EMPANADAS ILEGALES

Vancouver's Empanadas Ilegales, formed in 2017, are purveyors of psychedelic cumbia and salsa, blending Latin American traditions with a West Coast sensibility. Their sound, featuring musicians with roots in Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Canada, is a vibrant fusion of cumbia rhythms, surf-rock guitar, salsa brass, and free-jazz improvisation. With their latest album, Laboratorio Tropical, released in August 2026 via We Are Time, they continue to deliver expansive, dance-driven compositions. Expect a rich, percussive journey through altered sonic landscapes.