We love Ceci! I first caught her live band playing a powerful set at the Day of the Dead festival in L.A.’s Hollywood Forever cemetery (!!) last year. It felt wrong to have that much fun on a burial ground. But I accept the Angeleno logic with its mix of sun, noir, and Mexicanidad; I did not step on any graves; and most importantly, Ceci rocked the crowd of thousands, flanked by her female-majority band.

On June 24st Ceci Bastida releases her new album, La Edad de la Violencia.  I’ve heard it. It is great. The Age of Violence, yes, but expressed as infectious pop which uproots one’s expectations both sonically and lyrically, to delightful effect. E.g. early single “Por La Calle”, the catchiest song ever written about how threat of violence diminishes public space:

This behind-the-scenes video gives an album preview & a glimpse at her process.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/k7jhLs-brqM[/youtube]

And naturally we’re big fans of the Rita Indiana cover that Ceci did with Julieta Venegas:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/XK_urBiChvQ[/youtube]