Chikita Violenta

In 2000 the four future members of Mexican indie rock band Chikita Violenta first crossed paths while attending high school. Luis Arce, Andrés Velasco, Esteban Suarez, and Armando David handled production duties themselves for the group’s self-titled debut, issued in 2003, then brought in Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene, Super Furry Animals, Los Campesinos!) to oversee their second album, The Star and Suns Sessions. Following shows throughout their Mexico City base and a West Coast U.S. tour, the quartet resumed work with Newfeld on a third release, Tre3s, whose recording stretched across a year and a half. Arts & Crafts put the album out in early 2011, pairing its arrival with concerts alongside Built to Spill and Ra Ra Riot plus a scheduled appearance at South by Southwest.