By JOHN DALY
Popular psych-soul band Chicano Batman has released a new video called Freedom Is Free based on the title track of its latest album. It’s a serious subject handled in a matter-of-fact way but packs a punch.
Freedom Is Free via ATO Records earlier this year. The album speaks volumes during the political climate of this time.
Chicano Batman is comprised of Bardo Martinez on guitar, keyboards and vocals, Eduardo Arenas on bass, guitar, vocals, Gabriel Villa on drums and vocals and Carlos Arévalo on guitar. The dapper, tuxedo-sporting guys have an immense following, particularly in Southern California.
Check out Freedom Is Free here:
“Freedom is a word that describes one of our best states of being,” says the band. “It’s a birthright, subject only to the infinite flow of the elements. When we fight abusive governing bodies or oppressive forces that try to control our freedom, we are actually fighting them to accept something which is universal in nature.”
The Freedom Is Free video was filmed by Latin Grammy-winning director Carl Zitelmann.
“Oppressors usually design situations so people succumb to racism, hate, resentment, etc, in order to benefit their agendas,” Zitelmann said. “The purpose of showing the band both peacefully and defiantly in a circumstance as extreme as being tortured by drowning was exactly that: you can take away the air from me, but you can’t change me.”
Chicano Batman starts a fall tour this week with three SOLD OUT nights at The Fonda in LA. Khruangbin and The Shacks join for most of the dates, which can be found here. For more info go to the Chicano Batman website.
Chicano Batman Tour Dates
Sep 21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre **SOLD OUT**
Sep 22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre **SOLD OUT**
Sep 23 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre **SOLD OUT**
Sep 29 — Milwaukee, WI — Turner Hall Ballroom #
Sep 30 — Chicago, IL — Thalia Hall #
Oct 01 – Toronto, ON – The Mod Club #
Oct 03 – Columbus, OH – The A&R Music Bar #
Oct 04 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club #
Oct 05 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza #
Oct 06 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw #
Oct 07 – Boston, MA – Paradise #
Oct 08 — Philadelphia, PA — Theater of the Living Arts #
Oct 20 – Black Mountain, NC – Leaf Festival #
Oct 21 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre #
Oct 22 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West #
Oct 24 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger #
Oct 25 – Dallas, TX – Grenada Theater #
Oct 27-Oct 29 – New Orleans, LA – Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
Oct 28 – Austin, TX – Emo’s #
Oct 29 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live #
Oct 31 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theatre #
Nov 01 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre #
Nov 02 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge #
Nov 03 – Las Vegas, NV – Fremont Country Club #
Nov 04 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren #
Nov 10 — Oakland, CA — Fox Theater #
Nov 11 — Long Beach, CA — Queen Mary Events Park #
Nov 12 – Reno, NV – Whitney Peak Hotel #
Nov 14 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theatre #
Nov 15 – Fresno, CA – Strummer’s #
Nov 16 – Arcata, CA – Van Duzer Theatre @ HSU #
Nov 17 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom #
Nov 18 — Seattle, WA — The Showbox #
# w/ Khruangbin & The Shacks
