Creating Films at Swallow Hill Music: A Latin Perspective | Denver Westword

Making Movies, the Kansas City band known for their eclectic blend of American music with Latin American rhythms, is set to deliver their fourth album, XOPA. The band’s unique sound, which incorporates African-derived percussion and styles like rumba, merengue, mambo, and cumbia, has garnered them a dedicated following.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Enrique Chi, along with his brother Diego Chi on bass, percussionist Juan-Carlos Chaurand, and drummer Duncan Burnett, are committed to exploring the connections between genres and cultures. Their goal is to create music that reflects their individual identities and tells their stories.

Making Movies has collaborated with legendary musicians like Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Rubén Blades, Hurray for the Riff Raff, and Ozomatli’s Asdru Sierra. Their live shows are known for their energy and dynamism, with the band fully immersed in every groove they play.

Joining Making Movies at the Tuft Theatre is Fruta Brutal, a band led by Ecuadorian-born, US-raised musician Martín Better Longo. Fruta Brutal’s blend of indie rock, pop, and Latin American music has gained them a following across Latin America. Their latest EP, “Madre Serpiente,” produced by Grammy Award-winning producers, showcases their signature sound.

Fruta Brutal, performing as a quintet, has headlined sold-out shows in Denver and shared the stage with bands like Flor de Toloache and Izcalli. With a message of celebrating cultural diversity, the band continues to captivate audiences with their bilingual repertoire and infectious energy.