“There should be fireworks named after this band, for all the intensity and color and life that bursts forth from Flor de Toloache. - Marisa Arbona-Ruiz, NPR's First Listen
Latin GRAMMY Winners Flor de Toloache make New York City history as its’ First and Only All-Women Mariachi Group. Founded in 2008, Flor de Toloache is lead by singers Mireya I. Ramos (founder) & Shae Fiol (founding member). Reminiscent of the early days of mariachi the group started as a trio, Harp, Violin and Vihuela. Today, Flor De Toloache’s members hail from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States. This defines their unique flavor and sound. The result of this cultural bouquet is an edgy, versatile and fresh take on traditional Mexican music. They coalesce as would a band of sisters, with a grace and vibrant beauty that casts a spell over their audiences not unlike the legendary Toloache flower still being used in Mexico as a love potion. While working to preserve centuries old traditions of Mariachi, their melange of the traditional and the modern pushes the boundaries of the genre and brings Mariachi music to new audiences.
Over the course of the last few years, Flor de Toloache’s performances have illuminated world renowned stages in Europe and India. In November 2015, the group embarked on an extensive European and U.S tour as the opening act of Black Keys’ singer Dan Auerbach’s new band, The Arcs. After performances to sold out audiences in the UK, Germany, Holland, Italy, France, they continued to captivate crowds in the U.S. at legendary venues such as First Avenue in Minneapolis, The Vic in Chicago, Terminal 5 in New York, DC 930 Club and Nashville’s Ryman Theater (The Grand Ole Opry). A spring 2016 West Coast Tour performing as part of / and opening for The Arcs, including dates such as the Coachella Festival also took place.
Flor De Toloache’s critically acclaimed self-titled debut album received a Latin Grammy nomination for “Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album” in 2015. Sharing the podium with legends Pedro Fernández and Aida Cuevas was an embrace from the Latin Music Community. The group’s live performances were praised by Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, The New Yorker, GQ Magazine, The New York Times. Following a highly praised NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert”, their collaboration with rock supergroup The Arcs landed them on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and BBC 2’s Later with Jools Holland.
Ran by NYC Salsa powerhouse Los Hacheros’ leader, Jacob Plasse, Chulo Records, the home of the band’s new record “Las Caras Lindas” was also the connecting bridge between Mariachi Flor De Toloache and The Arcs, with whom Flor De Toloache recorded “Yours, Dreamily,” released in the fall of 2015. Also recently released were collaborations and featured appearances of Flor De Toloache on Chicano Batman’s new album “Freedom is Free”, No Te Va Gustar‘s new album “Suenan Las Alarmas”, Luba Mason’s new record “Mixtura” – produced by Jimmy Haslip and Luba Mason. More releases included three collaborations with Fania Records recorded and filmed live for the legendary label.
Perpetually on tour, the band wrapped up a year full of amazing performances, including a run in support of their latest record “Las Caras Lindas” released by Daptone distributed New York City based Chulo Records which included dates with the iconic Mexican superstars Café Tacvba, as well as a Day of the Dead run with Latin Grammy Winners La Santa Cecilia and Camilo Lara’s Mexrissey.
Flor De Toloache's appearance at the Xavier Music Series is sponsored by the Xavier University Women of Excellence Grant.