Biography
Mariachi Flor de Toloache, also known as Flor de Toloache, originated in New York City in 2008 as an all-female ensemble that has since collected multiple awards. Singers Mireya I. Ramos and Shae Fiol have guided the ensemble from its start. The lineup began as a trio equipped with harp, violin, and vihuela, later expanding through a quartet phase and a septet phase before reaching its current ten-piece orchestral scale; the musicians still appear in whatever size best fits each setting. Spanish and English both appear in their repertoire. The players themselves trace their roots to Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy, and the United States. Their sound updates classic Mexican forms with contemporary flexibility while remaining rooted in ranchera, yet it also folds in cumbia, Latin jazz, and mariachi rock, evidenced by their live version of Nirvana’s “Come as You Are.”
The ensemble first built its reputation through New York club dates, where their distinctive handling of Mexican repertoire opened doors across many different rooms. A self-released, self-titled debut arrived in January 2015 and prompted extensive touring. Already familiar to fellow artists, they landed support slots on the Arcs’ routes led by Dan Auerbach. After filling houses in India, the U.K., Germany, Holland, Italy, and France, they continued drawing crowds at First Avenue in Minneapolis, The Vic in Chicago, Terminal 5 in New York, D.C.’s 9:30 Club, and Nashville’s Ryman Theater, home of the Grand Ole Opry. The debut earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Ranchera Album of 2015. Following an acclaimed NPR Tiny Desk Concert and another project with the Arcs, the group performed on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and on BBC 2’s Later with Jools Holland.
In 2016 the ensemble joined Chulo Records, a Daptone-distributed label operated by Jacob Plasse of Los Hacheros, whose role had already helped spark the Arcs partnership. While preparing their second album they contributed to sessions for Chicano Batman, Snarky Puppy guitarist Chris McQueen, and Luba Mason. They also completed three videos for Fania and appeared in a Kate Spade commercial. Released in May 2017, Las Caras Lindas mixed mariachi standards, a Juan Gabriel tribute medley, and six original compositions. The set reached number 31 on the Top Latin Albums chart and captured that year’s Latin Grammy for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album.
The ensemble first built its reputation through New York club dates, where their distinctive handling of Mexican repertoire opened doors across many different rooms. A self-released, self-titled debut arrived in January 2015 and prompted extensive touring. Already familiar to fellow artists, they landed support slots on the Arcs’ routes led by Dan Auerbach. After filling houses in India, the U.K., Germany, Holland, Italy, and France, they continued drawing crowds at First Avenue in Minneapolis, The Vic in Chicago, Terminal 5 in New York, D.C.’s 9:30 Club, and Nashville’s Ryman Theater, home of the Grand Ole Opry. The debut earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Ranchera Album of 2015. Following an acclaimed NPR Tiny Desk Concert and another project with the Arcs, the group performed on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and on BBC 2’s Later with Jools Holland.
In 2016 the ensemble joined Chulo Records, a Daptone-distributed label operated by Jacob Plasse of Los Hacheros, whose role had already helped spark the Arcs partnership. While preparing their second album they contributed to sessions for Chicano Batman, Snarky Puppy guitarist Chris McQueen, and Luba Mason. They also completed three videos for Fania and appeared in a Kate Spade commercial. Released in May 2017, Las Caras Lindas mixed mariachi standards, a Juan Gabriel tribute medley, and six original compositions. The set reached number 31 on the Top Latin Albums chart and captured that year’s Latin Grammy for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album.
Singles
