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| Dani Umpi |
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Dani Umpi is a more than peculiar Uruguayan artist who every once in a while pays a visit to Argentina. In Uruguay, he’s a recently-discovered cult figure whose popularity is on the rise thanks to his eccentric versions of well-known songs (in his world, cumbia music becomes classy bossa nova, Cher acquires a jazz touch, chacareras take on Pet Shop Boys lyrics, etc.) and his bizarre live performances. He’s an effeminate, skinny guy who enjoys recognition from both Uruguayan rock and rollers and punk rockers, thus disproving many myths. He has also been acclaimed when performing with bands far from being ‘gay’ or electronic bands, such as La Tabaré and Árbol.
A writer, artist, singer, and God knows what else, Dani Umpi has succeeded in becoming a label of his own. The aesthetics he has chosen have nothing to do with fashion or convention, as he combines high and low, violent and sentimental, masculine and feminine, bad taste and sophistication. ‘I’m a kid in his graduation party’ was one of his first public statements. His shows feature an unusual combination of different types of audiences, as he is followed by all kinds of people from punk rockers to housewives. His performances typically reach unprecedented, bizarre climaxes, such as when his fans offer him gifts. Instead of the typical teddy bears, he gets tuna cans, rice boxes, and cleaning products. One could imagine that such donations are meant for charity, but they are actually profited from by the artist himself in his everyday life.
Produced by Daniel Anselmi, ‘Perfecto’, Dani Umpi’s long awaited and self-composed record, features refreshing pop music, plus a great attitude, plus self-confidence. Anselmi is a member of the band Psimio and the producer of La Teja Pride (winner of the Graffiti 2004 award for best electronic music record) and Astroboy, among others.
For his debut record (there are hundreds of pirated Dani Umpi records out there, as well as some home-made recordings prepared by Umpi himself and friends) he teamed up with an army of Uruguayan, Argentine, and Brazilian artists, ranging from Bajo Fondo member Luciano Supervielle to Uruguayan underground artists like El Pelado and Brazilian rapper Missy L. This album features eccentric contributions by Carlos Perciavalle, soprano Patricia Curzio, Samantha Navarro, legendary Renzo Teflón (who used to sing for Los Tontos, a band that doesn’t exist anymore but used to be quite popular in Uruguay in the 80s), Alejandro Sergi (Miranda!’s singer), Leandro Viernes, Sergio Pángaro & Baccarat, and musical band Que Out!. Also featuring Noelia Campo and Paola Bianco, who are not known in Argentina but could be described as being the Uruguayan equivalents of Argentine TV stars Caramelito and Pan Am. And the list goes on and on.
The band’s newsletter finishes with the following description:
‘With “Perfecto”, Dani comes down from the stage to the dancefloor with strong, catchy choruses that threaten to stay in people’s heads for months.’
Check out these websites:
Fans’ club website: http://daniumpi.tk
Fotolog written by Dani: http://fotolog.net/umpilandia
Fotolog by a fan of Dani’s: http://fotolog.net/umpilandia_tour
Fotolog of one of Dani’s security-dancers: http://fotolog.net/bebeypichon
MP3 Files:
Atración: Junto a Que Out & El Pelado
Nueva Generación: Junto a Renzo Teflón y Paco -de Astroboy-
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