Texas-based, GRAMMY-nominated La Maquinaria Norteña (pronounced “Lah Ma-kee-NAR-ee-ah Nor-TEN-ya”) and Rolling Stone’s "perpetual live favorite,”Randy Rogers Band, collaborated on a new song called “Chupacabra” that released on May 5 — Cinco de Mayo.
“This song is a product of lockdown and division that slapped our world In the face," says Randy Rogers. "Keith and I had a vision of joining forces and cultures to create something to believe in. The common man, humanity, and the gift of music and how it can bring us all together. Chupacabra is real, it’s our way of reminding you that the human condition is actually, love.”
Adds Keith Nieto, band leader for La Maquinaria Norteña, “Randy and I met through a mutual friend on the GRAMMY (Texas Chapter) board named Carlos Álvarez. Carlos is with Azteca Music Group which is La Maquinaria Norteña’s record label. At one point mid-2020, Carlos presented an opportunity to work on a song with Randy and I accepted the offer. I took a trip to Randy’s house where we wrote what is now called ‘Chupacabra,’ and what’s funny is that I had already written part of the song in English! Since then a great friendship has evolved. Our wives are also in touch and were planning a couples trip to Cabo San Lucas!! They also have the same taste in dogs and now we have matching white Pomeranian dogs. All in all it’s been a great experience. We hope ‘Chupacabra’ is the next big line dance to hit!”
The band recently completed the music video for “Chupacabra,” which was filmed at Silver Saloon in Terrell, TX and produced and directed by Andy Tran for Muddy Shutter Media (MSM).
“With a dance hall flavored song like 'Chupacabra,' a line dance was not a question," Keith says. "Randy's initial idea, with help of some family and friends, came about for the dance and was finalized literally during the shoot at the venue when one of the extras (Nicole Padilla) put the ending touch to the dance step together with Randy. The goal was to create simple moves that go with the song. We hope to see everyone doing the 'Chupacabra' on their personal social media and in dance halls everywhere, soon!”
About Randy Rogers Band:
In a business where bands come and go and membership is often a revolving door, the Randy Rogers Band — dubbed "a perpetual live favorite" byRolling Stone— has been making music and touring together for nearly 19 years. The culmination of the six-member band’s musical journey thus far can be heard on its latest album,Hellbent(4.26). The 11 tracks were produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves) and recorded at the legendary RCA Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee. Randy and the band have become skilled at capturing a unique live energy and passion on their albums andHellbentis the perfect example. With lifetime streams nearing 300 million, this "endearing and enduring country treasure" (MusicRow Magazine) continues to forge ahead — "the guarantee of good music and a good time is what keeps fans coming back" (New York Times). So, what keeps a band together for nearly two decades? Randy cites the blend of the members’ distinctive personalities, represented in a dynamic musical chemistry that has taken the Randy Rogers Band beyond the competitive music scene in their native Texas, to a national fan base with sold-out shows across the country.
About La Maquinaria Norteña:
La Maquinaria Norteña (The Mean Machine) was founded by Keith Nieto in April of 2006 in Roswell, New Mexico. The band consists of Keith Nieto on the saxophone, Rory Nieto on the accordion, Tony Nieto on drums, Edgar Magdaleno on six-string bass, and Sergio Soto “La Mozka” with his incomparable vocals and bajo sexto. The band is known for its regional Mexican music in the Norteño sax song style with modern and contemporary compositions within the Mexican Regional genre; emphasized by the saxophone and accordion. The band has been honored with two GRAMMY nominations (Best Regional Mexican album), one Latin Grammy nomination (Best Norteño album), two“Premio Lo Nuestro”nominations, and performed at 2015 Houston Rodeo "Go Tejano Day" at Reliant Stadium to an audience of more than 75,357.