Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
Manitoba·Video

The Mariachi Ghost feeling alive after SXSW concerts

Winnipeg band the Mariachi Ghost says they had an “overwhelming” experience playing one of the largest music festivals in North America, South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas.

Winnipeg band travels to Austin, Texas to play legendary South by Southwest Music Festival

CBC News ·
The Mariachi Ghost performing at SXSW in March in Austin, Texas. (Jason Mellard)

Winnipeg band the Mariachi Ghost says they had an "overwhelming" experience playing one of the largest music festivals in North America, South By Southwest (SXSW), in Austin, Texas.

The Mariachi Ghost played three shows at SXSW and were named one of the best Latin bands of the fest by NPR. It was the band's first time playing in the United States. 
"The reaction was really great especially from the Latin community down south. They never heard of us and we did get quite a bit of buzz on the internet," said band member Rafael Reyes.
The Mariachi Ghost played their first official show in 2009 at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. (The Mariachi Ghost)

Lead singer Jorge Requena-Ramos said the media attention is invaluable for a band of their size.

"There were bands there that play stadiums in Latin America that were next to us on the same list," he said of NPR's coverage.

Requena-Ramos said the networking he was able to do in Austin, rubbing shoulders with the music industry's most influential people, should give the Mariachi Ghost and edge when it works with promoters in the United States to book future shows.

"Having those three or four days in Austin being treated with real, professional respect is a really big deal," he said.

The Mariachi Ghost played their first official show in 2009 at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

"It's satisfying. That's sort of the magic of living in Winnipeg and the magic of living in Manitoba—where half of your friends can be musicians. [You] call them and then things will happen," said Requena-Ramos.

The Mariachi Ghost perform "Susana" live

9 years ago
Duration 3:06
The Mariachi Ghost play "Susana" live on CBC Radio's Up To Speed with host Ismaila Alfa on Monday.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News
Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|

Related Stories