Best of 2011: Insider Polls

We know what we liked about 2011. But what did THEY like? Read below to see what Francisca Valenzuela, Kinky, Astro, Mr. Pauer, Zechs Marquise, Toy Selectah, El Columpio Asesino, Le Butcherettes, the ZZK Crew, and others ranked their best of the best of 2011.

_______________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Hum… I’ll say La Vida Bohéme (Venezuela), Niña Dioz (Mexico), 3Ball MTY (Mexico), La Santa Cecilia (LA), and El Freaky (Colombia)… but really, it’s a small list from a great year of releases.

2. Favorite Song of 2011: As a DJ/Producer, it’s a rough question since I play 100’s of tracks thru the year. Buraka Som Sistema has my vote on this one. “Hypnotize” from the album Komba.

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Manu Chao at Bayfront Park was just magical. More than 8,000 fans acting like little kids with this “FIRST” time performance of el maestro in Miami. Amazing night and I had the chance to experience that crowd with a DJ set of more than an hour. Priceless!!!

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: This is actually the year where Collabo didn’t make a big impact to me. I will give a prize to Pitbull for collaborating to everybody and their mother. At the beginning of the year, the Li Saumet, Niña Dioz and Villa Diamante track made me happy! Chocquibtown and Tego Calderón was great too.

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: The Skin I Live In by Almodóvar

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: To focus on the release of my debut album Soundtrack and put 100% of my focus on it. I got to travel with my music and was able to perform in important events like LAMC Summer Stage, POP Montreal, CMJ 2011, and even got a Latin Grammy nomination which was “La tapa del frasco” como dicen los cubanos.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? An awaking to new sounds, better rock, well done pop, openness to new technology, and more organization in general to get better product and presentation out there.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Is it OK if I repeat? Manu Chao’s concert at Bayfront Park, and just when I finished my DJ set, me dijo, “Hermano, gracias por la buena música.” WTF!!! F**ing Manu Chao yo! To see him rocking like an 18yr old kid that just started performing was shocking. I wanna thank The Rhythm Foundation for bringing the best music to Miami.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Is that like an ’80s hair band? I’m not really good at predicting the future. What I see is that since the world is upside down because of the recession and the blah blah blah… people are actually getting over it and actually doing more proactive stuff. Things are not happening like before, and that sounds more like from the ’90s than from the last decade. Music is a powerful way of unifying a country, just like futbol, or sometimes ceviche, free beer or a new iphone about to come out. I wish all of you the best for 2012 and please customize your own experience for the apocalypse since individual action makes a group or a band. Smile, express yourself, move forward with your dreams, and always with good intention and good music.

10. New Years Resolution: Grow a mustache. Ride my bicycle to the studio. Clean my desk. A Collabo with Damon Albarn, Paquita La Del Barrio & Willie Colón… same track!

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Little Dragon

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “Ritual Union” by  Little Dragon and “Cheerleader” by St. Vincent.

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Prince @ LA Forum / Little Dragon @ Outside Lands / Flaming Lips @ Lollapalooza Chile.

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Pedro Aznar and myself performing “Maldigo del Alto Cielo” by Violeta Parra.

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Violeta se fue a los Cielos by Andrés Wood

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Releasing and presenting my new album Buen Soldado in Latinamerica, US and now Spain. Perfoming at ACL Festival and touring Brazil. Finishing my BA. Performing and participating in different protests and social activities in Chile.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Diverse, visual and global.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Civil protests, “indignados” and occupy movements worldwide. Student protests and civil movements in Chile (I don’t know if it’s “shocking” but it is impressive, exciting and escalated into a big, massive movement visible worldwide).

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Total global corporate control.

10. New Years Resolution: Write, compose, perform, travel, study, learn.

_____________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Unknown Mortal Orchestra

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “Coplas” by Animales Superforros

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: The Flaming Lips in Lollapalooza Chile

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Pedro Piedra featuring “Gepe” shows

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Sleepless Nights Stories, Directed by Jonas Mekas

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Playing at Rock al Parque, Colombia.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Echoes from 2010

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Eruption of the Puyehue Volcano in my homeland, Osorno – Chile (5Km from where we shot our “Ciervos” video)

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Animals taking over the cities while people eating each other.

10. New Years Resolution: Taking ASTRO to USA and Europe Tours

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Dirty Beaches

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “She” by Tyler the Creator with Frank Ocean.

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Suicide at Primavera Sound. We thought we’d never have the chance to see them, and there they were giving it their all and putting on a great show.

