All this week, the Song of the Day will feature artists performing at this Saturday’s Pachanga Fest
Prior to coming out with his chicha compilation album in 2006, Olivier Conan was surprised to see chicha music hadn’t spread much beyond Peru. Originating in the ’60s, the form combines indigenous Peruvian melodies and rhythms, Colombian cumbia, plus bits of surf rock and psychedelia for a music just as intoxicating as the Andean corn beer it takes its name from. He discovered the music style on a trip to the South American country while buying music on the street. “A few million people knew about chicha in bad neighborhoods of Peru, but the music never got out,” he says.
Conan formed Chicha Libre soon after, and the band came out with their first album in 2008. What started as more of a tribute to classic chicha bands of the 1970s became much more than a side project. After touring with Chicha Libre for a few years across the country, Conan even sees a chicha revival happening in Peru. Last year, Chicha Libre brought this fascinating sound to Studio 1A, and “Danza Del Millonario” was one of the highlights from the live session.
Catch Chicha Libre on the Panamérika Patio at 7:25pm.
