Pacha Massive

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Pacha Massive

Pacha Massive (from ‘Pachamama’ meaning “Mother Earth”), is a creative collaboration between Dominican-born Nova (keys/guitar /writer/producer) and Colombian-born Maya (writer/bass). The band, from the Bronx, New York City, was Nacional Records’ first U.S.-based signing. Their music is a funky bilingual fusion of traditional Latin rhythms] like Colombian cumbia, Dominican palo, reggae, dancehall, dub and electronica.

The group released its debut album, All Good Things, on Nacional Records in February 2007. Pacha Massive have shared the stage with artists like Ozomatli, Café Tacvba, Los Amigos Invisibles, Aterciopelados, Sidestepper, and Yerba Buena. MTV Tr3s selected Pacha Massive as the channel’s first Descubre and Download artist, featuring the single "Don't Let Go.". They also co-hosted the popular weekly countdown show Mi TRLin February 2007.

History

The Pacha Massive duo met in New York City while working on a project with Ivan Benavides (Sidestepper, Bloque, Carlos Vives) where a creative collaboration between the two led to the formation of the group in 2005. Pacha Massive first gig was as opening act for Colombian rockers Aterciopelados at Madison Square Garden. After winning the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) Battle of the Bands contest the duo caught the attention of Nacional Records. Their track Don’t Let Go was featured on the soundtrack to the film, La Mujer de Mi Hermano, and received airplay on such stations as Indie 103.1 (Los Angeles), KCRW (Los Angeles), KEXP (Seattle), and KUT (Austin).

Their debut release, 'All Good Things, was self-produced by Nova with additional mixing in Monterrey, Mexico by Alejandro Rosso of Plastilina Mosh. In its first week of release, the album reached #1 on iTunes’ Alternativo Chart, #1 Overall Album on eMusic, #1 on CMJ’s Latin Radio Chart,and #2 on iTunes’ Top Latin Albums Sales Chart.

Their track "Don't Let Go" was also featured on the EA Sports soundtrack of FIFA 08.

Influences

Nova’s Dominican roots exposed him to a lot of traditional music like palo in addition to music from England and the U.S. played on Dominican radio. His passion for music began early, and as a youth he began building instruments out of whatever he could find using cans for drums, 2 X 4’s, rubber bands, etc. Nova recalls “When I came to the U.S. I got my first instrument on my 15th birthday, a drum set, and as the years passed I picked up guitar, bass, keys, percussion and finally the instrument that allowed me to solidify my ideas in a flexible and efficient way….a Mac.” Nova describes his musical influences not necessarily as musicians, but rather as people “who have influenced me in the way I make music” citing Bruce Lee, Benjamin Franklin and Leonardo DaVinci as “people who had a bigger perspective and were more holistic in their craft”.

Maya was born in Colombia and raised in New York City’s Washington Heights. Her love of music also started at an early age with the violin and later became a career choice when she went to Cuba after graduating to study double bass. Her musical influences range from classical, salsa, bolero and traditional Colombian folklore to reggae, house and artists like Manu Chao, Hector Lavoe and Sidestepper.

References

Nacional Records (January 2007). "Nacional Records’ first U.S. signing Pacha Massive set to release All Good Things February 20th". Press release. 

External links

• Pacha Massive Website
• Pacha Massive at Allmusic
• MTV Tr3s Descubre and Download: Pacha Massive
• Global hit segment on PRI's The World
• Radio interview on Latino USA
• Pacha Massive on "The Chicas Project" Soundtrack - Mun2.com

Songs

Don't Let Go