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: “Lulu” by Lou Reed and Metallica, the collision of two worlds.

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Dylan Dog: Dead of Night by Kevin Munroe.

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Playing in Argel, our first time in Africa.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Like 1986.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Seeing Mick Jones enter into a portaloo with his guitar.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? The entire stadium shouting “Jonathan” while he’s running around the arena and Bach’s “Tocata and Fuga in D minor, BMV 565” is playing.

10. New Years Resolution: To make 37 songs.

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Teophilus London

2. Favorite Song of 2011: Adele’s “Rolling in the deep” remixed by Jamie XX

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Pulp on Primavera Sound in Barcelona

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Capribou’s remix of Radiohead’s “Little by Little.” After all, remixes are collaborations, no?

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: The Artist by Michel Hazanavicius

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Finishing our album Sueño de la máquina

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Colateral Damage

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: The fire at the Casino Royale in my hometown, Monterrey.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Very colorful, furious and uncontrollable. As a celebration of the end of the world. I think the apocalypse began several years ago, and rather, we are getting used to surviving it with a smile on our faces.

10. New Years Resolution: Keep on going.

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Los Rakas

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “Vengo de Panamá” by Los Rakas

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Spring Gathering with Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Our remix with Goapele

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Kevin Hart’s Laugh at my Pain

6: Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Putting our first project out under our company Soy Raka LLc.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Weird

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Our EP Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada hit #1 on iTunes.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Los Rakas taking over the world.

10. New Years Resolution: Cook more at home and eat less out.

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Song of 2011: “Face” By The Zombie Kids 🙂

2. Favorite Concert of 2011: Foo Fighters

3. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Kanye West and Jay Z

4. Favorite Movie of 2011: Drive by Nicolas Winding Refn

5. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: To continue working on what we like, music, and to accomplish a few of our dreams.

6. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Evolution

7. Most shocking moment of 2011: Playing big festivals with big artists.

8. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Reign in Blood by Slayer!

9. New Years Resolution: Going to the gym! jaja! 🙂

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Torreblanca

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “Dejé de ser yo” by Torreblanca

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Kevin Johansen

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Singing with Julieta Venegas “Debajo de mi Lengua” at the Auditorio Nacional, DF.

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Melancholia by Lars von Trier

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Being nominated for the Latin Grammys, having my own Metropolitan show, singing with Julieta Venegas at the Auditorio Nacional, and recording my new album at my house in Tecate.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Independently better.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Getting an email from Juan Gabriel saying he likes my voice.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? New album, new world music 🙂

10. New Years Resolution: Keep living my dreams.

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: La Santa Cecilia

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “La Bala” by Calle 13

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Jarabe de Palo at the Music Box

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Los Tigres del Norte and Zach de la Rocha.

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: From The Sky Down, the making of U2’s Achtung Baby directed by Davis Guggenheim.

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Getting my album to debut at #1 on iTunes and #14 on the billboard Latin charts with zero radio or label support. Go digital music mags!

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? It would look like La Roma in Mexico City. The return of the singer-songwriter.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Getting nominated for a Grammy which was totally unexpected and amazing.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Pitbull has songs, commercials, collaborations everywhere with everybody…..oh wait.

10. New Years Resolution: Live in the now!

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake. Every new album of hers is a step forward in reinventing herself and finding a new way in how to face rock music. We really like the use of the autoharp in this record, it creates a very personal atmosphere. The political approach is also outstanding.

2. Favorite Song of 2011: Connan Mockasin’s “Forever Dolphin Love.” It has one of the best musical buildups I’ve listened to in a long time. Melodies, rhythm, arrangements, under a magical layer that ripples to the surface of the sea.

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Portishead at Corona Festival, Mexico, 2011. Their last album has been a big influence to us. It was an amazing live show, didn’t let us down.

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Playing our songs “Cristina” and “Albaro” with Disco Ruido at Corona Festival, Mexico 2011. Spontaenous collaboration, fresh, fun…. What live collaborations should be like. Dancing on the precipice.

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Melancholia by Lars Von Trier: dancing, fucking, crying …. VIVE!!!!! Life comes to an end. There’s nothing else.

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: My, what big eyes you have..!!!

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Something that has been done with an innovative speck of dust.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Seeing a politician cry due to the cuts that they are announcing.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? No idea. I only know that the following day I’ll have lunch with the family.

10. New Years Resolution: Carretera y speed!

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: James Blake

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “I Never Learnt to Share” by James Blake

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: RX Bandits last show in San Fransisco. Bittersweet…

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: None come to mind.

