How to Get Into Music in Spanish

Jamming on the street in San Cristobal de las Casas

Before the ease of downloading, when I traveled in places like Brazil, Vietnam and Mexico, I went to street markets, where pirated CDs with photocopied liner notes in plastic sleeves hung from big white racks.

Whenever I heard music I liked, I’d ask the person who it was, what kind of music it was, and which other groups I should listen to. I walked away with stacks of bootleg CDs.

El Chopo, Mexico City’s rock market

But what’s even better is to have a musician or a music fan write me a list of their favorite bands. Then after a long trip I sit down with my lists and listen to the suggestions on YouTube.

A few posts on this blog are lists of my musical discoveries from Latin America. Many fine artists are practically unknown north of the Mexican/U.S. border, the great cultural divide in North America.

So this is my list to you, from one friend and curious traveler to another:

The Bus, Dance Floor and Block Party – My introduction to some major styles in Latin American music.

Think You Don’t Like Rock in Spanish – Some great songs, chosen to give a newbie a nice intro to the diversity of Spanish rock:

https://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/think-you-dont-like-rock-in-spanish-listen-to-these/

Rap and Hip Hop in Spanish:

https://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/rap-and-hip-hop-in-spanish/

Latin Music for Jam Fans – Another primer for quality Rock en Español (rock in Spanish):

http://www.jambands.com/features/2010/11/19/latin-music-for-jam-fans/

Los Tigres del Norte – “Somos Mas Americanos” (We are more American) is a protest song every American should hear. Includes my translation to English:

https://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/spanish-protest-songs-los-tigres-del-norte/

Vive Latino 2012 – the biggest rock festival in Mexico:

https://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/vive-latino-2012/

Vive Latino 2013 – a great Sunday lineup of some of my favorite Latin bands:

https://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/vive-latino-2013/

For thoughts on playing, collecting and passing music between travelers – music from around the world – please read Discovering Music on the Road.

Thanks, and please comment with more suggestions. Send me your list from your part of the world. And click on these CDs:

(This post contains paid Amazon Associate links.)