Pierogies and prehistoric-yet-modern Latin American bass music? Well, the mix may seem nonsensical, but that’s exactly what’s in store when five year-old Mexican label N.A.A.F.I. takes things over on March 28th at VIA-sponsored events at the Pittsburgh Humanities Festival (occurring from March 26th-29th). As a label, N.A.A.F.I. blends political rebellion (the label’s name flips the British Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes’ acronym) with a touch of African slang (“N.A.A.F.I. is South African Afrikaaner slang for “No Ambition and Fuck-all Interest”) and love for the magic behind organic bass music scenes worldwide to create a progressive dance music concept all their own.
Label co-founders Alberto Bustamante and Tomas Davo join DJ Smurphy on a panel (alongside MUTEK Mexico‘s director Damian Romero) discussing the independent music breaking globally out of Mexico City and the organizations (labels, festivals) key in this development. The evening event at the Pittsburgh Humanities Festival features N.A.A.F.I. too. A DJ night referred to as “a night of peripheral rhythms” features both live music and DJ sets from Smurphy, F Bahia and Mexican Jihad. Sounds including N.A.A.F.I. originals, Mexican club, reggaeton, hip-hop and Latin tribal sounds will be featured.
Tickets are available now for both events.