Every week, La Alternativa sponsored by Sparkly Clean Co. 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.
In honor of Día de los Muertos — which this year fell on Nov. 1-2 — we paid our respects to those we’ve lost by creating a sonic altar of songs that capture the tradition through genre and motifs.
The Latin American holiday honors and celebrates the dead while welcoming them Earthside to visit their loved ones. It incorporates indigenous beliefs and Spanish Catholic rituals, and has become a widely celebrated and commodified holiday in the United States, with many large retailers displaying candles, sugar skulls and Catrinas for purchase.
Though it has become much more prevalent, Día de los Muertos’ essence is about slowing down so we can think of relatives and friends, and prepare treats to welcome them as they cross the bridge to Earth. For our sonic version, we incorporated timeless rancheras, contemporary Cuban Son and lots of stories in between.
To explore the artistic side of Día de los Muertos and keep the memories flowing, visit Latino Arts Inc.'s "Day of the Dead Ofrendas" exhibit that runs through Nov. 18.
Episode playlist
- Chavela Vargas, “La Llorona”
- Gigi Perez, “At the Beach, In Every Life”
- Natalia LaFourcade, “Muerte”
- Son Rompe Pera, “Jose Dolores”
- Antonio Aguilar, “Que Me Entierren Con La Banda”
- Humbe, “fantasmas”
- Juan Gabriel, “Amor Eterno”
- Greko en la base, “QLQ”
- Salma Hayek & Los Vega, “La Bruja”
- Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, “Calaveras y Diablitos”
- Ana Tijoux & Celso Pina, “Calaveritas”
- Silvana Estrada, “Un Rayo De Luz”
