the cream of the 70's rock radio staple crop...

But just who is this Ghostland Observatory, and why are people that always seem to be "in the know", so excited that they're coming to South Padre Island for the 2008 SPI Music Fest?

For starters, they're one of the coolest musical projects around, traditional music industry model breakers, and Austin American Statesman's Band of the Year. Their live shows are always electrifying and wherever they are playing always seems to be the most hip place in the world to be at that very moment.

But for the uninitiated, here is Ghostland Observatory playing "Sad, Sad City" during their Austin City Limits taping last year.