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What you need to know about me:
Dateline: East L.A, 1994. Two punk-rockers, identical twin brothers from City Terrace, unplug their electric guitars and shock family and friends by picking up traditional instruments from Mexico and playing beautiful folk music – with a twist. With that decision to meld their punk-rock attitude and their cultural roots, the twins (Randy and Scott Rodarte) had just created Ollin (o-LEEN). The band’s name pays tribute to the indigenous people of Mexico, (in Nahuatl, ollin means “movement”) and also represents their proud participation in the Chicano movement here in Los Angeles. Ollin began with the inspiration of traditional Mexican music. From there, the brothers expanded their musical curiosity and brought other types of folk music into the mix. Irish melodies, Klezmer riffs, German beer polkas, and African syncopations all were introduced and have become a part of the eclectic Ollin sound. Live performances are theatrical, energetic, and with the mixture of many different styles, still well balanced. Their recordings are solid three dimensional stories with lyrical prose that puts you knee deep in their musical barrio. Through countless tours and shows, Ollin has built a solid reputation as a tuneful, hard-rocking, standout band. The group’s never-ending process of strengthening, improving, and playing around with their art has caught the attention of some heavy hitters in the music industry. In January 2008 at the annual trade show NAMM in Anaheim, CA - Ollin honored rock and roll pioneer Ritchie Valens with a rousing set of the icons’ music for Harmony Guitars. The performance was an unplanned and spontaneous showcase that convinced Harmony owner, Charlie Subecz, to endorse the band right on the spot. These kinds of things happen when folks see Ollin for the first time, read on. By the way, when the band got home after the sweaty rocking performance, a message from Spider Stacy of The Pogues was in their inbox. The PoguesThe Roseland Ballroom wanted no other band but Ollin to share the stage for the biggest show of the year; St.Patricks Day at in New York City. The band accepted the invitation, pues claro. In 2007 Ollin received a call from legendary producer and musician Ry Cooder (Academy Award nominated “Buena Vista Social Club”, The Rolling Stones, Captain Beefheart, Van Morrison..) to collaborate on a tribute to honor the “worlds first, and still active car club, THE DUKES. Ollin and Cooder cooked up a set of old school rhythm and blues – see the Ollin press pack for the shows’ review in The LA TIMES- a testament to the band versatility and professional chops. The impromptu band was fronted by none other than East LA legend Willie G of Thee Midniters. Ollin has shared bills with Los Lobos, Lucinda Williams, Ozomatli, Black Eyed Peas, John Densmore of The Doors, Quetzal, Culture Clash, War, and most recently with Irish legendaries The Pogues. On their (2006) tour, The Pogues saw Ollin in San Francisco’s Fillmore Ballroom. Within hours Tin whistler, Spider Stacy was on the phone with his booking agent demanding that Ollin open for them at their last stop: L.A.’s historic Wiltern Theatre. Ollin agreed without hesitation and for the last song of their tour, The Pogues called Ollin on stage to perform “Fiesta” with them. The nine piece band released their latest EP San Patricios, on St. Patrick’s Day 2007. It pays tribute to a brigade of courageous Irish soldiers who followed their conscience and deserted the American army to fight alongside the Mexicans during the Mexican-American war (1846-1848). In this highly charged EP Ollin makes use of all its members – and as many instruments as those members can get their hands on. At present the musicians in the band play accordion, jarana, electric and acoustic guitars, tin whistle, mandolin, banjo, congas, drums, vibraphone, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, and violin. All of these sound colors are the palate that Ollín proudly uses to paint the mural that is their lives

Music that’s in my head (and playlists):
Music that inspires the heart and mind

The stuff I’m obsessed with:
Music that inspires the heart and mind

What I can’t live without:
Music that inspires the heart and mind

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