Studio Sessions

Recording engineer: Steven Kray, with technical assistance from Bill Ward

Video: Jarratt Taylor / Anthony DelCalzo / Ethan Derner

Performance photos: Inger Klekacz -- see the set here. Cover photo: Jeremy Petersen

Interview: Jeremy Petersen

Y La Bamba releases their new Court the Storm later this month (Feb. 28th) on Tender Loving Empire, and we look ahead to that by looking back to the Portand band's October 2010 session. They introduced an all new batch of songs in the extended set (all of which appear on the new record), showing off their unique indie pop meets canciones mix while also revealing some new twists.

Since this recording, the band has only upped their profile-- in Portland and beyond. Last summer, they played a Tiny Desk Concert and opened for the likes of Neko Case (who also makes a guest appearance on Court the Storm's title track), all the while perfecting their formula and gelling as a band. While the new release is officially the third overall from the name "Y La Bamba," in many ways it's the first as they're currently constructed, both in sound and personnel. The beguiling Luz Elena Mendoza continues to be the centerpiece, but she's been buoyed increasingly by the singing and playing of the rest of the band (including Paul Cameron, whose vocals partner perfectly with Mendoza's throughout). Add the production of Los Lobos' Steve Berlin and several performances at the upcoming SXSW festival, and Y La Bamba seems poised for a breakout year ahead.

Other sessions you might like:

Audio Files