Just returning from my neighbour's "pachanga", complete with authentic mariachis and quite pleasantly drunk...I've decided that mariachi music equates to the blues for latinos. That shit is some good stuff!

I used to have this crazy friend who was obsessed with throwing the biggest, weirdest parties ever. So, one year he curated a variety show and to raise money for it, he hired a 19 piece mariachi band to play a smallish bar/club around here. I laughed my ass off when he told me about it, but once they started playing live, I changed my tune. That music's great drunk or sober.

Oh, and when I dated a Mexican guy, his mom used to play mariachi music really loud on weekend mornings. (Yes, he lived with his parents) I loved waking up to it.

I totally love mariachi music. Some of the songs bring me to tears as to how beautifully played they can be.

Since they got their accordians from German immigrants in Texas, it's basically true.

Actually, that's a different style of music altogether. Mariachi music typically involves violins, guitars, a bass and trumpets.

Norteño music involves the accordion. The Germans settled in the northern part of Mexico and introduced the instrument and polka-style music to the natives.

Exactly... the sad thing is that many gabachos hear any music with a latin beat or sung in Spanish and think it is the same.

Rancheros, cumbias, corridos, mariachis, romantica... the range in Mexican music is as great as the distance from Merle Haggard to Sonic Youth to Son House.

I concur, mariachi music, at its best, is classy, powerful, deeply emotional music....

What does pachanga mean?

Pachanga = party / celebration

That's what I guessed out of context, but I wasn't sure. There's a restaurant nearby called "Pachanga", which is why I asked.

Rodrigo y Gabriella

Where I work, the neighbors sometimes throw parties and play that stuff. Loud.

The rhythms blow me away, sometimes. Where do they come up with that shit? As a drummer, it befounds me.

Hahaha, Rodrigo y Gabriela are NOT mariachi music. Grant it, they're incredible guitarists. They have a more Spanish Flamenco style mixed with speed metal.

Yea, I know. I just wanted to throw it in there.

TJ, you're a goofball!

White man's blues = non existent.

Sometimes it's hard being Honky...

Patsy Cline, George Jones.