ORQUESTRA PACÍFICO TROPICAL "El Poder" Uniting People Across The World To Love Each Other, Dance, And Be Grateful

PSYCHEDELIC CUMBIA COLLECTIVE ORQUESTRA PACIFICO TROPICAL RELEASES “CHIPI CHIPI” AHEAD OF NEW ALBUM OUT FRIDAY

A PLAYFUL YET SOMBER REMINDER TO APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE

EL PODER OUT THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 19

UNITING PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD TO LOVE EACH OTHER, DANCE, AND BE GRATEFUL

Today, psychedelic cumbia collective Orquestra Pacifico Tropical releases “Chipi Chipi,” the final preview from their new album, El Poder, an album meant to unite, empower, and uplift people across the world, out Friday, June 19. The energetic track is a playful yet somber reflection on appreciating the little things in life.

“’Chipi Chipi’ is slang for rain drizzle,” says the band. “The vocals are manipulated to make them sound like our sister group, DRECKIG, which is husband & wife duo Papi & Shana’s band. It is a sort of ode to them while having them ‘guest’ on the album with OPT as a backup band. The lyrics are focused on appreciating the small things in life, such as friendships, being alive, community, family, and just straight-up gratitude for all that we have on this temporary plane of existence. As the song travels through melodious rhythms, the ending’s repeated lyrics express & reaffirms our statement: ‘Mirando al cielo azúl, me da sonrisa’ — Looking up at the blue sky, it smiles at me.”

WATCH/SHARE THE OFFICIAL “CHIPI CHIPI” VISUALIZER

1. El Poder

2. Fantasma

3. Entre La Montaña

4. Chipi Chipi

5. Desierto

6. Cumbia Locura

7. Escalofriante

8. Diablada

Written in a beachside cabin and recorded in Portland, Oregon on vintage gear, El Poder finds OPT continuing its traditional cumbia-centric path, while also delving into salsa and psychedelic northwest-inspired sounds. The cloudy, overcast mood of the coastal forest afforded obvious inspiration, which could be heard on the demo recordings. A warm, inviting living-room session amongst close friends truly allowed for spontaneous creativity and earnest musicianship at a crucial stage in the album’s development.

Meaning, The Power, The Will, or The Might, El Poder unites people across the world, inspiring them to dance and be grateful for what they have. Drummer, David “Papi” Fimbres, shares, “We want to show people what dance music is & that it is for everyone.”

El Poder is Orquestra Pacific Tropical at the height of their powers, satisfying the veteran listener as well as offering new sonic explorations and a wholly unique Latin music experience. The album features the previously released instrumental track, “Fantasma”, the traditional song that reaches out to our ancestors, “Entre La Montana”, and the album’s beating heart, the title track, “El Poder”.

The band has built a reputation for electrifyingly infectious live performances and will tour the West Coast in support of the LP, including Pickathon, the Waterfront Blues Festival, Homie Fest, and more. A full list of tour dates can be found below

see ORQUESTRA PACÍFICO TROPICAL live:

06/27 Seattle WA @ Clock-Out Lounge w/ Lucha Luna + Como Que (“EL PODER” SEATTLE ALBUM RELEASE)

07/03 Trout Lake WA @ Trout Lake Hall
07/04 Portland OR @ Waterfront Blues Festival
07/09 Chico CA @ Argus Bar and Patio w/ XDS
07/10 San Francisco CA @ Make Out Room
07/11 Los Angeles CA @ Tiki Trash Fest
07/12 Long Beach CA @ Alex’s Bar
07/15 Richmond CA @ Planetarium

07/30 Happy Valley OR @ Pickathon
08/15 Colton OR @ Homiefest

08/29 Portland OR @ The Den w/ Global Based (“EL PODER” PORTLAND ALBUM RELEASE)

Drummer, David “Papi” Fimbres, shares, “We want to show people what dance music is & that it is for everyone.”

Orquestra Pacífico Tropical is:
David “Papi” Fimbres: drums, vocals
Edward Bubl: keyboards, euphonium, trumpet
Shana Lindbeck: vocals, percussion
Paul Bubl: clarinet
Andy Manla: accordion, vocals
Ryan Wiggans: guitar, trumpet
Victor Nash: trumpet
Leb Borgerson: bass
Anton Ramirez: guitar, vocals, conga
Ana Rodriguez: percussion, vocals
Jason Elliot: trombone

Orquestra Pacífico Tropical was started in 2012 by Portland, Oregon music scene veterans, David “Papi” Fimbres (drums), and Carlos Segovia (guitar). Both fixtures in the Portland scene since 2000, the duo came together to create the Latinx dance night, Double Latinum Platinum, at Portland bar Tiga, before deciding to start their own band focused on performing classic Cumbias from Peru and Colombia.

Recruiting old friends from other Portland bands to create the first lineup, OPT quickly built a reputation for explosive and exciting sets of electrifying, psychedelic cumbia. Over the past decade they’ve performed at music festivals around the Pacific Northwest, including Treefort Music Fest, PDX Pop Now!, Freakout, Lose Yr Mind, Soul’d Out, Biamp Portland Jazz Festival and more, with live shows that have been described as a “jubilant rhythmic frenzy” and “mind-altering.”