Honduran vocalist Nohelia Sosa and her “santos” (Mexican-American Rafael Herrera on percussion, and American guitarist Randy Sanchez and bassist Justin Bransford) have enjoyed a successful two-year run, so far, as NOHE Y SUS SANTOS. In this short time they’ve shared the stage with popular groups (like Ozomatli) and even gotten their music into a feature film entitled Donde Está la Cigueña?
Now they’ve released an album, TEMPESTAD, that fuses cumbia, indie pop, alt-rock, and other sounds to create a distinctive Latinx act that is entertaining and soulful. The album consists of eight original songs and two fresh arrangements of classic songs.
Cumbia Triste is one of the originals, with a catchy melody that really doesn’t sound so triste (sad). Nohe shares the vocals with Herrera, whose tone of voice is special. “It is a cumbia, but in the most untraditional sense,” Herrera explains. “The guitar break is pure rock in sound and tone, it takes the song to a hard grooving vibe. It is a tune that will definitely get you moving!”
Also in the album are Pajarito, which is inspired in a traditional Mexican ranchera but is here infused with indie rock beats, as well as a rearrangement of Nirvana’s Come As You Are.
You can listen and purchase this music either on CD or digital form on the group’s page on bandcamp.