Pico y Los Gatos Baratos

Anna Garcia y yo.
Foto: Diane Salante

Many of you don't know that I play music for children (3 months to five years old) as well as a adults. My repertoire goes from Seven Nation Army to Los Pollitos. I've been playing for kids, through two different companies here in New York City: Bilingual Birdies and Creative Kids Play. Top of their field, these two, and I feel very lucky to be employed by them. I urge you to visit their websites.

Moving on, I've started Pico y Los Gatos Baratos, a band that plays music for families: meaning, daddies, mommies and their offspring! Our first gig was on Halloween Day at Pantomima Daycare in Sunset Park. I wore a cat-mask and painted a dark nose; Anna Garcia painted some cute whiskers on her cheeks and we went for it.

We did the classic children songs like Wheels on the Bus, Happy and You Know It, ABC, Twinkle Twinke, but we also did Hound Dog, Lloraras, The Twist, Guantanamera. People -I'm saying people, not just kids, were dancing. The kids were jumping all around, freeze-dancing. It was a sight for sore eyes. And we're doing it again.

Pico y Los Gatos Baratos will be playing it's second gig at Pantomima on November 21st. Save the date! It'll be our Thanksgiving Extravaganza (name is subject to change and also time TBA).

Now this is a show for kids. (I'd say 2, 3, 4, 5.) But any and every age is invited. But it's a show for kids, so expect, Bah Bah Black Sheep, but dance to Baracunatana. Guaranteed. I can't wait to show you the concept, although the word gato sure is a giveaway.

Pico y los Gatos Baratos.
Foto: Diane Salante.

It is worth mentioning that at Pantomima that evening, my band, Los Gatos Baratos, was made of only one gata, Anna Garcia, who killed it with her trumpet playing and amazing improv abilities.

Bring your kids to the show! Tell your friends about it! I will be posting more information. For now, save the date: November 21st. Pico y Los Gatos Baratos

Ciao,
Erik Barragán

Después del Lunes!

Erik Barragán y su Orquesta.
Foto: Kari Pepper.

So, last Monday I hosted and ran the Lunes de Locura event at Lovecraft in the East Village. My thought was to put on a quick but boozy Monday show where people could laugh and dance. And, I'm happy to say, mission accomplished. The event featured two very funny ladies, who had the crowd in stitches, Christina Galston and Chrissie Mayr. And of course, on the music front, the enigmatic Axel Itto and the debut of my band: Erik Barragán y su Orquesta.

Comedian Christina Galston started the night. She reminded me of Rosie Perez -very funny. Follow her on Twitter.

Christina Galston.
Foto: Kari Pepper.

Next, Axel Itto stormed the stage delivering a set that was both explosive and subtle. I don't know how he did it, but it was intimate and bombastic all at once. His drumming was especially on point that night -always driving forward. Fantastic set. Listen to him on SoundCloud.

Axel Itto.
Foto: Kari Pepper.

Then Chrissie Mayr took the mic, and her material was hilariously raunchy. I witnessed some of the audience blush. She works a lot and has been featured in numerous podcasts and on the show This Weekend on Laughs on Fox 5. Follow her on Twitter.

Chrissie Mayr
Foto: Kari Pepper.

And then it was time for Erik Barragán y su Orquesta.

From left to right: Anna Garcia, Erik Barragán, Sarah Blackburn.
Foto: Kari Pepper.

What can I say about the the talented musicians playing with me? They were on point. Anna Garcia on trumpet, her solos were delicious. Sarah Blackburn's beautiful voice adorning the song's melodies, it was gold.

We did a mix of my originals and covers; at one point my brother grabbed one of his friends and danced to our rendition of Llorars de Oscar de León. 

Foto: Kari Pepper.

I will keep you posted for our next show. In the mean time go check out my SoundCloud. 

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Lunes de Locura (Un Experimento)

Lunes de Locura is an eclectic, hilarious program that mixes comedy, world music and an easy, boozy vibe. Don't bring the kids. I wanted to vary the band-after-band-after-band format, and since I love comedy, I thought it'd be a good match. So this is definitely an experiment. 

Ideally, you'll come, have a drink, laugh, dance, laugh and dance some more, and then be on your way by 9:30. Fun filled, dance fueled, work-conscious New York City night.

It's happening at Lovecraft located at 50 Ave. B in the East Village. Doors open at 6:26 and show starts at 7:06. 

I've chosen Lunes de Locura to debut mi Orquesta and my new compositions and re-imaginings. Also, I've surrounded myself with some of the best acts New York City can offer. My brother Axel Itto is doing an acoustic set, and  two very talented comedians Chrissie Mayr (follow her on Twitter) and Christina Galston (her too) are going to provide the much needed relief from your godforsaken Monday. 

See you there!

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Summertime

When I was rehearsing last Saturday, I recorded this on my friend's phone. The recording wasn't good, and it was scratchy and muffled. I liked it quite a bit, so I played with it on Garageband. It's edited but not mastered. Raw, baby, that's how it goes.

Ciao,
Erik Barragán

Pirata, Axel Itto's New Single, is out!

My brother Axel has just released his new single titled Pirata (Pirate). It's a mix of Andean music and cumbia. The instrument playing the intro is called a charango, and that particular charango is from Bolivia. Have a listen and enjoy!

Ciao,
Erik Barragán

Wednesdays and Fridays at Champignon and More Updates!

So, as most of you know, I play quite a bit at a Chelsea restaurant called Champignon. I started a year or two ago, and lately crowds are starting to form. To the point, the servers were mad at me the other Friday because my people were blocking the door! It's all good; I get along very well with the servers. Anyway, they've given me their lunchtime time slot. That's right! Every Wednesday at 1pm, I'll be delighting the lunch crowd with the hits of yesteryear, and the more recent pop jewels our fantastic celebrities keep popping out. Of course, I'm still playing every other Friday, and this Friday, starting at 7pm, I'll be there seducing you with my voice and my dance moves. Wanna see one of my moves? Look up at the flyer above. I taught him that dance.

Also, coming up on October 19th, I'll be partnering with stand up comedian, Chrissie Mayr, for a show at Lovecraft on the East Village. More info on that to come. Certainly, you're going to love it. 

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Bésame Mucho

I recorded this right after one of my classes. Then I came home and played with it on Garageband. Check it out!

Also, starting this Wednesday, I'll be playing lunchtime at Champignon. Come at 2pm, Happy Hour starts at 11am.

Ciao,

Erik Barragán