New York (KPRENSA) – Pistolera is something new. The band plays a totally original style of “Indie” rock. They mix traditional Mexican music with elements of rock, harmonious vocals, powerful guitar “riffs”, and a melodious accordion.

The quartet is a showcase for the songs of singer and guitarist Sandra Lilia Velásquez. Sung only in Spanish, the lyrics speak of love, of immigration, of the human and civil rights of Latinos, and other important subjuects.

The first CD of Pistolera “Siempre Hay Salida” debuted at #27 “World Music” CMJ radio chart. The album rose the chart and went to #13, between the band Ozomatli and the sountrack of the film Babel. At the time, Pistolera was the only indie artist in this important chart that measures radio success.

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The Story of the Band

Sandra Lilia Velásquez, of Mexican parents, was born and raised in San Diego and, in 1999 ,moved to New York to pursue her musical dreams. However, she missed her family, friends, sunny climate of Southern California, and the proximity of Mexico.

“I have always been a rocker” Sandra says “But, when I moved to New York, I immediately felt the lack of Mexican culture. I missed hearing Mexican Spanish, seeing Mexican food on every corner, and Mexican music. Pistolera really was born from me missing my culture. It was natural to start a band that combined my two sides.”

Immediately, Pistolera created something new in the indie rock scene. “Our sound is very much based on Mexican music, I think that caught the attention of a lot of people”. Besides to the success of the debut CD, the group has done several tours in the United States, Mexico and Europe.

Along with Velásquez, the band is Anie Cordero on drums, María Elena on the accordion and Inca B. Satz on base.

Success as an “Indie” band

For a band, the term “indie” relates to a “do it yourself” attitude and the ability to create a path outside of the influence of the companies of the mainstream music industry. Also, “indie” usually refers to those bands that are just starting and don’t have a contract with a record label.

“We released our first CD ourselves only on the Internet at sites like iTUNES.com, Amazon.com, CDBADY.com and in our own Internet sites Pistolera.net. and Myspace.com/pistoleramusic” Sandra confidently states “Many bands have their CDs in stores, but in that doesn’t mean people will buy it. There’s no substitute for playing live and creating your own buzz”.

New reality of the music industry

The success of the band is also an example of the new realities of the music industry. The Internet has become a growing presence for sales of music. In the United States, 16.2 million digital albums were legally downloaded in 2006. Likewise, if you look at downloads in terms of individual songs or “tracks, in 2006 420 million songs were legally downloaded.

Today, thanks to the Internet, a band can bring their music to the public more directly without the need to distribute the work through an intermediary, like a record company.

Velásquez believes this is a better situation for her band. For example, the lyrics of her song Cazador present a strong commentary on the activities of the group the Minutemen on the border with Mexico. “I am not sure that large record company would permit us to do that”, she reflects.

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