Bomba Estereo: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Sept. 22, 2017 | Felix Contreras -- If the Tiny Desk offers one lesson, it's that greatness doesn't diminish with less volume. The lesson doubly applies here.

During their performance, Bomba Estereo's Simon Mejia (bass and keyboards) observed that it was the quietist the band has ever played; they rose to the occasion with an intense performance that reflects their earliest days working smaller venues in Colombia.

Band leaders Mejia and Li Saumet (lead vocals) have been consistent in their devotion and homage to Afro-Colombian music throughout their five albums, and steadfast in their fantastic mash-up of electronic music, creating a sonic signature that has become popular around the globe.

But you won't hear that on this video.

What you'll hear is the power of their songwriting and arranging with this stripped-down presentation— which helps remind us of why we fell for this band in the first place.

Set List

- "Soy Yo"
- "Somos Dos"

MUSICIANS

Liliana Saumet (vocals), Simon Mejia (bass/keys), Andres Zea (drums), Efrain Cuadrado (percussion), Jose Castillo (guitar)

CREDITS

Producers: Bob Boilen, Bronson Arcuri; Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Bronson Arcuri, Beck Harlan, Nick Michael; Production Assistant: Kara Frame; Photo: Emily Bogle/NPR.

[Solastar]

Spanish is such a beautiful language, I don’t understand the words but the music makes me want to get up and dance . I love the rhythm of this band .

[sansnak]

Que viva Colombia y que viva LATINOAMÉRICA. 🇨🇴🇲🇽🇬🇹 🇭🇳 🇳🇮 🇨🇺 🇭🇹 🇵🇷 🇩🇴 🇨🇷 🇸🇻 🇵🇦 🇻🇪 🇪🇨 🇵🇪 🇧🇴 🇨🇱 🇦🇷 🇺🇾 🇵🇾 🇧🇷 ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[hugogarza]

Este tipo de agrupaciones son un buen alivio a la alegria. Desde México digo gracias pr haber hecho su esfuerzo y ojala que la gente en general aprendiera a apreciar, las letras y la variedad de instrumentos que hacen original a cada grupo, banda,etc.

[JuaniqueVerde]

SOY YO!!! Thank you NPR for bringing international music/Spanish speaking music to us! This was my first time hearing this band - I love their music and have officially become a fan! ❤️

[chaseadams]

Thank you Bob, for always challenging the youtube community's idea of what Tiny Desk is "supposed" to be.

[YsHiikus]

This is a side of Bomba Estereo I had not heard. If you haven't heard of these guys before check them out ASAP! They're acoustics are as amazing as their loud dance music! Arriba Colombia! Una AfroMexicana en California ❤

[rafaelgaldo]

Bomba Estereo é a mistura de toda latinidade. É raiz e é vanguarda ao mesmo tempo. Uma das minhas bandas favoritas!!!

[ulibarri]

No puedo escuchar esto sin llorar. mi hija de 5 años me preguntó "¿por qué esta canción te hace llorar? ¡Me hace feliz!" Much love to Bomba Estereo from the snowy mountains of New Mexico, USA. Me & my little Mia.

[caitlinjohnston-sloan]

I am so incredibly honored to be in the presence of this band

[JarlathBloom]

Saw Bomba in Bogota, and they brought THE HOUSE down. This is such a different, and wonderful performance. I look forward to every release this band does.

[theesweetscience]

Maybe the most unique, amazing thing I've seen. Straight fire too. Already loved this band. Now this. Just wow.

[edensthday]

I am SO HAPPY to discover Bomba Estereo today! LOVE, love, love! Thank you BB/Tiny Desk Concerts.

[xxFlorRockeraxx]

Yo los amo. Me encantan. He tenido la oportunidad de verlos en Chile. Hermosa música.

[natymartin]

Me caí, me paré, caminé, me subí
Me fui contra la corriente y también me perdí
Fracasé, me encontré, lo viví y aprendí
Cuando te pegas fuerte más profundo es el beat
Sigo bailando y escribiendo mis letras
Sigo cantando con las puertas abiertas
Atravesando todas estas tierras
Y no hay que viajar tanto pa' encontrar la respuesta
Y no te preocupes si no te aprueban
Cuando te critiquen, tú solo di
Soy yo
Soy yo
Soy yo (soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy)
Soy yo (yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo)
Sigo caminando y sigo riendo
Hago lo que quiero y muero en el intento
A nadie le importa lo que estoy haciendo
Lo único que importa es lo que está por dentro
A mí me gusta estar en la arena
Bañarme en el mar sin razón, sin problema
Estar sentada sin hacer nada
Mirando de lejos y estar relajada
Y no te preocupes si no te aprueban
Cuando te critiquen, tú solo di
Soy yo
Soy yo
Soy yo (soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy)
Soy yo (yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo)
Soy así, soy así, soy así (Relaja)
Y tú ni me conoces a mí (Bien relaja)
Soy así, soy así, soy así (Relaja)
Y tú ni me conoces a mí (Bien relaja)
You know what I mean? You know what I mean?
Sí, papá
Y no te preocupes si no te aprueban
Cuando te critiquen, tú solo di
Soy yo
Soy yo
Soy yo (soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy)
Soy yo (yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo)
En la cama
Relajá
Con mi encanto
Con pijama, soy yo
Así soy yo

[gustavocamargoing]

Bomba Stereo. Just beautiful watching them perform this way here in NPR. Exciting Caribbean funky from COLOMBIA

[Em-mphf]

I just love her! She is so cool! Her pineapple and shades! LOVE that guitar!

[christianenriquez]

Please invite them back to do “To My Love” and “Ojitos Lindos”!!!

[haroldtorres]

These mellow live versions, que emocion!! Love the sound, muy placido y llena de amor . Thx NPR!

[mcvillaseca]

Loved this!!!! Me encanta la musica con ritmo Latino. No me importa de donde son. La musica es super rica! Dale!

[melopsicodelia]

saludos desde Costa Rica, la verdad que este grupo siempre me ha gustado montones. Y grita FUEGO...