Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
This band has no press
Discography
Demo CD "The Hangover Sessions". Available to promoters and industry professionals.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The members of RANCHO MISTERIO share a mad passion for the conjunto music of Texas and northern Mexico. (Conjuntos were the great Spanish-language dance bands of the 30’s and 40’s.) Performed acoustically, often without any amplification whatsoever, their rousing and romantic songs are chiefly in the form of waltzes, polkas or slow, sad boleros. Some are instrumentals, others sung in English or Spanish; some are originals, others are timeless compositions by greats like Alvaro Carrillo and Jose Alfredo Jimenez.
The band, which was founded in 1999, is Toronto’s only conjunto band. They have performed frequently with other local roots outfits like the Backstabbers and the Cameron Family Singers. RANCHO MISTERIO performs every Friday at 8:30PM at Rancho Relaxo (300 College St.)
BAND BIO
TONY BENATTAR (upright bass and dobro):
A veteran of some of T.O.’s rockingest roots bands, Tony is also founder and owner of Liberty Boot Co., maker of some of the world’s finest cowboy boots. He performs each Saturday with the Cameron Family Singers at the Cameron House (408 Queen St. West).
ROD BOOTH (violin):
Rod is a classically trained violinist who also performs old-time country, down-home fiddle tunes and many other kinds of acoustic music. He performs every Saturday with the Cameron Family Singers (see above).
MAX METRAULT (rhythm guitar and voice):
Max is a Toronto songwriter, singer and translator with a long-standing fascination with Mexican culture. In the summer of 2004 he will release his second solo CD, Haunted Bodega. He is currently translating Spanish science fiction stories into English.
KEVIN QUAIN (accordian and upright bass):
A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Kevin performs in many local bands, including the Mad Bastards (every Sunday night at the Cameron House, 408 Queen West). His critically aclaimed musical, Tequila Vampire Matinee, recently enjoyed a successful run at Theatre Passe Muraille.
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