MXTX
A Cross-Border Exchange

 

MXTX is a live performance, album, and an open-source audio sample library crossing physical and social boundaries. Created through a collaborative exchange, the curated, gender-balanced project involves more than forty DJ-producers and composers from both sides of the Rio Grande.

MXTX is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation & Development Fund Project co-commissioned by Harvey and Kathleen Guion, along with Ballroom Marfa, Fusebox Festival, Wexner Center for the Arts, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

As the 45th U.S. President stoked racism nationally and worked to build a “wall” between Texas and México, MXTX seeks to build musical, cultural, and social bridges through collective art making, community outreach, and live performances -- recognizing that borders are artificial creations, that our two countries share deep historical ties, and that we can resist and repel the forces of intolerance through our art.

 
 
A Peligrosa show at The North Door.

A Peligrosa show at The North Door.

The original Cam Stack & Crank Handle was composed by Graham Reynolds, as part of his triple concerto, The Difference Engine. This remix - by Orión García - was released in 2018 as part of the fully remastered LP. While it isn’t a result of this project, the collaboration served as one of the origins for MXTX and speaks to the ways in which classical and dance music production styles can be melded.

MXTX: A Cross-Border Exchange Album Out Now

The full album is available now on Six Degrees Records and features tracks from: Alex E. Chávez, Alina Hernandez Maldonado, Bragglights, Dario Valderrama, Felipe Pérez Santiago, Gabriela Ortiz, Graham Reynolds, Jane Claire, Microhm, Orión García, Ramón Amezcua "Bostich", Rubén Albarrán, Susie Ibarra, and Yvonne Goodwyne.

Stream MXTX
 
Orión García and Graham Reynolds in the studio at the beginning stages of the sound library.

Orión García and Graham Reynolds in the studio at the beginning stages of the sound library.

CO-CURATORS

Three Co-Curators based in Austin, Texas and México City are engaged in dialogue with Artistic Director Graham Reynolds so as to best represent the multitude of perspectives involved.

Each brings a unique set of experiences to the table, while also reflecting a history of prior collaborations with Golden Hornet's team.

Portion of the existing border wall.

Portion of the existing border wall.

Oríon García

Orión García is best known for his consistent contributions to cultural blendings of music and art. He has been writing, composing and performing varying styles of music for over fiffteen years. In 2007 he founded Peligrosa, the widely known Latin/o/a/x collective of djs, producers and artists, who continue to promulgate music and visuals from a variety of diasporas with a considerable focus on sounds from Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of Africa and Europe.

COKA TREVIñO

From Monterrey México, Coka Treviño has worked extensively in art and music, holding every position imaginable within the cultural scene, curating being her favorite. In 2009 she founded The Projecto, looking to facilitate cultural exchange with different cities and artistic expressions. In 2010 The Projecto moved to Austin where they have been hosting international artists and collaborating with different local institutions to enable dialogue and community enrichment. She also works as Curator and Director of Programming at Big Medium.

Felipe Pérez SANTIAGO

Considered one of the most active and recognized composers of Mexico’s musical scene, Felipe Pérez Santiago has received several prizes and recognitions in Europe, United States and Latin America. His compositions have been played and commissioned in more than 40 countries by internationally renowned orchestras and ensembles and has been invited as resident composer to conservatories, universities and institutio all over the world.

Graham and Felipe together in Mexico City, recording “Pancho Villa from a Safe Distance.”

Graham and Felipe together in Mexico City, recording “Pancho Villa from a Safe Distance.”

Partnerships

Beyond Peligrosa, Vórtice Ensemble, and other Co-Curator activated networks, partnerships will be be a key central theme for this endeavor, not only to activate communities as part of the NEA Challenge America, but also to ensure that the goals set out are achieved in a true and meaningful manner. Conversations are underway; if you are interested to be a part of this project, don't hesitate to contact us.

SAMPLE LIBRARY CONTRIBUTORS

Forty artists from or based in Texas and México were invited to participate in the creation of the first stage of the endeavor, the MXTX audio sample library. Collaborators were selected to balance representation geographically, by gender identity, and by genre, but no contributor will be constrained to one nationality, culture, or identity in the artistic contributions they make.

Josh Baca of Los Texmaniacs in the studio with his Honer accordion, recording notated samples for the audio sample library.

Josh Baca of Los Texmaniacs in the studio with his Honer accordion, recording notated samples for the audio sample library.

 

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE DONORS WHO HAVE COMMITTED THEIR SUPPORT TO THIS ENDEAVOR SO FAR

Co-Commissioners

Kathleen & Harvey Guion

Ballroom Marfa

Fusebox Festival

Wexner Center for the Arts

Ensemble Sponsors

Gilmer/Rushing Philanthropic Fund of the Southwest Community Foundation

Track Sponsors

Shalini Ramanathan & Chris Tomlinson

Kathy Blackbird & Craig Hurwitz

Tim & Karrie League

Amy Holloway

Christopher Cross & Joy Authur

Calvin & Joy Gooden

Amber Carden

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Joseph Strickland, Chris & Lorelei Calvert, Richard J. Trabulsi Jr., Megan Field, Dianna Rice, Huddie & Kevin Murray, Dan Graham, Jinji Willingham, Nakia, Paul Waugh

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Madge Darlington, Carol Moore, David Lobel, Sally Jo Hahn, Amy Holloway & Chris Engle, Edward Magee, Stay Local Austin, Raj Patel & Mini Kahlon, Tim Walsh, David Quin, Laurence McGonigal, Charlie Lockwood & Kelly Grajeda, George & Dona Reynolds, Blake Trabulsi, Noah Kagan, Alberto Varon, Ihor Gowda, Cristina Albarran, Pauline Strong & Barrik Van Winkle, Kati, Carol Austin, Frank Rodriguez, Egan, Jessica Sager, Diane T. Land, L.B. Deyo, David Hartstein, Elena Bessire, Shannon Morris, Anahi Perez, Lynn Woods, Cait McCann, Dermot O'Driscoll, Shawn Sides, Emily Vowell, James Murray, Phillip Martinez, Heather & Reed Arnos, Tizoc Trevino, and many other Kickstarter backers.

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MXTX is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation & Development Fund Project co-commissioned by Harvey and Kathleen Guion, along with Ballroom Marfa, Fusebox Festival, Wexner Center for the Arts, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.