Las Cafeteras: Music as Movement, Medicine, and Mission

Las Cafeteras aren’t just a band — they’re a cultural force. Born from activism, community organizing, and a deep connection to their roots, the East LA-based group brings together Afro-Mexican rhythms, Son Jarocho folk, hip-hop, and punk energy into one electrifying and unmistakably unique sound. Check out the interview below.

In our interview, members Denise Carlos and Hector Flores shared the story of how Las Cafeteras first came together as friends, activists, and students hosting community classes and events. What started as a Son Jarocho class at Eastside Café evolved into a band that would eventually perform across the U.S. and around the world, using music as a tool for storytelling, liberation, and movement building.

Their songs are more than just catchy — they’re packed with personal truths, political urgency, and cultural pride. From their upbringing as children of immigrants during California’s anti-immigrant wave to their efforts supporting labor rights, MMIW awareness, and community organizing, Las Cafeteras live their activism on and off the stage. As Hector said, “If you’re going to write music, write about what you know,” and they do just that — with honesty, rage, joy, and deep love.

But it’s not all protest — it’s also healing. Denise opened up about how folklórico dance saved her from self-harm and how body movement has become an act of freedom and decolonization. Their performances are intentional spaces of joy and release, where audiences witness liberation through music and movement.

Their latest project, Hasta La Muerte, is a theatrical production that expands on Día de los Muertos and grief through a Chicana feminist lens, mixing dance, music, and narrative to honor ancestors and community loss. And yes, it’s coming to Seattle in November.

For Indigenous and mixed-race youth trying to find their artistic voice, their advice is simple but powerful: be honest, find your own magic, and create for freedom, not fame. Tell your story — because it’s yours to tell.

🎶 Discover more about Las Cafeteras at www.lascafeteras.com