About the Music
On October 23, 2009, Inland Artist, Mobetta Loretta released her debut album entitled, "Salt of the Earth" on the independent music label, Indepth Music located in Riverside, CA. The album features eleven songs rich with diverse blues, folk and rock influences. There are plenty of hooks and infectious choruses which support a strong radio air-play presence.
“Salt of the Earth” is a concept album, based upon the characters from a 1954 film with the same title, which starred Mobetta Loretta’s great uncle, Juan Chacon. It was the only movie that was blacklisted by the U.S. government and attacked for being subversive during the McCarthy travesty.
Mobetta Loretta's uncle starred as himself in the movie and featured many other non-professional actors. Chacon was the leader of the union, who fought for equality for the Mexican-American miners in a small town called Santa Rita, New Mexico. Mobetta Loretta's aunt, Virginia Chacon, was portrayed by a professional actress named, Rosaura Revueltas. Virginia Chacon was a pre-feminist thinker and leader in her own right. Not only does Mobetta Loretta show that her uncle was a strong leader in obtaining civil rights in the workplace but, her aunt was also a strong example of overcoming adversity in the areas of class and gender.
When the miners received a court injunction to prevent them from striking, their wives took their places on the picket line. The women marched for 15 long months, endured being harrassed by the police and were even thrown into jail. But these, strong men and women never gave up until they obtained equality.
The songs on Mobetta Loretta's album, pay tribute to these men and women, whose stories are brought to life through these songs. Mobetta Loretta wrote these songs using what she felt was how the character's voices would tell their stories.
Much like folklore used to be told to others to preserve their legacies, now the story of bravery and triumph in the human and civil rights front is captured once again. LIsten to their stories. Learn about the lives of these miners and their families through these songs on the album, "Salt fo the Earth," by Mobetta Loretta.
About the Band
The Mobetta Loretta band includes a five piece band: Mobetta Loretta (vocals, guitar); Raul Salazar (drums); Kenn “kLutz” Lutz (bass guitar); Professor Steve (harmonica); and Guy James (lead guitar). The band debuted their first, official live performance together as a band on January 30, 2009.
The Mobetta Loretta Band sounds like it originated straight from the Delta blues mixed with classical rock influences such as Tom Petty, the Grateful Dead and George Harrison -- forming a southern-style, rock band, rich with Americana blends.
When you listen to Mobetta Loretta’s new album, “Salt of the Earth” you will be reminded of writing styles from theme albums such as “Nebraska” from Bruce Springsteen, hear influences from Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s Grammy-Award winning album, “Raising Sand,” produced by T-Bone Burnett and notice the influences from Dylan’s new band sound from “Modern Times.”
"There was an immediate chemistry between our musical styles," says Mobetta Loretta. "We fused influences from rock together with folk and blues to create our own unique sound. (The music) still has the Mo' Betta blues flavor."
Now on Release
The album, "Salt fo the Earth" is now on digital release at CD Baby.com, Apple iTunes and Rhapsody.com, among several other digital online retailers. The CD is also available for purchase on Amazon.com. The album features original artwork and photos taken on location in New Mexico. Lyrical content and a special word from Mobetta Loretta about the album is also included.
Special Contributions
Special contributions include: Sal & Isela, husband and wife duo from Corona, California (background vocals); David Robinson (slide, flamenco guitar); Geno Shuh (keyboards) from the former band the Boxkutters; Mia Mercado, professional actress and singer (background vocals) also known as Blue Bird.
Kevin McKee from Indepth Music, located in Riverside, California (sound engineer, mixer and producer); Kevin Bartley from Capitol Mastering in Hollywood, California (mastering); Mike Ingram (photography) Marilyn Ingram (location assistant); and Crystal McKee (album design). Juan Chacon Jr. (son of Juan Chacon) and Virginia Chacon who told their inspiring stories to help shape and create this album.
Loretta Chacon - Voice, Guitar, Piano
Best Folk Album and Folk Rock Artist of the Year
Winner for Best Folk Album at the Inland Empire Music Awards in 2010 and Winner at the Los Angeles Music Awards in November 2006, Mobetta Loretta received Folk Rock Artist of the Year for the song "Wish U Were Here."