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: No favorite, but the worst movie I saw in 2011 was Hang Over Part II. Proof that some movies don’t need a sequel.

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Finishing our album Getting Paid

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Like a hobo lying in a patch of green grass under a big beautiful tree next to a small lake in the middle of an enormous desert.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: The world losing Patrice O’neal and Nate Dogg.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Apocalypse? What Apocalypse?…

10. New Years Resolution: Sing better.

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Jamsha ‘El Putipuerko’ / Orquesta El Macabeo.

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “Move Like Jagger” by Marron 5

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Vico C at The Spot

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Hector and Glori (of D’Marquesina)

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: The Skin I Live In by Almodovar and Bridesmaids by Paul Feig

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Keeping two careers going and going. Music-wise, to deejay at Jorge Pardos and Pierre Huyghe’s opening party in Berlin.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Like fireworks.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Getting fired by mistake.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Don’t really think about it but i hope its a dance party!

10. New Years Resolution: Be focused!

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Frikstailers

2. Favorite Song of 2011: Lagartijeando ft. Boogat, “Alto de la Paz”

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Tremor at Roskilde

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Modelselektor & PVT

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen

6: Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: To have created a garden full of all of the ideas and projects I planted.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Not sure.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: To get to know my relatives who live in Germany.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? A happy apocalypse, the end of capitalism and the FMI.

10. New Years Resolution: That once and for all, the exploitation and robbery of natural resources in the third world comes to an end.

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: MUNCHI

2. Favorite Song of 2011: First Of The Year (Equinox) – Skrillex

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: HIFANA (Razzmataz Barcelona)

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: MC Soom T and Disturb

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: The Sitter by David Gordon Green

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: My new folk band SONIDO GUAY NEÑE

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Brutal

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: The tsunami in Japan.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Zombie holocaust.

10. New Years Resolution: Peace

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Escuela de Trance, Buenos Aires, Argentina

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “Simiolo” by Dengue Dengue Dengue

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Ignat at the TDI Festival 2011

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: SUPER GUACHIN feat Catnap

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Plaga Zombie: Zona Mutante: Revolución Tóxica by Pablo Parés and Hernán Sáez.

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: The release of our EP Piratas y Fichines

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? Internet

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Our first European ZZK Tour

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Zombies vs Martians vs Ninjas

10. New Years Resolution: Free information.

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Fox & Sui (based in OZ) and Carla Morrison.

2. Favorite Song of 2011: Little Frog by Sui Zhen

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: The Flaming Lips and Omar Rodriguez Lopez Trio.

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Being able to work with Lia Braswell and Omar Rodríguez López for Le Butcherettes.

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: It’s been a really shitty year for movies but the Tree of Life and Midnight in Paris were great.

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Touring and traveling over the world and finding love in life.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? A lunar eclipse.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: When I realized that I am a person capable of truly being able to love without limitations.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? The evolution of a human being, the opening of the third eye, people realizing that we’re sharing the planet, and that we are a community.

10. New Years Resolution: To keep on traveling and making music that makes my bones melt.

________________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Aldo Aldeano of Cuba

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “Soy Papá” by Lápiz Conciente

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Amy Winehouse

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: Jah Cure and Junior Reid

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Rise Up by Luciano Blotta

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: Getting 2 Latin Grammy Nominations

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? PROLIFIC!!!

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: Haiti earthquake.

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? More music!

10. New Years Resolution: Be good live happy!!!

____________________________________________

1. Favorite Artist/Band of 2011: Bombay Bicycle Club

2. Favorite Song of 2011: “The Look” by Metronomy

3. Favorite Concert of 2011: Jamaica (Razzmatazz 3)

4. Favorite Collabo of 2011: “Shuffle” by Bombay Bicycle Club and Lucy Rose.

5. Favorite Movie of 2011: Super 8!! (By J.J. Abrams)

6. Your biggest accomplishment of 2011: The release of our first record.

7. If you could describe music in 2011, how would that look like? It would look like The Smiths performing a cover of New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle” at a Hawaiian beach party.

8. Most shocking moment of 2011: When we first saw our album in Japanese stores!!!

9. What does your 2012 Apocalypse look like? Good!! It is really pushing us to work hard on new songs. Let’s see if we arrive on time and alive to launch the new record….

10. New Years Resolution: Amazing year for CCC. Biggest thanks ever to our record label Mushroom Pillow, our agents and managers from Artica and all the amazing guys who’ll join us when we go live.