Borderline Latin is an exploration of the influence of Latin music in styles, places and rhythms beyond its traditional borders, and of different types of cross-pollination between Latin music and other musical creatures. Each week, we will feature the works of a ‘non-Latin’ artist via song or musical style whose rhythm, themes, melodic inflections or influences have earned it the name of Borderline Latin.
Copia Doble Systema are no strangers to Remezcla’s readers. But their particular blend of cumbia, and the fact that they’re releasing a brand new mixtape into the digital seas, makes it worthwhile taking a closer look at them, from a Borderline Latin perspective. They started up in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009, by “slowing” the tempo in techno music, and adding some nasty cumbia loops. Soon their sound evolved into what they call “cumbia vikingo” –and they emphasize it must be written like that, using bad grammar, to stress their northern European identity. With this denomination and their Venezuelan singer (Pepita), they claim their right to their own blend of cumbia; since all genres of cumbia brag about their different regional origin (villera, sonidero, guarachero, etc.), and they do not adhere to any of these particular regional genres, they decided to create one of their own. And I think they’ve earned their right to do so.
Copia Doble Systema see themselves as something like modern day Vikings; Vikings, they say, have been misrepresented as thieves and savages, whereas they were actually skilful sailors, traders, explorers of new lands and settlers, with a particular taste for the good things in life: dancing, feasting, having fun. Like those Vikings of old, Copia Doble Systema are all about “sailing the digital oceans” in search for new ports, new opportunities to share music, exchange culture, and trade good rhythms. They have performed in places like London, Hanoi, Caracas and Wales, bringing their invasion of cumbia vikingo. As a treat for our readers, we’re presenting their latest mixtape, which includes seven tracks that make their world premiere right here. They’re also offering their Soom T Dub as a freebie. Enjoy!
Copia Doble Systema – Primavera Cumbias Mixtape by COPIA DOBLE SYSTEMA
Copia Doble Systema – Fisketorvet Riddim (Soom T Dub) by COPIA DOBLE SYSTEMA
Click HERE to read more “Borderline Latin” profiles. For comments and tips, please contact me at: Salvador@remezcla.com, and for more info on my “Borderline” works, visit Borderline Projects.