Chicano Batman came out of L.A., four young men in vintage formalwear, playing songs that blended Brazilian Tropicalía with early ’70s psychedelic soul and the romantic pop of bands like Los Ángeles Negros. It was an immediately addictive sonic brew, and their reputation grew fast. Now, they’re making their boldest statement yet with Freedom Is Free, their third album and ATO Records debut, out March 3, 2017.
The first single, “Friendship (Is a Small Boat In A Storm),” is an organ-driven soul jam with buzzing, psychedelicguitar and the Alan Del Río Ortiz (Solange, Major Lazer, St. Vincent, Blood Orange) directed video premieres today at Noisey. New York’s all-female Mariachi Flor de Toloache have featured vocals on the song and in the video.
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“This is a song of betrayal in the most mundane sense,” says frontman Bardo Martinez. “It’s about the trials and tribulations of friendship and also a personal reflection on the painful realities of human relationships.” The video follows a series of documentary style tableaus that relate to friendship and betrayal, each scene highlighting the aftermath of a friendship, or depicting the moment a friendship begins to sour.
and receive “Friendship (Is A Small Boat In A Storm)” as an instant grat track
Chicano Batman’s look has done as much to set them apart as their sound or their name. Since the beginning, they’ve performed in matching suits and ruffled shirts; Bardo explains, “We’re making a particular reference that some people understand—Los Ángeles Negros, Los Pasteles Verdes. In the ’70s, it was a big thing where all these cats were playing romantic ballads, but they were funky as hell.”
Freedom Is Free reflects Chicano Batman’s decision to foreground the soul and R&B elements of their sound. To achieve their ambitious sonic goals, the quartet worked with producer Leon Michels (El Michels Affair, The Arcs) in his Diamond Mine Recording studio in Long Island City, NY. Michels, a veteran in the New York soul scene, has performed in Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, The Black Keys and The Menahan Street Band. In addition to tracking the album to analog tape, Michels contributed keyboards and his trademark horn arrangements (he’s been sampled by Jay-Z and Ghostface Killah). The partnership between Michels and Chicano Batman truly captures the band’s live energy and brings their aesthetic goals to life.
Outside the studio, Chicano Batman have built a stellar reputation through heavy touring across the country. They’ve played major festivals like Coachella and Bonnaroo. Opening for Jack White, Alabama Shakes, The Claypool Lennon Delirium and Gogol Bordello on recent tours has given them the chance to win over thousands of rock fans, night after night.
Chicano Batman start their national headlining tour in February 2017 in Seattle, supported by 79.5 (who will join the band on backing vocals), SadGirl and select dates with The Shacks. The tour will run through the spring and summer, with more shows to be added constantly, sharing with anyone who wants to hear the news that Freedom Is Free.
Chicano Batman Tour Dates
Feb 23 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile #
Feb 24 – Portland, OR – Star Theater #
Feb 25 – Eugene, OR – HiFi Music Hall #
Feb 26 – Arcata, CA – Arcata Theatre Lounge #
Mar 01 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s #
Mar 02 – San Jose, CA – The Ritz #
Mar 03 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore #
Mar 13 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad $
Mar 19 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Studio $
Mar 21 – Atlanta, GA – The EARL #
Mar 22 – Asheville, NC – The Mothlight #
Mar 23 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 #
Mar 24 – Charlottesville, VA – The Southern #
Mar 25 – Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel #
Mar 27 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Showcase Lounge #
Mar 28 – Boston, MA — The Sinclair #
Mar 31 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom #
Apr 01 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry @ The Fillmore #
Apr 02 – Pittsburgh, PA – James Street Ballroom #
Apr 04 – Toronto, ON – The Velvet Underground #
Apr 05 – Detroit, MI – El Club #
Apr 06 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache @ The Intersection #
Apr 07 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall #
Apr 08 – St. Louis, MO – The Firebird $
Apr 10 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater $
Apr 11 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf $
# w. 79.5
$ w. The Shacks
All dates w. SadGirl
