September 2, 2005 | Posted by anders at 4:38 PM

argentine tango hipsters

Orquesta Tipica Alfronte

I just got back from a trip to Buenos Aires. Along with a new addiction to Yerba Mate, I've also developed a bit of a fascination with tango as a result.

In particular, I find it interesting how tango dancing and tango music are such a large part of popular urban youth culture there. In BA, going to milongas, tango dancing and listening to and playing tango music are extremely popular activities among the hip twenty-something crowd. the same people who, in the US, would be rebelling against something so traditional and listening to electronica, hip hop, indie rock and electroclash (though those are all also popular in BA with the same crowd).

I guess part of the appeal at least has to do with the fact that the music is really good. It's complex, dynamic and emotional, often straying into violent dissonance. Here are a couple tracks from CDs I brought back:

Also check out Fernández Fierro's website and their video for Prologo.

Unfortunately, I'm not really sure where or how one would go about buying music from FF or Afronte without going to Buenos Aires. If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments.

Comments

Yo man! Im Pancho, from Argentina. talkin about yerba mate, you should try "tereré" on summer. It´s similar to mate, but cold. You have to put the yerba in a glass cup instead of the mate, and prepare cold water with natural lemon or orange, and also you could add some mint leaves. It´s amazing man!!! hope you like it. (the firsts drinks are very yerba tasted, but the others are more delicious)

Posted by: Punk-cho at September 4, 2005 3:27 PM

I love all of these.
go violist

Posted by: Leigh at September 5, 2005 1:26 AM

Have you heard the Kronos Quartet? They're known for the Requiem for a Dream soundtrack, but their album Nuevo is somewhat along this vein.

Posted by: Dan at September 5, 2005 9:52 AM

Zival's records at Callao and Corrientes in Buenos Aires has everything at great prices, and their staff is friendly and helpful.

Posted by: Frank Ridgway at September 5, 2005 6:20 PM

As far as I can remember, being an Argetine ex-pat, the tango movement was not what it is today (mid to late 80's). I can, however, give you and your audience a pretty good website that ships worldwide and focuses solely on tango (and in English):

http://www.tangostore.com/home.php?lang=e

Also if you want to try more alt stuff try http://www.thor-records.com.ar/

Did you get Alfajores Havana? that stuff is almost U$S 30.00 a box here in NYC, a fraction of it there.

Take care,

Pelotudo Special

ps: if you want I could give you some pretty good Argentine music info - martinnewyork@gmail.com

Posted by: Pelotudo Special at September 6, 2005 5:49 AM

Love your site. For your addiction to Mate: I find that www.nativayerbamate has one of the best quality brands. They sell kilo bags (2.2 lbs.) at the reasonable price of 12.95. Their Mate is ground with no twigs, seeds, or stems! Madjag

Posted by: Madjag at September 9, 2005 2:54 PM
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