Mexican Indie Rock: A Growing Music Genre

By Lesly Milan
Music Journalist

Mexican rock music has been around for generations and bands like Caifanes, Maná, Jaguares, Molotov and many others have played a major role in the Mexican alternative music scene. As Mexican rock music evolves, the Mexican indie rock genre, which has been influenced by traditional rock music, has emerged.

While indie rock music in English is well-known and popularized by bands like the Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mexican indie rock is still on its way to receive the recognition it deserves.

Luckily, there are plenty of Mexican indie rock bands that are making a name for the genre. These bands are creating a new rock sound that is different from the traditional rock music that listeners are used to hearing.

One Mexican indie rock band that heavily resembles the band’s Surf Curse and Peach Pit, specifically because of their unique guitar riffs, is Los Blenders. This Mexican band can be described as the perfect mix of surf rock and garage rock music. Their uplifting sound and catchy melodies make up for the fact that you may not be able to sing along to the song unless you speak Spanish.

Los Blenders definitely make music for people who like to romanticize their lives and cruise around town with their windows rolled down, blasting music for everyone to hear. Their songs “Ha Sido” and “Amigos” are a good place to start if you’re wanting to give them a listen.

If you’re left wanting to explore more after listening to Los Blenders, O Tortuga is another Mexican indie rock band that is on the rise. O Tortuga gives off a beach day feel with their surf rock sound. While O Tortuga is similar in sound to Los Blenders, you can clearly hear a bigger punk influence in O Tortuga’s songs.

O Tortuga could be referred to as the Mexican version of FIDLAR, especially in FIDLAR’s self-titled album. O Tortuga’s instrumentals and fuzzy vocals match up with FIDLAR’s sound. The only difference is the language. My go-to O Tortuga song recommendations are “Ferrari” and “Siempre Vago,” two songs that always pump me up and get me on my feet.

O Tortuga and Los Blenders are only two of the many Mexican indie rock bands that are coming out of the shadows. The genre is growing and other bands like Policias y Ladrones, Jóvenes Adultos, Señor Kino and Hey! Olympics are becoming more well-known among Mexican rock music fanatics. This genre is just getting started and I can’t wait to see what other new bands will come from it!

Featured Image by Los Blenders Bandcamp Page