Quique Escamilla: Mexican Roots Rock Reggae
Quique Escamilla has been quietly building up a name for himself in Canada’s Alt-Latin scene. Originally from Chiapas, Mexico, Quique has been calling Toronto home since 2007. An unassuming singer-songwriter, Quique blends traditional Mexican musical forms such as huapango and rancheras with contemporary rock and reggae influences.
Recently, Quique has become a sort of a darling for the CBC. His sound has captivated their attention which has opened the door to several performances on CBC radio, including the presentation of his debut EP in January 2012.
His modest style and presence only helps add a level of authenticity to his haunting tributes to his troubled homeland. In the past, Quique has been known to perform wearing a balaclava (similar to the ones worn by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation) and has dedicated many of his songs to the struggle for human rights and the environment.
Quique may be guilty of taking a page from the book of Manu Chao, or Bob Marley, but only so that he can add his own regional twist to their influences. Quique Escamilla and the Band, in a short amount of time, have created a strong following behind their electrifying live shows and with a few more years we can be sure Quique will be taking a leadership role in Canada’s growing Alt-Latino movement.
Quique Escamilla and the Band will be performing with Michael Franti & Speardhead on Thursday, June 14, 2012 as part of the Luminato Festival in Toronto. Details here.
And watch out for more shows this summer with Quique Escamilla and the Band!