By Rea Needler from MIAR’s
Appalachian music tradition and sound evolved from a massive blend brought by migrants from Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and West Africa. Types of songs ranging from ballads, fiddle and banjo tunes, and inspiration of religious hymns became the musical heartbeat of the Appalachian Mountains, preserving local legends, family history, and town traditions throughout generations.
Over the last decade or so, the blend of Latin American and Appalachian music, also known as “Latingrass” or “Mexilachian”, has begun. While it is a semi-official genre, Latingrass describes an addition to the Appalachian folk genre. Like the story of the beginning of Appalachian music, Mexican and Latin American music evolved from a mixture of Indigenous, Latin, African, and regional characteristics and influences. Latin style genres such as ranchera, mariachi, and son jarocho all similarly relate to the Appalachian ballad style songs by telling stories about everyday life, love, hardship, family, and identity.
Influence in Instrumentation
Many instruments of Appalachian music reflect centuries of cultural and artistic exchange. The guitar, originally introduced from Spain, became central to a multitude of musical practices in the United States, while becoming particularly important to Appalachian folk music and the evolution of Country music in general with one-man bands and becoming a part of the regular bluegrass ensemble. String instruments such as mandolins, banjos, and fiddles; which are also just violins, demonstrate how different cultures blend and adapted the instruments for specific sounds that we know today.
Although the banjo is closely associated with Appalachia today, it was first rooted in West African instruments that was refabricated from memory by enslaved Africans in the United States during the 1800’s. After it was introduced into Appalachia, it became a staple in many of the Appalachian music traditions here.
Rhythm, Community, and Celebration
Both Latin and Appalachian musical traditions place a strong emphasis on community. Music is played in the home and can be taught and passed down by generations and are often played at family gatherings, fairs and festivals, religious practices, and even at schools. Whether is a jam on a front porch, or a jaracho fandago in Veracruz; the music is often taught to anyone willing to join, learn, and participate.
Today’s Genre Fusion
Modern Latin Appalachian artists have begun to blend the styles of Appalachian and Latin American music. Bluegrass has begun to show styles and instrumentation with mariachi influence, folk artists have begun to not only just use African rhythms, but also Latin rhythms. Songs have even become bilingual with Spanish and English language, while still having a bit of southern twang to it.
This combination is especially impactful in regions where there is a high population of Latino identifying peoples in Appalachia. This new generation of Appalachian music has shown that no style of music is ever fixed, or stays the same, but is ever changing. Rather then just simply replacing the Appalachian sound, artists have chosen to expand them and are accepting both the identity of an Appalachian and their Hispanic heritage.
The Importance of Identity in Music
The connection between Mexican, Latin American, and Appalachian music reminds us that culture can be built through exchange. Despite the differences in geography, the culture of Appalachia and the culture of Latin American share common traditions and values; storytelling, family, resilience, and community.
Do Your Own Research
If this style of music interests you, a few artist or groups that you can research are Larry and Joe who combine the Appalachian folk and bluegrass with Venezuelan folk traditions. Their specific style of Latingrass music features instrumentations like the banjo, harp, fiddle and a cuatro and includes bilingual storytelling.
Another group worth checking out is Lua Project, who are based out of North Carolina. Their specific style blends Appalachian folk with traditional music styles from Mexico and Brazil.
Although this genre is rather niche and new, it offers a new perspective on the groups that are beginning to make up a new chapter in Appalachian music history, one that encourages and welcomes cultural and lingual exchanges and it offers the idea that tradition can change. Whether you are a fan of Appalachian music or not, it offers a new and exciting genre to discover.
Works Cited
Soto, Amanda C. “Son Jarocho from Veracruz: Exploration of Music and Dance Forms.” Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Smithsonian Institution, https://folkways.si.edu/son-jarocho-veracruz-exploration-dance-forms/music/tools-for-teaching/smithsonian.
I., Bethany. “The Music of Our Hispanic Hollers: 3 Great Appalachian-Latin Fusion Bands.” Kentucky Hispanic Heritage Heritage Project (KHHP) Blog, 12 Dec. 2022, https://khhp.createuky.net/culture/the-music-of-our-hispanic-hollers/.