Presented by WOMEX
Troker
If Salvador Dali ever made a heist movie, then Mexico’s Troker would have been the perfect soundtrack; hard-groove blend of jazz, funk, DJ scratching and horns from the mariachi tradition of their homeland. Their sound careens between the sublime and the dangerous, turning on a dime to switch from precise and complex to wild and free. Brewed in the land of Tequila and toured across Europe, North and South America, Troker’s music is a powerful expression of contemporary Mexico.
Back in 2004 Frankie Mares (drums) and Samo Gonzalez (bass guitar) had the idea of exploring new horizons with an instrumental fusion of genres. Soon they met Christian Jimenez (keyboards) and along with other three purposeful musicians they started performing as Troker in every bar and restaurant in town. After more than a decade of juxtaposing pulp fiction-esque vamps and high-stakes musicianship, Troker developed a personal, unique sound.
They shined particularly bright in 2013 - 2014, becoming the first band in the history to play twice, in consecutive years, at the West Holts Stage of the legendary Glastonbury Festival in England. In 2014, they were both SXSW and WOMEX official showcasing artists; 2015 they presented a showcase at JAZZAHEAD and where part of the line up of the Winter Jazz Fest in New Your City, which takes place at the same time APAP’s magic occurs in the city.
Much more than just a group of musicians promoting records, Troker are concerned about their community and have worked with artists, filmmakers and advertisers. They actively support music education, participate economically in Mexico’s creative industries and are constantly supporting social initiatives.
DISCOGRAPHY:
1919 Musica para cine (2015)
Label: Intolerancia
Physical Distribution: Intolerancia (Mexico)
Digital Distribution: Tunecore (Worldwide)
Crimen Sonoro (2014)
Label: Intolerancia
Physical Distribution: Intolerancia (Mexico)
Digital Distribution: Tunecore (Worldwide)
Pueblo de Brujos EP (2011)
Label: Intolerancia
Physical Distribution: Troker (Mexico)
Digital Distribution: Only Soundcloud
El Rey del Camino (2010)
Label: Intolerancia
Physical Distribution: Intolerancia (Mexico)
Digital Distribution: Tunecore (Worldwide)
Jazz Vinil (2007)
Label: Intolerancia
Physical Distribution: Intolerancia (Mexico)
Digital Distribution: Tunecore (Worldwide)
PRESS:
“One of the Top 20 Mexican bands breaking through boundaries”. Rolling Stone Mexico
“One of the best concerts of 2015 in New York”. NYC Jazz Record
“Troker performance was noisy, chaotic, sprawling, messy, and all together wonderfull”. AllAboutJazz
“A cohesive and balanced piece of art”. doobeedoobeedoo NYC
“Think Zappa meets Hermeto Pascoal”. Downbeat Magazine
“See them play live is a passionate experience”. National Arts Council
“Insanely virtuosic jam band vibe”. WBGO
“Immediately infectious tunes”. Huffington Post
“They will blow the chimi out of the changa”. Inside World Music
MOST IMPORTANT CONCERTS:
Monterey Jazz Festival. Monterey, USA.
Glastonbury Festival. Pilton, England.
The Kennedy Center. Washington, USA.
Winter Jazz Fest. New York, USA.
Festival Jazz of Montreal. Montreal, Canada.
Edinburg Jazz Festival. Edinburg, Scotland.
Contemporary Arts Center. New Orleans, USA.
The Hopkins Performing Arts Center. Hannover, USA.
Jazz al Parque. Bogota, Colombia.
Festival Vive Latino. Mexico City, Mexico.
Festival Musicas Do Mundo. Sines, Portugal.
Festival Coordenada. Guadalajara, Mexico.
RichMix Theater. London, England.
Contemporary Arts Center. New Orleans, USA.
Festival Cruilla. Barcelona, España.
Festival Internacional Cervantino. Guanajuato, Mexico.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.