giovanni escalera

Artist Profile

Genres

Short Films
Commercials
Feature Film
Documentaries

Personal Description

Sweet electra’s debut album “Lying To Be Sweet,” released in 2002 by Nopal Beat and EMI Records has earned international success with its blend of acid cabaret, deep house, and trip-hop beats with elements of jazz and bossa nova. The album is influenced by Mexican rhythms of the 1950’s, with lyrics in Portuguese, French, English, and Spanish.

Sweet electra has played sold-out shows throughout Mexico and abroad at various international music festivals. In 2006, they performed in New York at the legendary Joe's Pub for the “Celebrate Mexico Now'” festival. They’ve also played the “Romeries of May” festival in Cuba, '”Festival Vive Latino” in Mexico City, “Peak of Tajin” in Veracruz, and the “DJ Motorola Tour'” in Mexico and Europe.
The group’s second album, “CAMA” was released independently in 2006. They are now based in New York City, with Nardiz Cooke on lead vocals and Monica Rodriguez on the drums.
myspace.com/sweetelectra

Performances:

- Pianos, 2008, New York
- El Balazo Art Gallery, 2008, San Francisco, CA
- Safari Sam´s, 2008,Los Angeles, CA
- Plaza de la Liberación (466th Aniversary of the city), 2008 Guadalajara, Mexico
- University Cultural Festival ITESO, 2008, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Pianos, 2007, New York
- Fontana´s (Nacotheque party) 2007 New York
- Candestino, 2007, Boston
- Lincoln Center’s Alfonso Cuaron tribute party, 2006, New York
- SOB’s, 2006, New York
- Joe’s Pub, 2006, New York
- Galapagos Art Space, 2006 New York
- Cumbre Tajin with Café Tacuba 2004, Veracruz, Mexico
- Vive Latino Festival 2004, Mexico City
- Hard Rock Live SWEET ELECTRA VS TERRESTRE, 2005, Guadalajara, Mexico
- DJ MOTO Tour Motorola, 2004, Mexico
- Joe’s Pub, 2004, New York
- SPOT Magazine Release 2003, Madrid, Spain

Music Videos:

- “Ser” from CAMA by Arnold Abadie, 2007
- “Faraway” from CAMA by Vanessa Bárcenas, 2007
- “Firefly” from LYING TO BE SWEET by Dogma and Studio Monitor, 2003


Book References:

Sonidos Urbanos (Maria Fernanda Olvera), 2007, Mexico City
A new publication featuring the 150 coolest indie rock bands from Mexico http://www.exonline.com.mx/diario/columna/45138

Sonido y Danzas Urbanas (Antonio Garcia Medina) WHAT YEAR? Guadalajara, Jal. Mexico
A compilation of the most relevant artists from the state of Jalisco
http://www.cultura.jalisco.gob.mx/cultpopular/08musicayd.pdf

Escena (Lilián Bañuelos, Israel Martínez, Enrique Blanc, Priscila Tamariz) WHAT YEAR? Guadalajara, Jal. Mexico
A history of the electronic music scene in México


Discography:

LP Albums:
- Cama.Independent 2007
- Lying to be sweet. EMI music 2003
- Eros una vez María Soundtrack. Alliance México 2007

Remixed Albums:
- Firefly EP (remixes). EMI music.
- David Alvarado Firefly remix (Vinyl) Unique Distribution UK.

Compilations:
- Francezco Diaz “An exciting house mix for a lovely springwalk”. Cala D’ Hort , Sweden
- DJ Lani “ First class house Vol 2”. Gallo Rcds., South Africa
- Latin Lounge EMI Music, U.S.
- Acid Cabaret. EMI Capitol, Spain
- Ida y Vuelta. La Corporación Muzic. U.S.




Scoring and Song Composition for Film


Llamando a un Angel (2008) (music soundtrack) Feature Film

Eros una vez María (2007) (musical score) Feature Film

Clavel Blanco (2006) (musical composition) Short Film

Rímel (2006) (soundtrack) Short Film

Protestosterona (2003) (original music) Short Film

"Hijas de la Madre Tierra, Las" (2000) TV series (2004-2007) TV Show



Radio

SESIONES (Red Radio Universidad de Guadalajara 100.3 FM) 2002-2005

Sesiones was a radio show hosted and produced by Giovanni Escalera and Julian Name in Guadalajara, México. The two-hour show, presented by Radio Universidad de Guadalajara every Tuesday, presented different music genres with a dose of satire and analysis. The aim of the show was to introduce viewers to local international acts with controversial and unique musical styles.




Press Reviews


Sesiones Radio Show
“Under the direction of the electronic musical producer Giovanni Escalera (sweet electra) and the young music lover Julián Name, the sesiones show has converted in the last months on a controversy material by the freshness of its work.”
Lulu Sanchez, Mural, Mexico City


Eros Una Vez Maria Soundtrack
“Edna Herrera´s edition and Giovanni Escalera´s music are so far the most complete on the technician of this film. In words of the Film Director Alfonso Cuarón, a movie without any permission”
Carlos Reyes, Cine Azteca, Mexico City

Sweet electra
“Producer Giovanni Escalera’s signature sound of feminine voices singing in Spanish, Portuguese, French and English over electronic bass and beats makes for calmly intense music.”
Enrique Blanc, La Banda Elastica, L.A.

“I can imagine Giovanni Escalera as he pays close attention to the smallest of details even as he plays keyboards, guitar, and programming. Guest vocals by Ceci Bastida (Ex-Tijuana NO!), and Japanese singer Sakiko Yocko round up the album nicely and I think CAMA is a stylish electro-rock album for exuberant souls!”
Oscar León Bernal, Music editor NYRemezcla.com, N.Y.


“From trip-hop to acid cabaret, everything fits in the musical spectrum of this group, which even dares to incorporate the sound of the violin into electronic music, giving it a unique texture and depth.”
Victor Ronquillo, Mezzanine, Grupo Reforma, Mexico City

Special Skills

Composer, Arranger, and Producer for films commercials, shortfilms, TV shows and Artists.