Every week, La Alternativa delivers the very best from the Latin alternative scene by curating a blend of emerging and established artists within the Latin diaspora, while providing a platform to champion our growing local music scene. Listen on demand here and on 88Nine from 10-11 p.m. every Wednesday.
For this episode that aired just before May Day, I was joined by community organizer and local musician Sonia Erika.
We delved into the history of May Day, the marches taking place regionally between Milwaukee and Madison, and a post-march event called “Spring Moon” that centered on wellness and creativity — all while mixing in some exquisite song picks.
Celebrated globally to honor labor rights and struggles, May Day (International Workers’ Day) started in Chicago as a fight for the eight-hour work day. Since then, it evolved to include marches for workers rights, community celebrations and an opportunity to reflect on your rights as a laborer.
Many of us have a personal connection to May Day here in Milwaukee, where Voces de La Frontera has hosted marches for years. My own link includes high-school memories of meeting outside the office with musical instrument in hand, ready to march and play alongside others as we moved toward the city courthouse.
In addition to our tributes to labor, we also talk about Erika’s art as a member of nomadic experimental music collective Death Is A Business. Building a connection to humanity and the natural world, they work alongside global and local Milwaukee artists to create immersive soundscapes that build a bridge between traditional and modern, past and present.
Episode playlist
- Rosa Pistola, “Flauta Nahua”
- BRUSES, Amandititita, “ANTES de MORIRME X.x”
- Cain Culto Ft. Xiuhtezcatl Snow Da Product Remix. “BASTA YA!”
- Death Is A Business, “Arson”
- Chuwi, “Tierra”
- La Santa Cecilia, “ICE El Hielo”
- Residents Ft. Ibeyi, “This is Not America”
- Ana Tijoux, “Shock”
- The Coup, “The Guillotine”
- Ivan Cornejo, “Atención”
- J Noa & Lowlight, “Traficando Rap”
- Angelica Garcia, “Butterfly”
- Banda Los Sebastianes De Saúl Plata, “Voy a Levantarme”
