Funky Latina Podcast

Welcome back to the Funky Latina Podcast! Today we’re diving into the electric world of The Sols, a group blending surf punk with Chicano pride. We chat about their roots spanning San Diego and Tijuana, how Chicano heritage fuels their signature sound, and the story behind their band name. We also look ahead to their upcoming Arizona debut at Emo Primos at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix on Saturday, October 10th. Tickets on sale now!

Beyond the music, we talk about Chicano representation, building community, and taking space in alt scenes. If you love alt-rock, emo, and energetic live shows, you won't want to miss this. Check out The Sols on Instagram @thesolsband, stream them on Spotify, and catch them live in Phoenix!

Welcome back to the Funky Latina podcast! In this episode, I sit down with indie musician Benny Moralez to dive into his creative journey and the release of his latest EP, "The Running Man". We explore how his rich cultural heritage influences his unique sound, which seamlessly blends rock, punk, and alternative and discuss the inspirations behind his evolving artistry in a rapidly changing music industry.

We also take a closer look at the standout track "Apocalypse Now," (my favorite track) unpacking the heartfelt lyrics and the universal feelings of longing and connection that make it resonate so deeply with listeners. Join us for an engaging conversation about staying creatively inspired, overcoming industry hurdles, and why Benny Moralez is an artist you need to add to your playlist right now!

In this episode of the Funky Latina podcast, I’m recapping the incredible fifth annual Funky Latina Music Festival. It took a year of planning, but seeing our community show up early and fill the dance floor made every moment worth it. A huge thank you to our sponsors and everyone who joined us to make Arizona’s premier Latin Indie music festival such a success!

We also dive deep into the lineup, featuring the eclectic sounds of Vinyl Vagos, Ozs, Mannequins, Introverted Funk, Las Lloronas and headliner Vanita Leo. The festival continues to be a vibrant space for music discovery, and I’m so grateful for the energy you all brought. Thank you for being part of our festival—I can’t wait to create more memories with you all next year! 

Do you know what today is? It’s the Funky Latina’s sixth anniversary, and this episode is a monumental celebration from beginning to end! Six years—a significant milestone—of passion, dedication, and finding the perfect concert purse. It’s been six years of event producing, music blogging, community building introducing you to your new favorite artist and not to mention producing Arizona’s only Latin Indie music festival the Funky Latina Music Festival. 

This momentous occasion is being marked by a truly special event: the presentation of the coveted Funky Latina of the Year Award, recognizing an individual whose contribution to the community and the culture exemplifies the spirit of The Funky Latina. Press play and let’s get into! 

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The countdown is on! With less than 50 days until the Funky Latina Fest, your girl is busy, but never too busy to talk about the music that fuels us. This week, we're diving deep into the true power of music, starting with the cultural seismic shift that was Bad Bunny absolutely SLAYING the Grammys. From winning Album of the Year to his iconic acceptance speech, Benito is proving that being 100% authentically ourselves—in our art and in life—is the ultimate win. We’ll be extra Puerto Rican this Sunday (and always!) rooting him on. Plus, we celebrate some other notable wins: the insanely talented Durand Bernarr's Grammy-winning album BLOOM is on repeat and we dive into the smooth sounds of Olivia Dean. Song of the Week: Judith - "DIVA." Raised in a Mexican-Honduran household, Judith's Hispanic roots flow effortlessly through her art. After hearing "NADA," we're hooked!

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Girl, she's back and better than ever! The Funky Latina, is kicking off Season 2 with a super dedicated, music-focused vibe. She's reintroducing herself as your favorite event producer, host, and "music expert," spilling the tea on all her amazing projects like Funky Latina Fest, Emo Primos, and her collabs with big names like Verizon and Complex. Plus, she's giving us a recap of the 2025 Funky Latina Festival and announcing the 2026 event happening Saturday, March 21st at Walter Studios, featuring fierce artists like Vanita Leo and Las llornas. Get ready to update your playlist because she's wrapping up with her "Song of the Week," recommendation. 

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Are concerts better in Mexico? Or is it the fans? We debate this topic in my interview with Mexico City native, actress and singer Ximena Sariñana. She’s played all over the world and is releasing her new EP, "Rompe". Tune in as we discuss her cultural influences and she gives advice on how to have a long lasting career in the entertainment industry. We briefly recap the Funky Latina Music festival and celebrate the Latinas taking over the music industry from Becky G’s documentary debut to Reggaeton Con La Gata newest podcast!

Ximena Sariñana is performing on Sunday, April 27th at Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix. Head to my Instagram for a chance to win tickets!

Are you ready to discover your new favorite Latin Indie Artist!? Let me introduce you to Niko Rubio! She's an LA based bilingual singer/song writer with Mexican and Salvadorian roots. In this episode we discuss her journey of artist discovery as she takes us on a trip through her genre bending music. She hints at new music on the way and perhaps event debuting a few songs when she headlines The Funky Latina Music Festival on Saturday, March 29th at Walter Studios in Phoenix, AZ.

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I’m kicking off music festival season with an interview from Vortxz,  a bilingual Latin Indie band from Houston, Texas. Last year they headlined the Funky Latina Music Festival and this experience inspired a whole tour! Now they have an album under their belt and just released two new singles. In the last few years Vortxz has created a whole universe that is fan centered and music driven. Tune as we chat about their cultural influence on their sound, their upcoming tour and what new music from Vortxz will sound like!

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Some people are celebrating Valentine’s day, but WE are celebrating The Funky Latina’s fifth anniversary! Take a trip down memory lane as she recaps the last five years and highlights the previous awardees of the Funky Latina of the year award. Don’t miss an interview with Content Creator and Radio Personality Priscilla Ornelas from The Priscilla Show on Mix 96.6. In this intimate interview Priscilla shares how her cultural background influenced her life in radio. Priscilla also shares some of her favorite music memories and reveals her favorite love songs! Congratulations to Priscilla for being named the 2025 Funky Latina of the Year!

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