WXPN Welcomes Reyna Tropical

Malegría, Reyna Tropicalʼs long-anticipated debut full-length album, is at once a vibrant arrival and an electrifying bridge. The portmanteau, born from a 1998 Manu Chao song by the same name, is akin to bittersweet and blends the Spanish “mal” which means “bad" and “alegría” which means “happiness.” It marks Reyna Tropicalʼs movement from a duo to a solo project. The album is a contemporary celebration and continuation of widereaching cultural traditions—from Congolese, Peruvian, and Colombian rhythms to revolutionary artists like lesbian guitarist-singer Chavela Vargas —these influences meld and are remixed through the distinctive lens of trailblazing guitarist and songwriter Fabi Reyna. Traversing themes including queer love, feminine sensuality, and the transformative power of intentional relations to the earth, Malegría spotlights narratives often pushed to the margins and offers them a sonic homeland. Formed in 2016, Reyna Tropical began as an organic, unhurried exchange between Fabi Reyna and Nectali “Sumohair” Diaz who met during a workshop series for emerging musicians. “Our first EP was so spur of the moment,” Reyna recalled. “What we needed was to document, to just do something for our hearts. Not for money, not for our livelihood. Just for us.” The band formed when Reyna had been immersed in full-time work founding and building She Shreds, the worldʼs first magazine dedicated to women and nonbinary guitarists, and was itching for a creative release and return to her musical roots. By January 2018, the bandʼs self-titled EP, Reyna Tropical, dropped and the foundations of the bandʼs spellbinding and distinctive sound were documented and formed. Best known for their rhythmic, hip-swaying tropical feel, the first Reyna Tropical tracks featured Ableton-made beats produced by Diaz—featuring Afro Indigenous drum patterns and environmental samples—expertly mixed with dreamy guitar riffs and soft vocals by Reyna.

Interminable is a Philly-based futuristic fusion project that explores our connections as diasporic peoples through original music in Spanish and English, weaving together the common threads of improvisation and swing from Mexican traditional son jarocho music, jazz, rock, funk, and electronic music. This innovative tapestry of sounds is expressed through the band’s unique combination of instruments. Ximena Violante (Vivir Quintana, Renee Goust) sings and plays the electric guitar and jarana, a guitar-like instrument from the afroindigenous son jarocho tradition of Mexico. Marty Gottlieb-Hollis (Martronimous) on trumpet and St. Clair Simmons on trombone join forces as a horn section. Matt Jernigan on drums and Yeho Bostick (Circadian Rhythms, Darlingtyn) on bass solidify the rhythmic backbeat. Born out of a chance encounter on the train in 2015 which led to their debut a week later, opening for nationally-renowned cumbia group, Viento Callejero, the band has amassed an impressive portfolio, sharing stages with nationally- and internationally-recognized acts including La Santa Cecilia, Radio Jarocho, Mare Advertencia Lirika, DJ Precolumbian, Jarana Beat, Lady Moon & The Eclipse, and Moor Mother. Their debut album, rebirth::renacer, was released in November of 2018, bringing together musicians from across the US and Mexico. You can listen or download at their bandcamp or Spotify, or check out the video for Preludio + El Agua, featuring indigenous Zapoteca rapper Mare Advertencia Lirika.