This Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 NPR Music celebrates artists from all corners of Latinidad with an ‘El Tiny’ takeover.
From the opening flourish of its first tune, the Mexican band Daniel, Me Estás Matando, aka DMEM, makes it apparent that the group is leaning into the drama and fervour of the Latin tune model often called bolero. The truth is, with only a trace of a raised eyebrow, the band describes its personal take as “Boleroglam.”
On DMEM’s first tune, it’s as if lead vocalist, drummer and band namesake Daniel Zepeda is mustering up his final little bit of emotional braveness to spin this story of heartbreak. Present enterprise schtick apart, what impresses in the course of the group’s flip behind the Desk is the prime quality of musicianship from DMEM co-leader and guitarist Iván de La Rioja and the remainder of the band. The 4 half harmonies in solely the primary two minutes of the opening tune reinforce the “coronary heart on the sleeve” feelings of the style.
For those who grew up with this model of boleros, you most likely think about a bunch of men in neat, three-piece fits gathered round a mic or the desk at your favourite Mexican restaurant. It’s the music of our mother and father however within the arms and voices of Daniel, Me Estás Matando, the agony of affection with these intricate harmonies turns into intergenerational.
SET LIST
- “Intro”
- “Lo Hice, Te Dejé”
- “Es Verdad”
- “¿Qué Se Siente Que Me Gustes Tanto?”
- “Ya Sé”
MUSICIANS
- Fernando Iván Martinez Sosa: electrical guitar, vocals, microKORG
- Daniel Zepeda Alvírez: drums, vocals
- Alonso López Valdés: electrical bass
- Jorge Alejandro Chacón Rodríguez: acoustic guitar, BGV
- Emmanuel Cisneros Solís: Nord synthesizer, vocals
- Emily Beth Booher: cello
TINY DESK TEAM
- Producer: Anamaria Sayre
- Director: Maia Stern
- Audio Technical Director: Hannah Gluvna
- Host/Collection Producer: Bobby Carter
- Editor: James Hughes
- Videographers: Maia Stern, Kara Body, Alanté Serene
- Audio Engineer: Valentina Rodríguez Sánchez
- Manufacturing Assistant: Ashley Pointer
- Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis
- Tiny Desk Crew: Joshua Bryant, Hazel Cills
- Govt Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Collection Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
- VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins