Como las Movies Credit: photo by Jana Birchum

Como Las Movies, Cilantro Boombox, Este Vato

Spider House, Jan. 2

Infusing the first Friday of Free Week with sizzling Latin rhythms, Austin’s brightest crews banished the indie shuffle from Spider House’s Ballroom. Eightpiece hip-hop syndicate Este Vato optimized every inch of the stage with its rambunctious brass chapter and a key query: “Where are my cumbia dancers at?” The crowd, mostly young Latinos but peppered with dancers of all shades and stripes, answered in kind. They might not be able to wiggle out a cumbia, but Jalapeño Business had couples forming organically all across the floor. Funky octet Cilantro Boombox provided the afterglow, working “Voodoo” from its 2012 eponymous debut and a raunchy rendition of reggae titan Gregory Isaacs’ syrupy “Night Nurse.” After the entire lineup returned onstage for an extended jam, Como las Movies began its haunting rasp. Estrella de Leon’s smooth vocals slowed the tempo, leaving the remaining dancers to wind around freely. Those delicate vocals and Melanie Morgan’s bouncing accordion flourished under interstellar chirps and distortion.

This article appears in January 9 • 2015.

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