One of the most popular bands in San Diego, Todo Mundo is also perhaps one of the least known to the area’s mainstream music fans, performing as they do outside the world of pop and rock. The quintet performs music based around the vision of frontman Santiago Orozco. The native of Columbia has fused Latin words and rhythms with reggae, samba and other influences for a vibrant, infectious sound.
Comprised of Orozco (guitar/vocals), Governor Tiggy (vocals), Stephen Gentillalli (bass), Matt Bozzone (drums), Meir Shitrit (bouzouki) and Carlos Sanchez (trumpet), the band’s debut album, “Organic Fire” won the Best Album Award in the World Music Category at the 2011 San Diego Music Awards. Currently on its first nationwide tour, which takes the band around the western U.S. through Sept. 1, Todo Mundo will next perform locally as part of the eighth annual Indie Fest at NTC Liberty Station on Aug. 17. The performance will be at 8 p.m. on the Green Stage, part of a lineup that includes headliners like Cake, Talib Kwebi and Gilbert Castellanos. “Diversity is huge for us,” said event co-executive producer Alicia Champion. “That’s reflected in our headlining lineup every single year. We always try to bring in a handful of big names that span several different genres. That philosophy trickles down also to the meat of the bill, our local regional names, and Todo Mundo is a direct reflection of that. Here’s an exciting band that is making music that is not of the mainstream, but they are exactly the sort of group this event was created for.”
Todo Mundo is now an award-winning combo, but ironically, it almost didn’t happen. Orozco arrived in San Diego from Colombia in 2009. “I didn’t plan to stay here. When I came here, I planned to only stay for three months, but you know how life is,” Orozco said. “Things started to happen.” Calling from the road, somewhere in Utah, band members said they are excited to be taking the music from their upcoming album, “Coneccion,” on the road. Due out on Oct. 12, Orozco plans to keep the band on the road as much as possible for the next year. “We tried to time this tour to the end of our recording sessions,” he said. “But it was time for an adventure like this. Touring is still the best way to bring our music to new people, new audiences.” The album includes several guest performances, including background vocals from Sherri Anne Nyberg of the duo Sister Speak.
Drummer Bozzone agrees, adding that festivals like Indie Fest are a great way to introduce his band’s music to audiences. “People at outdoor events like [Indie Fest] are looking forward to having a good time,” he said. “So they tend to be open to more music.” While Bozzone said it is fun to play outdoors, there are potential drawbacks. “Weather can be a factor,” he said. “Our first show of this tour, in Colorado, got rained out,” he said. “We had to call it short because of the water, so outdoor things can be unpredictable. Not that rain is likely to be a problem at a summertime show in San Diego.” While some might consider a world music band to be an unlikely crossover hit with pop and rock audiences of San Diego, Orozco said he has found the opposite to be true. “People have been very open to our fusion of sounds,” Orozco said. “It really feels like they enjoy themselves when they hear us. It doesn’t matter what type of sounds people might otherwise be into. People love the soul of the music,” he said. • Todo Mundo performs Saturday, Aug. 17 at Indie Fest, NTC Liberty Station.
