La Cuneta Son Machin, Nicaragua

I just discovered the music of La Cuneta Son Machin and I love them. What makes them fantastic?  They blend traditional Latin sounds with a sprinkle of rock, punk, pop, jazz, funk, polka, and Marimba. 

The following popular song, '' Entre Ritmos y Palmeras '' by Los Hermanos Cortez, starts off normally and within few seconds, you will hear the flavor of La Cuneta Son Machín.
(Listen to the Marimba bit, it’s just wonderful) http://youtu.be/kpPRtatgWuE

La Cuneta Son Machin was created August 9, 2009 in Managua (Barrio Ciudad Jardin), Nicaragua, in front of Santo Domingo de Guzman.
Santo Domingo de Guzman is the patron saint of Managua.   

The group’s objective is to promote Nicaraguan traditional music and create a sense of national pride as well as generate awareness and interest of Nicaragua's rich culture in the new generation. Also, they purposely mix the music chinameras-metaleras so their listeners can identify with their favorites sound. 

I also love the fact that they are not pretentious and their energy is raw, unique and sincere. They make their own videos and during their performance wear chinelas Rolter, (flip flops Rolter). I super love the integration of the Marimba sound in all their songs.

They are mainly known as La Cuneta.  The word “cuneta” literally means curb as in the end of the street. 

Members:

CARLOS LUIS "LA BUJILLA" MEJÍA (Marimba, timbales)
CARLOS "FRIJOL" GUILLEN (Voz lider) Lead voice
FABIO "FABRIZZIO" BUITRAGO (Batería, timbales, coros) Drums, chorus
OMAR "EL PROFESOR" SUAZO (Guitarras) Guitar
CÉSAR "EL PUMA" RODRÍGUEZ (Teclados) Key board
AUGUSTO "EL NEGRO" MEJÍA (Bajo, coros) Chorus
JEMAX ROJAS LUNA (VJ)
ERICK REYES  (Técnico de audio) Sound Engineer
"JUANCITO" (Asistente de escenario) Assistant to

Upcoming performances: 

USA California, May 2012  

(exact date and location will be posted)

Costa Rica's International Art Festival 2012.  festivaldelasartes.go.cr/

Thursday March 22:La Sabana, Tarima Kolbi  10pm
Friday March 23: La Sabana, Tarima Fidel Gamboa  5pm
Saturday March 24: Parque La Libertad  6pm 

Their Official site: http://www.lacunetasonmachin.com/ 
There is a section called La Rockonola and you can listen to a number of their songs.

La Cuneta Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/LA-CUNETA-SON-MACHIN/151999317951

Song: Catalina -- the video was recorded during their live performance in the feast of Santo Domingo de Guzman. http://youtu.be/8BxwLrHgIk8

Que onza balanza by La cuneta Son Machine.http://youtu.be/kpPRtatgWuE



 Song: El Santo Cachon. Link: http://youtu.be/5iUEmVahycQ

Saint Sebastian - History



St. Sebastian, Diriamba

Who was Saint Sebastian?

Saint Sebastian (died c. 288) was a Christian saint and martyr, who is said to have been killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions.

Saint Sebastian is commonly depicted in art and literature tied to a post and shot with arrows. He is venerated in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

St. Sebastian is the patron of archers, soldiers, athletes including runners and pin-makers. A patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf.

In Nicaragua, Saint Sebastian is worshiped in Acoyapa church, located in Chontales and in the Minor Basilica of Saint Sebastian in Diriamba.  There used to be a church in Managua and Leon dedicated to him but they were destroyed in the earthquake in 1972.

Feast Day of Saint Sebastian is January 20.
The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.

References:
El Patron San Sebastian by Luis Mojica Sanchez.
Catholic Online:  http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=103
Catholic Saints:  http://www.catholic-saints.info/roman-catholic-saints-s-z/saint-sebastian.htm