Que raro!
Happy Tuesday friends!
First off, even though it's not technically related to the main part of this update, if you've got seven minutes free and are looking for some cool sounds, check out this video of me and saxophonist Michael Pineda jamming duo at the Golden Dagger from last Monday. I've been hosting these jams for more than five years and this is a nice example of the special moments that can happen during a given night.
Now, on to the scheduled programming...
For the past year, Stephanie Alma, Marcos Rios, DC Chillers and myself have been creating music as Raro, which means strange or weird in Spanish.
Raro played a handful of shows during the second half of 2022. Then This winter we went into the legendary Electrical Audio and recorded our first album.
After a lot of hard work, the first two songs from our upcoming debut will be releasing to the world this Friday! You will be able to find them anywhere you stream music.
The songs are called Sombra and meditation. They are adventurous yet direct, and I love them. These songs are especially meaningful to me because I've experienced several iterations Stephanie created before the band formed, and even got to play them duo with her during the days of quarantine social media content and early post lockdown performances.
We're celebrating with a couple performances this weekend and next. Also, with Cinco de Mayo almost upon us, there are a few latin music events I'm lucky to get to play for that I'll be shouting out in all the show details below. Thank you so much, and stay tuned for Raro's first singles this Friday.
Tommy
Thursday Apr. 27: Steph and Tommy duo at Archie's Cafe
This Thursday Stephanie and I will be joining our good friend Lyn Rye for some intimate sets of music at Archie's Cafe in Rogers Park.
- 1228 W Loyola Ave
- 7:30pm
- Free
Friday Apr. 28: Raro at Honky Tonk BBQ
We're honored to be kicking off our single release celebration by sharing the stage with Emilio Rojo's new latin soul project at Honky Tonk in Pilsen. Great food and the chance to dance.
- 1213 W 18 ST
- 8pm
- Free
Saturday Apr. 29: Raro at the Bakery
The official single release party! Raro will be playing along with Vivian Garcia, Mirmaid NV, Gilt Drip, and the Rios Trio. Please note this show is in a house venue, so I can't share the address publicly. I will say it is basically right across the street from Honky Tonk though. Shoot me a quick reply you want to join and I'll send you the address. (It's a cool apartment above an empty store front).
- 6pm-11pm
- Message for address
- $10 suggested donation
Friday May 5: Raro at UIC
We're also honored the the University of Illinois at Chicago's Disability Cultural Center is sponsoring a performance by Raro and the Rios Trio on Cinco de Mayo. We'll be playing on the campus quad and it's free and open to the public.
- 5pm-6:30pm
- Main (not medical campus) of UIC
- Free
Saturday May 6: Haz Room latin music show
The celebration's continue at a new arts space in Pilsen. Stephanie and I will be opening up for Piraguas y Piropos (the traditional Puerto Rican band I accompany on percussion) at the Haz Cooperative. This'll be a great night of latin music.
- 1706 S Halsted St
- 8pm-11pm
- $10