Y La Bamba | still from video
Y La Bamba explores growth and strength in new “Boca Llena” video
Portland singer-songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza is getting ready to release the latest album from her project Y La Bamba, and just shared a new track and video. “Boca Llena” is the third single from the forthcoming record Mujeres, out February 8. Y La Bamba just announced an East Coast tour this spring which includes a show at Johnny Brenda’s on April 9.
If you’re not already familiar, “Boco Llena” marks the perfect introduction to Y La Bamba’s infectious, Latin-infused folk; the video matches the song’s intensity with bright flashes of color. Watch below.
Mendoza shared a statement about the song, which explores her personal journey of growth and strength, in a press release.
This video was filmed by AJ Molle and co-directed by us both. I have been growing into my vision allowing myself to explore my creativity in other mediums. It’s important to me to bring light into all that I do. I am so grateful for my friends and for their support. We made up this dance to wiggle it out with no front. I always want to celebrate how vulnerable I am. I am here to share what it’s like to not hold back. The women that joined me on this crazy production adventure of mine are Vauhgn Kimmons (aka Brown Alice), Mia O’Connor-Smith and Isabeau Waia’u Walker. They are goddesses and powerful allies in my life and our community, together we move through shit. This song is about everything that I have been taking in so far until this point. It is about the things that I see and often feel, that due to the distractions and false ideals society forces on to some, parts of the world don’t see.
I feel it so deep, exhausted by the pain, beauty, discovery, inspiration and mystery in this reality. This leads me to this phrase of how I feel I exist with everything surrounding me. “Cancion de vida, palabra tierna, y boca llena de pura maldciion.” I talk about about wanting to be seen by my father. The abuse in his misogyny has made the relationship we have now. I claim I have my mothers eyes and that I’m whole and beautiful like her. It’s been an interesting journey in reclaiming my strength my power to protect my mother from all of the years that were robbed from her and from me. This song is about the tools I have gained through trauma and all the details that I have learned to see through difficult times.
See Y La Bamba’s full list of tour dates below and find more information on the XPN Concert Calendar.
Y La Bamba tour dates
February 9 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
February 10 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor tavern
February 12 – Sacramento, CA @ Momo (Harlow’s Upstairs)
February 13 – Chico, CA @ The Argus Bar
February 14 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
February 15 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe’s Alley
February 16 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
February 17 – Tustin, CA @ Marty’s on Newport
February 18 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
February 19 – Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole
February 20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar
February 21 – Truth or Consequences, NM @ TORC Brewing Co
February 22 – Silver City, CA @ Opera House
February 23 – Santa Fe, NM @ Ghost
February 24 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
March 12-16 – Austin, TX – SXSW
March 21-23 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Fest
April 9 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
April 10 – Washington, DC @ Songbyrd
April 11 – Brooklyn, NY @ BRIC
April 12 – New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine
April 13 – Kingston, NY @ BSP Kingston
April 14 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East – Upstairs
April 15 – Burlington, VT @ Nectar’s