| Ocho de Bastos | |
|---|---|
Ocho de Bastos performing at The State Theatre, Washington DC Metro area. |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Puerto Rico |
| Genres | Latin Pop Rock |
| Years active | 2009 — Present |
| Labels | unsigned |
| Website | Ocho de Bastos |
| Members | |
| Daniel Santos Ernesto Quiñones Hipólito González Jesse Robles Milton Valentín |
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Ocho de Bastos is a Washington, D.C. Metro area Latin pop rock band formed in January 2009 by a group of young professionals. The band currently plays Spanish songs from the most recognized Latin rock bands as well as their own originals. In a short period of time, the band have become one of the most prominent representative of Latin pop rock in the local scene, as evidenced by their recognition from the major Latino media outlets in the Washington DC Metro area.[1] and also by the major media outlets in Puerto Rico.[2] Ocho de Bastos has served as opening talent for several well renowned artists in the genre as part of their US tours. Most notably, Los Enanitos Verdes [3], Jencarlos Canela, Jarabe de Palo, Caramelos de Cianuro, Vilma Palma e Vampiros, , Los Auténticos Decadentes, Zoé, Monte Negro, Bomba Estéreo, and Nito Mestre. The band had also participated in multiple large festivals[4] and charitable events where they had the opportunity to work with numerous professional artists and members of the entertainment media.
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The band's lineup consists of Milton Valentín as lead vocalist, Jesse Robles on lead guitar, Daniel Santos on keyboards, Hipólito González on bass guitar, and Ernesto Quiñones on drums.
After 10 years living and working in Washington D.C., Daniel realized there was a need to fill a gap in the Latin rock musical genre and set out on a journey to form a Latin rock band. Daniel discussed the idea with fellow drummer Ernesto Quiñones, while remembering the good old times of Latin rock bands of the early and mid 1990’s.[5] Part of the exciting memories went back to their college years at the University of Puerto Rico (Mayagüez Campus) where local bands like “La Mancha del Jardin”, “Sol D’ Menta”, and “Magallanes” infused their music with the passion and energy that kept their audiences constantly dancing, singing, and thoroughly entertained. With a strong vision on hand and the mission to help unite the Latin community through music, Daniel decided to search for other musicians with the enthusiasm necessary to start the band.
The name Ocho de Bastos ("Eight of Clubs") comes from a Spanish set of playing cards (the Barajas). The Spanish deck is normally made up of only 40 cards with four suites (Cups, Swords, Coins, Clubs),[6] and typically does not include the Eight of Clubs. The name of the band "Ocho de Bastos" was an adaptation to account for band member's Spanish heritage and to reflect that all of the songs played are in Spanish. Ocho de Bastos is also a card from the Spanish Tarot. It is a Minor Arcana that announces change, movement, and new beginnings. But among all mystical meanings, the name “Ocho de Bastos” relates to a popular phrase in Puerto Rico, which locals use when they are completely involved with something: “hasta el ocho de bastos”. The band members have expressed they feel the same way about music.[7]
The band has been featured in:
1. Univision - Ocho de Bastos interview
2. Telemundo - prime time news interview
3. Telefutura - Entertainment news program "Que Chicas!" interview
3. La Nueva 87.7FM, "Alejandro Negron y Los Vecinos" show interview
4. La Mega 106.9 FM, "El Circo de la Mega" show interview
5. Kesta Happening Magazine - Latin Music and Events magazine in the Washington DC Metro area
6. Hola Ciudad - premier hispanic online news source in the Washington DC Metro area
