Chicago's Festival de Musica Electronica Latina (FMEL)

FMEL is a space that unites electronic and digital concepts of sound, music and art created by Latin American artists with a global perspective for its fusion and diffusion. As such, the objective of FMEL is to expand and enhance Latin American digital culture in Chicago through global cultural connections. FMEL desires opportunities to broaden its audience, venues and locations of the festival as well as its programming. Each year has brought new elements from live Internet broadcasting to international representations of FMEL in Chicago and in Mexico City. FMEL would like to collaborate with other cities, nationally and internationally as well as be able to host and present year round programming some time in the near future.

the first FMEL in 2007 focused on introducing international digital sound artists and musicians to the Chicago Latino community via a free all-ages event in a small gallery of Chicago, Pilsen neighborhood. Showcasing international, national and local musicians, such as Antiguo Autómata Mexicano, Seekers Who are Lovers, Kobol, Labo-Labs, Echonine and Perfect Kiss. During both days of digital and electronic sounds, there was a multitude of presentations via digital video, graphic design, photography, painting and sculpture created by young Latino artist residing in Chicago. There were also interactive sessions like ‘‘Circuit Bending’’ (allowing the extraction of sounds through children’s toys) and a ‘‘Jam Session’’ (improvised interaction of coordinate sounds).

FMEL 2008 refreshed the Latin electronic music scene with vanguard sounds of digital manipulation and experimentation. It explored electronic music as a concept and some of its various genres like: techno, breakbeat, down-tempo, experimental jazz and cut & paste to name a few. The participating artists were: Carrie, Fax, Cubenx, Kampion, Kobol, Dark Party.

Visit www.fmelchicago.com for more info regarding dates, schedule locations and artists performing at this year's FMEL. Also, Chicago Public Radio conducted an interview with Brenda Hernadez, host of thr FMEL. Listen to the interview here.