Chikita Violenta

History

Chikita Violenta is a Mexican indie rock band from Mexico City, formed by Luis Arce, Andrés Velasco, Esteban Suárez, and Armando David, who met in high school between 1994 and 1997. From the start, they aimed for a college rock sound reminiscent of bands like Pavement, Sonic Youth, Built to Spill, and Tortoise. In 2003, they self-produced their debut album, Chikita Violenta. Two years later, they reached out to producer Dave Newfeld, known for his work with Apostle of Hustle, Broken Social Scene, Super Furry Animals, and Los Campesinos!.

Their second album, The Stars and Suns Sessions, took its name from Newfeld’s Toronto studio. After its release, the band toured Mexico City and several cities along the U.S. West Coast, and performed at the SXSW festival for two consecutive years. In August 2008, Spin Magazine listed the video for their single "Laydown" as a "Must see," praising its use of 1970s home movies mixed with modern footage of family members, calling it a "generation-spanning holiday party" that "takes the cuteness and the novelty and blows them up like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man."

In late 2009 and early 2010, the band reunited with Newfeld to record their third album, TRE3S, over three trips to Canada. The album featured collaborations with Loel Campbell of Wintersleep, Tony Nesbitt-Larking of The Most Serene Republic, and Lisa Lobsinger of Broken Social Scene. In summer 2010, Chikita Violenta opened for Built to Spill and Ra Ra Riot across 23 cities, signed with Toronto label Arts & Crafts for future releases, and was named an Editor’s Choice by the New Haven Register.

TRE3S came out in early 2011 to a mix of mild and enthusiastic reviews. Spin gave it 7 out of 10 stars, noting that while the production’s scope doesn’t quite fit the band’s scrappy Superchunk-style guitar pop, the busy shimmer usually complements the songs’ energy. Scott Fallon of the Bergen County Record called it "the first great album of 2011," adding that Chikita Violenta has taken lo-fi anthemic pop to heart.