Quique Escamilla

"After each song the sold-out crowd at the National Arts Centre walked willingly into the palm of Quique's hand and became his diehard fans. He is charming without being silly, political without being pretentious, and gifted as a performer in every way." 
-Amanda Putz, CBC Radio-Canada, Ottawa. - Amanda Putz CBC

"Sunday's early-afternoon highlights included the Interstellar Rodeo All-Stars, featuring Quique Escamilla and his many hats, singer-songwriter Danny Michel, and Blue Rodeo's charming frontman, Jim Cuddy. The three, backed by members of the Garifuna Collective, traded tunes — with Escamilla's Mexican-flavoured version of Johnny Cash's 'Walk The Line' taking the title of crowd favourite" 
-Sandra Sperounes, Edmonton Journal.

http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=11e0e83d-c1aa-418c-a91e-2c5d99d6689b - Sandra Sperounes, Edmonton Journal.

Evening Concerts: Rockin’ Revolutionaries
Quique Escamilla (8:00 PM), Michael Franti & Spearhead (9:00 pm)

Born in the Mexican state of Chiapas, singer-songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Quique Escamilla has called Toronto home since 2007. Last year, his captivating blend of traditional and contemporary Mexican styles caught the attention of producers at CBC Radio, and he has since been regularly featured on such shows as Here and Now, Metro Morning and Fresh Air. Inspired by such artists as Bob Marley and Manu Chau, Escamilla’s music provides provocative examination of the issues that plague his homeland.



From: Luminato Festival 2012. (Toronto's festival of art and creativity)
Link: http://www.luminato.com/events/hubjune14/ - Luminato Festival 2012. (Toronto's festival of art and creativity)

"Quique Escamilla is constantly evolving, always digging deep for truth, passionate about life and honouring the past. His music is stirring, rhythmic and he has a clear voice with a profound message. But what makes this folk and roots troubadour one of the most unique I've ever encountered is his eloquence and enchanting manner, on and off stage, with audiences, fellow musicians, friends and strangers. Quique Escamilla quickly teaches everyone he connects with, that music isn't just a show, it's life and it's all around. It's in us and always has been. He's ready. Are you?"

Amy Mangan, Artistic Liaison - Mariposa Folk Festival.
2012. - Amy Mangan, Artistic Liaison - Mariposa Folk Festival.

"Modern day troubadour Quique Escamilla makes music that comes straight from the soul.
The stories he tells are the stories we need to hear; socially and politically conscious
lyrics paired with exceptional musicianship. He's a unique talent who holds to the traditions of
heavyweights like Bob Marley and Manu Chao. Quique is really one to watch!"
-Garvia Bailey, CBC Radio. (Toronto host) - Garvia Bailey. CBC Radio (Toronto host)

It was at The Dakota tavern that I first saw Quique Escamilla play, and he killed it. People were bumping to his songs and his band was in the pocket. Jose Ortega, the artistic director/owner of Lula Lounge, was also there, and he noticed me grooving to the sound. I said to him that I was really impressed with Quique’s style, fresh, familiar, yet somehow not pretentious or cheesy, and he even seemed to have a hipster following! Jose looked at me and responded “yeah, he crosses all the bridges.” At that moment I knew it would be wicked to have Quique on board for an Uma Nota show.

In our world, almost no one has just one form of musical influence. It’s basically impossible. In a city like New York, São Paulo, Paris, Toronto, or any multicultural city, we may all have our frame of musical reference, but we can appreciate and take the best of all the musical forms that cross our paths. We in the big urban centres of the world are highly internationalized. We have reggae. We have Latin rhythms like cumbia and son. We have the global influence of Brazilian music. We have rock & roll and we have blues music. We hear music through our national references, our friends, the radio, parties, the internet, etc. …

And every once and a while a musician comes around that “crosses all those bridges” and brings the sounds together for a fine mix and audible feast that can be appreciated by all. We have seen this with many great troubadours, from Bob Marley and Calle 13 to Manu Chao. In the Tdot, we have Señor Escamilla and we are now in the “summer of Quique.” He recently opened up for Spearhead at the Luminato Festival and has developed quite a name for himself with his musical talent and the ease in which he speaks with the crowd, switching it up from Spanish to English without any problems.

Quique’s story is a beautiful one. He started singing at age four in Chiapas at family reunions and away he went. Now he is in TO and we are happy to have him.

“In spite of the distance from his homeland and his people, he still remains very attached to his roots, culturally and musically influenced, and very much inclined to support through his music diverse social causes such as; human and civil rights, immigration reform, global conservation, anti-racism, discrimination and other political issues.” – Quique’s bio on the CBC Music website. Wicked. You can also listen to some of his songs here. Quique performs July 27th at the Uma Nota 5 year anniversary party.

Review from: UMA NOTA (Toronto's Latin, Caribbean, Brazilian festival)
http://umanota.ca/quique-escamilla-crosses-all-bridges/ - Uma Nota (Toronto's Latin, Caribbean, Brazilian festival)

Quique Escamilla has been quietly building up a name for himself in Canada’s Alt-Latin scene. Originally from Chiapas, Mexico, Quique has been calling Toronto home since 2007. An unassuming singer-songwriter, Quique blends traditional Mexican musical forms such as huapango and rancheras with contemporary rock and reggae influences.

Recently, Quique has become a sort of a darling for the CBC. His sound has captivated their attention which has opened the door to several performances on CBC radio, including the presentation of his debut EP in January 2012.

His modest style and presence only helps add a level of authenticity to his haunting tributes to his troubled homeland. In the past, Quique has been known to perform wearing a balaclava (similar to the ones worn by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation) and has dedicated many of his songs to the struggle for human rights and the environment.

Quique may be guilty of taking a page from the book of Manu Chao, or Bob Marley, but only so that he can add his own regional twist to their influences. Quique Escamilla and the Band, in a short amount of time, have created a strong following behind their electrifying live shows and with a few more years we can be sure Quique will be taking a leadership role in Canada’s growing Alt-Latino movement.

Quique Escamilla and his band will be performing with Michael Franti & Speardhead on Thursday, June 14, 2012 as part of the Luminato Festival in Toronto. Details here.

And watch out for more shows this summer with Quique Escamilla and the Band!



(Review from: DOS MUNDOS Radio. CIUT-89.5FM [University of Toronto radio station])

http://www.dosmundosradio.com/vida/quique-escamilla-mexican-roots-rock-reggae/ - Dos Mundos. CIUT - 89.5 FM (University of Toronto Radio Station)