Unique all-female mariachi band coming to Phoenix
Jun 26, 2017, 5:30 AM
A unique all-female mariachi band is coming to the Valley this week.
The group started out as a trio in 2008, playing three instruments: the harp, violin, and vihuela. Today, Mariachi Flor de Toloache performs as a full mariachi ensemble. They’re made up of 10 women, with four leading the group.
“We’re all from different countries and different musical backgrounds,” said Mireya Ramos, founder of the group.
Mariachi Flor de Toloache will perform on Wednesday at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Ramos said what makes them unique is that they don’t just play mariachi music. They write their own songs and weave a blend of genres into their music, including jazz, hip-hop, rock, folk, cumbia, salsa and bachata.
Shea Fiol, who has been a member of the band since it was formed, describes their music as “New York style mariachi.”
“I say that because we’re similar to what New York represents, which is this great mosaic of all these cultures that have influenced each other,” she said. “We all come from different musical backgrounds and we bring that into the sound.”
Their music is as diverse as the countries they represent. Ramos was raised in Puerto Rico and is of Mexican and Dominican decent. Fiol was raised in Oregon and is Cuban American. Other members are Colombian, Korean and Australian.
Mariachi Flor de Toloache ‘s first self-titled album earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Ranchera Album of 2015. They submitted their second album for a Grammy nomination this year.
Ramos said she encourages people to come see them perform on Wednesday, saying their music “is definitely something to see live.”
