Upcoming concert dates
Who is Mngwa? [ming-wah]
Canadian 7-piece band MNGWA drifts on the far northern shore of the blooming Latin Alternative music movement. Since 2013, these pioneers of prog cumbia have been crafting a sound all their own, mixing Latin American and African rhythms with psych rock, funk, reggae, hip hop and more. With mixed Mexican, Russian and Canadian backgrounds, every new composition is a synthesis of different musical approaches and traditions.
MNGWA's full-length debut The Strange One demonstrated their spectral sonic ambitions, complete with horns and ancient stringed instruments. On their latest Crackadoom EP, MNGWA's sound is more stripped down and faithful to their live performances. Tracked without a metronome, Crackadoom has a living, breathing quality, and MNGWA's signature blend of cumbia and psychedelic rock is more intertwined than ever. Now partnered with US record label Peace & Rhythm, MNGWA is poised to bring their strange new breed of global music to an international audience of sonic thrill seekers.
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Press Quotes
“Featuring a membership from all across the world, this Vancouver-based Latin cumbia, soul, psychedelic, funk groove unit keeps on mining its myriad influences to make groovy, trippy and fun tunes”
Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun
“Their true talent can only be experienced with a live music show in the outdoors”
Steve Marlow, !Earshot Magazine
“MNGWA might take its name from an imaginary creature, but its grooves are so real”
Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun
“The Strange One is a hugely promising debut”
Songlines Magazine (UK)
“Like a cultural rainbow, the music of MNGWA runs the spectrum of ethnic genres: latin, gypsy, balkan, dub, russian, carribean, mexican. You can add to that some contemporary indie folk, psych rock and a hint of a country twang. It’s a rich, intoxicating brew. An absolute delight. MNGWA calls it Vancumbia, and who knows it may be the sound of the future. I, for one, hope so.”
Mark Anthony Brennan, Ride the Tempo Music Blog
“The sound they’re creating is as eclectic as their backgrounds”
Ruby Woodruff, Beatroute Magazine
“Mngwa are stringing together a number of cultural touchstones”
Exclaim! Magazine
“Si vous les voyez en spectacle, vous ne pourrez pas rester assis sur votre chaise.”
ICI Radio-Canada
Contact Mngwa
For photos, music, and the stage plan, explore the press kit.