Music Reporter - August 12, 2004

Mexican rock/hip-hop band Cafe Tacuba has had a whirlwind stretch of years. In 2002, they signed a worldwide deal with MCA Records. But only a few months after "Cuatro Caminos" was released last year, the MCA brand was eliminated, and the company and its artists were absorbed into Geffen Records. The album could have easily fallen through the cracks. However, Cafe Tacuba persevered by promoting the record and touring.

Now Cafe Tacuba and founding member Emmanuel "Meme" Del Real are nominated for three and five Latin Grammy Awards, respectively. The band is up for album of the year and best alternative album for "Cuatro Caminos," and hit song "Eres" is nominated as best music video. Del Real is separately nominated as the songwriter for "Eres," which will compete for song of the year and best rock song.

Del Real says he'll be on hand for the fifth annual Latin Grammy Awards, which will be held Sept. 1 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. For Latin alternative-rock acts like Cafe Tacuba, U.S. television exposure only can help the band cross over into the Anglo market.

"It's people thinking about your music," Del Real says. "If we get an award or if we don't, it doesn't make our music better or worse. But there is a lot of attention around the Latin Grammys, and maybe some people who didn't know our music might look and give it a try if we get an award. Our music is to share with the people and with whoever wants to enjoy it, so if the Grammys help us, it's great."

The key to Cafe Tacuba's survival has been a healthy work ethic, dedication to good music and above all the ability to ride out music industry fluctuations.

"MCA disappeared, then we become Geffen," Del Real says. "Yes, of course it affects us, but we have been through things like this in the past. We know that what stays is the music. If we have good music, it's going to be OK. We really appreciate the effort of all of the new guys (at Geffen). We have to think that way. Of course when we received the news, you say, 'Wow, what is going to happen now?' But at the end, things always keep working. I think that now (the music business) is crazier than ever, and tomorrow it's going to be even more so. We are living in a really changing time in the industry."

Cafe Tacuba took a year off before working on "Cuatro Caminos." They recorded the album in Mexico City, Los Angeles and Buffalo, N.Y., and collaborated with A-list producers Gustavo Santaolalla, Dave Fridmann and Andrew Weiss.

"We were 12 years old as a band, and we decided to take a year to separate from each other," Del Real says. "At the end, you can never cut (the ties) between you and the band because there is always decisions to be made. But it really helped us to come back with a nice energy and (be) more focused. It was a healthy decision for the band, so we can keep working on what we like, which is doing albums, music and shows."

The band just wrapped a summer tour with Control Machete, Ely Guera Liquits and Maldita Vecindad. Touring has been a cornerstone for the group — a way to bring in new fans and keep momentum for the music going, especially given the fact that Anglo radio does spin rock in Spanish.

"I don't know … if radio is going to change," Del Real says. "I think there is a big barrier in (the United States). In Mexico, when I was a teenager, we listened to a lot of rock, hard rock and disco in English. I didn't know what they were talking about, but it was a normal and cultural thing to listen to (music in English). I think most of the people in the States don't enjoy listening to music that is not sung in English. But I have learned that when they come to the show, they really enjoy it. We cross the barrier, and the language doesn't matter."