1	Top Colleges for Latinos Institutions of higher learning, scholarship and community colleges open up the world for Hispanic youths. read more...
2	A Passion for Song Soprano Ana María Martínez stakes her place on the expanding list of Hispanics in opera. read more...
3	Defined by Character Veteran actor Tony Plana talks about life on the stage and screen beyond Ugly Betty. read more...
4	That’s Entertainment From Hollywood’s hottest rising stars to the growing world of Latino film festivals, here’s a look at the spicy side of entertainment. read more...
5	Celia on Stage Performing a nightly off-Broadway tribute to the late, great Celia Cruz and her husband Pedro Knight is an emotional journey for two young actors. read more...
6	Tango with a Twist The beloved musical style is propelled into the future as Tanghetto challenges the traditional rules. read more...

Tanghetto For Export

The Argentine band dares to experiment with the tango’s
classic melodies and creates a new sound.

The Growth of tango worldwide is at its peak. Thousands of tourists and fans of the genre flock to Argentina to bask in

its roots and dance to the rhythm of its beat. But, as the modern world keeps evolving, so does the music.
In the conservative, traditional world of tango, the first step has to be firm, or it would be the last. But the

electrotango group Tanghetto has dared to break the rules.
Tanghetto’s phonic style is a blend of tango and electronic music. Formed in 2001 by producer and songwriter Max Masri

and arranger and instrumentalist Diego S. Velázquez, the band’s instrumental lineup includes bandoneon, violoncello,

acoustic piano, acoustic guitar, electronic and acoustic drums, samplers and synthesizers.
The drama of tango and the modernity of machines provide the perfect fusion. Today, Tanghetto is a true reflection of

the acceptance and evolution of an art form.
From the release of the group’s first album, titled Emigrante, Tanghetto has attracted both the public’s attention and

the respect of the band’s musical colleagues. While Masri is the band’s front man, the current roster also includes

members Federico Vazquez on bandoneon, Antonio Boyadjian on piano, Chao Xu on cello and the erhu, a Chinese stringed

instrument, and Daniel Corrado on drums. Masri, however, was the mind behind the musical concept and contended with

breaking with long-held Argentine tradition.
Hispanic caught up with him to discuss his musical mission.

HISPANIC MAGAZINE: How do you as a band define yourselves?
MAX MASRI: [We define ourselves as] a band from Buenos Aires with a contemporary and urban sound. Some might call us an

electrotango group, or a nuevo tango group, but we prefer to keep our colloquial identity and creative freedom.
HM: How did you start off and how did you come to form this band?
MM: I tried to merge tango with different styles of music, mainly electronic music. But at the same time, I didn’t feel

completely confident experimenting with something so sacred to all Argentines, as tango was no longer just a type of

music, it had become an emblem. But the sound of the bandoneon [a small Argentine instrument resembling an accordion]

overpowered all prejudices, and I continued experimenting. That’s how we started working with Diego [Velazquez], and by

2000 we already had a few ideas that defined the sound that now defines Tanghetto.

HM: Why the name Tanghetto?
MM: Our name is inspired by communities of Argentines living abroad who come together to share memories of their country

and their music, their feelings of displacement, gathering to rediscover their identity even thousands of miles from

their homeland. That’s where the name comes from—as if it were a ghetto tango.

HM: You established yourselves as a group in 2001 during Argentina’s worst economic crisis in modern times. What was it

like to row against the tide?
MM: On one hand it was difficult, because nobody thought to create; instead there was the pervasive feeling of

destruction. On the other, it was very inspiring because during the most critical of times, art rises up like a

response, like an option. And that gave us the strength to do what we felt and find a personal sound, while reminding us

of our thirst to express something different.

HM: What differentiates Tanghetto from the other electronic tango bands?
MM: For me there are many [differences]: in recognition, in musicality, in our defiance in trying to change the destiny

of Buenos Aires’ music. We’re not doing this just because it’s in fashion or a trend, rather it’s an attempt to express

a different message. Opening the path from Buenos Aires, considering the situation in Argentina in 2003, was not easy,

but today we have a platinum and two gold albums thanks to that.

HM: Outside influences are crucial to the creative process. Who do you have as a reference point?
MM: Our principal reference is [Astor] Piazzolla for his music and for his way of dealing with tango: providing diverse

and fresh sounds, trying to do something different and new.

HM: Why did you incorporate songs by New Order and Depeche Mode?
MM: It seemed like an interesting challenge, and we are fans of many styles of music. Instead of making libertango,

which many other groups have already done, we prefer to tango-ize classic synth-pop, and give them our own Tanghetto-

ized sound.

HM: Having received two Latin Grammy Awards nominations, has the band’s exposure changed?
MM: We enjoyed an exposure that we had never imagined. We’ve been shown on NBC, E! Entertainment, FOX and the WB. In Los

Angeles, we were recognized on the street and treated with much respect. ... But it was more of a recognition of our

hard and independent work, with artistic freedom—to realize that we’re on a good path and we are going to enjoy it.

HM: What’s ahead for you?
MM: We hope to edit a new album in December. I am really looking forward to doing a tour across all of Argentina in

2008. We spent 2007 traveling and playing in many countries and many cities. To name a few, we traveled London, Berlin,

Rome, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and performed a tour throughout Mexico, with 19 shows in all.