IZCALLI is:
Brenda Avina: Bass
Miguel Avina: Lead Guitar/Vox
Mario Gonzalez: Drums
Izcalli formed in 2005 as a musical project by artist/musician Miguel Avina.
Originally an acoustic trio that included percussionist Luis Galaviz and Raul Chavelas, led by Avina on Vox and guitar. The trio quickly became a popular and exciting group to follow in the early years of the Rock En Tu Idioma (Rock In Your Language) scene in Denver.
Thanks to an opportunity by local concert promoter NIPP, Izcalli got its big break opening for Spanish artist BEBE at The Gothic Theatre. The realization and magnitude of the concert led the band to divert their musical direction from acoustic ballads to a more electric upbeat sound.
Izcalli’s first official release came in the form of a compilation CD, in which 9 other local Rock En Tu Idioma bands. Participated the album titled “Rock En Las Rocas Vol. 1”, was released in 2006 and helped the band cement itself as one of the leaders in the rock in Spanish movement in Denver. The album featured “Me Siento Solo” a classic musical success of the band as well as “Que Debe Fallar? (Marybel)” a blues ballad that is credited with much of their early success.
In late 2006 Izcalli introduced Brenda Avina (Tilted Balance) on the bass guitar, with the trio now established as a force in the local Spanish scene the success continued. Riding the wave of local success Izcalli was booked as a supporting act for many international artist touring in Denver such as Hombres G (Spain), Los Enanitos Verdes (Argentina), Lucybell (Chile), Motel y Lu (Mexico), Gloria Trevi (Mexico) among others.
2007 brought continued success for the band, the release of their debut album “Pintas en Pasteles” was received with much anticipation by a sold out room at The Hard Rock Café Denver. Following their debut release the band relieved Luis Galaviz as their drummer introducing Mario Gonzalez (Escoria, El Cro, Madafra). The change sparked another wave of musical creativity and further assisted in their rise as a prominent band of Rock in Spanish. Shortly after the release of “Pintas” the band was invited as the opening act for Hombres G for it’s west coast portion of their US Tour, the dates included Salt Lake City UT, Seattle WA and Sacramento, CA.
In 2008 the stage was set for further development, Izcalli participated in the promotion of the Nuevos Ricos 2008 USA Tour with Maria Daniela y su Sonido Lasser and Silverio. Later that year a participation at Escandalo de Verano 2008 alongside Ivy queen, Grupo Mania, Abraham Quintanilla and Los Kumbia All-Stars proved that Izcalli’s brand of rock is versatile enough to attract and ignite a diverse crowd. That year the band was also the opener for Jaguares at the Ogden Theatre as well as Los Enanitos Verdes for a third time at The Gothic Theatre.
2009 brought upon the release of Izcalli’s second independent album titled “Despiertame” in front of a sold out crowd at the Walnut Room Denver. The LP included tracks such as “Amor Real” and “Nunca te Faltan las Ganas de Hablar” that demonstrated the growth the band had made from their previous release as well as exposing fans to a fresh take on their influences of Classic Rock, Ska, and Mexican Folk Music. The album also produced “Horsie Song” a tune that resembles the band’s more contemporary American indie influences. The band was also a special guest performer with the Mexican pop/rock group Reik at The Ogden Theatre, opportunity that the band took to expose their musical creation to yet another market.
The promotion of “Despiertame” continued for greater part of 2010 with the band touring to nearby states Utah, Kansas and Missouri including an appearance at Kansas City’s own Power and Light District alongside Pastilla (LA). A performance at the Cinco de Mayo Celebrations at Civic Center Park Denver, CO was another great accomplishment for the band that year. Izcalli continued to promote itself as well as the Rock in Spanish scene in Denver by founding RETI=Rock En Tu Idioma LLC a promoter that is dedicated to propagating Spanish music in the US.
Now in 2011 the band prepares itself to enter the studio and work on their third LP as well as continue their never-ending fight to bring Rock en Tu Idioma to the masses and to you all.
