Fiesta de Conjunto
Conjunto Los Pochos bring high-energy fun to Altadena’s Coffee Gallery
By John Sollenberger 07/09/2009
Fans of conjunto music can see masters of the art — LA-based Conjunto Los Pochos — Sunday at Altadena’s Coffee Gallery Backstage.
A small-group dance music native to Texas and northern Mexico, conjunto is generally driven by accordion and bajo sexto (a baritone-range 12-string guitar) instrumentation, possessing a more rural appeal than Tejano. Historically associated with Mexico’s working classes, conjunto is characterized by celebratory exuberance and tough, rowdy lyrics. The band’s name refers to not only that style, but the fact that they are “pochos,” or acculturated Mexican-Americans who barely speak any Spanish.
Conjunto Los Pochos founding members Otoño Luján (accordion) and Elliott Baribeault (bajo sexto) met in 1996 at CalArts. The duo began playing backyard barbecues and in 1997 became a full-fledged four-piece band after bassist Ernesto Molina and drummer Lorenzo Martinez joined up.
The quartet, which has been plying its art at dance halls, weddings, concerts and venues of all types across the country, has albums available on their Web site and cdbaby.com.
Music starts at 7 p.m. Sunday at Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. Call (626) 398-7917.
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