Background
This singer/songwriter hailing from New Mexico is an authentic folk/blues/country/roots artist who takes you back to a time when music had feeling and depth. Armed with her guitar and a voice that evokes the sweet soulfulness of Emmylou Harris, Jewel and Fiona Apple, Loretta Chacon, A.K.A. Mobetta Loretta stirs and prods her listeners with lyrics kissed by life’s chapped lips. This is not background noise. This is a sound that tickles your ears, beguiling you like a mythical Siren to come a little closer until you look down and realize that you have been tied to the mast of fandom by her lyrics.
Whether she is singing about the purity of childhood innocence (making mud pies and swinging on the swing set while yucca stalks, like soldiers, stand guard) or the realities of war (“ain’t good for nothing ‘cept for filling up a grave”), Mobetta Loretta seems familiar, telling us where we all have been, and like a sage, telling us where we should be headed; but, in a manner refreshingly not overwhelmed by self-importance. You should listen.
Audience Appeal
Mobetta Loretta’s audience appeal has played to the tune of a wide array of audiences including, young and old, looking for honesty and sincerity in music. Her broad influences ranging from folk to country and jazz have shown a multi-faceted gem, with unique brilliance.
Self-Produced EP, Mobetta Loretta Released
Chacon focused tirelessly on self-producing her debut EP, entitled, Mobetta Loretta, which was released on November 12, 2006. This raw and unadulterated recording features five tracks which were produced in her home studio in Redlands, California. The tracks were centered upon a modern folk base, with roots rock and blues influences. Although created from a simplistic production platform, these tracks are injected with soul and get to the heart of the matter.
About the Songs
Chacon took some creative risks, when recording some rockabilly/punk influenced guitar in her song, “Heartbreaker.” In addition, the song “Home of the Free” offers an infectious, blues shuffle and features samples of her 20 month old son’s voice amidst the muffled 12 bar blues.
Delivery and Distribution Methods
Mobetta Loretta has consistently delivered a smooth and melodic voice with an unassuming and straight forward delivery. She can deliver the goods, even in small coffee houses, local bars and community events. Her desire is to broaden her local fan base, while continuing with her intimate performance style.
Distribution methods for delivery of her music have been widely based on internet usage. Being a new artist, Chacon realizes that exposure for her music is of the utmost importance right now. With the increasing public demand for downloaded music, Mobetta Loretta's debut EP is now available on iTunes!!! Also, Mobetta Loretta’s self-titled, debut EP is available for purchase on CDBaby.com. If your local record store does not carry it, you can ask them to order it.
In addition, Mobetta Loretta has also won many fans through her myspace music page, which has helped increase exposure to her music. Currently playing regular gigs to help broaden her local fan base, Mobetta Loretta’s earthy appeal has crossed many audiences. Mobetta Loretta has captured the hearts of the baby boom generation, generation X-ers and even the Y-generation! With all ages allowed at coffee house shows, she is quickly gaining the approval of a younger audience looking for raw and emotionally-charged music.
Little Sister
Growing up in New Mexico, Chacon experienced a childhood rich with culture and roots style music. She has drawn upon those experiences in her songs. The first track off her EP, “Little Sister,” pays homage to her younger sibling, while denoting evocative childhood memories of “Yucca stalks, like soldiers standing guard, a juniper tree blowing a fragrance in my nose...We would make mud pies and swing on our swing set in the Silver City sunset, orange and gold.”
Freedom of the Heart and More
Freedom has been a recurrent theme in her music. “Freedom of the Heart” and “Home of the Free” are both songs that not only include the theme in their titles, but touch upon both the individual spirit and the abounding greater spirit of freedom, which our country was founded upon. “Freedom of the Heart” brings alive vivid imagery as a train collision comes to mind, “burning down, burning down...I’m bolting heart in hand, I’m a freight train you cannot slow...I won’t wait for you to switch tracks.” In the song, “Home of the Free” she co-wrote with her ex-husband, Troy Silva, she proclaims, “This ain't the home of the free. This ain't the land of the brave, Poor kids sent off to war. Rich Kids get daddy to pay."
The unadulterated, straight forward approach to her music has produced a fresh and real sound to an audience hungry for a genuine soul, pouring her heart out over her guitar. Mobetta Loretta's EP delivers good listening via solid song writing and introspective, political and philosophical lyrics. Keep posted for more on upcoming releases.