A&E

Fest Focus: Grupo Fantasma

by Van McNeil

“Real musicians playing real music.” – Prince

Grupo Fantasma is a nine-piece Latin funk orchestra from Austin. The group won a Grammy for Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album in 2011 for their self-produced release El Existential, which the Wall Street Journal called “Latin music both new and traditional ... vibrant fusions that transcend easy classification.”

The band’s critically acclaimed performances have garnered the attention of many, described by NPR as “seamless whenever and wherever they’re on stage.” They’ve performed or recorded with the likes of James Brown’s saxophonist Maceo Parker, Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets, GZA of the Wu Tang Clan and cult Austin artist Daniel Johnston. They’ve also been the backing band for super-fan Prince on numerous occasions. Additionally their cover of the Chicago song “Saturday in the Park” was featured on an episode of this one show you may have heard of called Breaking Bad.

Do you want the funk? Do you need the funk? Grupo Fantasma got it, so stop whining and come get it.

Grup Fantasma will be performing two sets for Festival International. Their first will be April 23 from 7:45-9 p.m. on the Scene Lafayette General Fais Do Do stage followed by an April 25 performance from 8:30-9:45 p.m. at the Scene Stabil Drill International stage.

Here’s the music video for Grupo Fantasma’s “Montañozo” featuring the “Dirty Car Artist” Scott Wade: