Money Chicha

Money Chicha is an Austin, Texas-based group featuring members of the Grammy-award-winning Latin orchestra Grupo Fantasma and its offshoot funk outfit Brownout which performs a fuzzed-out, reverb-drenched, and percussion-heavy style of music inspired by the sounds of Peru and Colombia in the '60s and '70s. This style of music, sometimes called “Chicha” music, is known for its infectious Latin beat, its psychedelic, surf guitar pyrotechnics, and its melodies influenced by the indigenous culture of the Andes mountains.

The group’s sound is derived from the exhilarating syncopations of congas, cowbell, and timbales, the gritty tones of combo organs and vintage synthesizers, effects-laden guitar melodies, insistent basslines, and a healthy dose of trippy, psychedelic effects. Money Chicha is a modern translation of this South American musical style interpreted by highly skilled veterans of America’s most vibrant music town. In their capable hands the “Chicha” genre takes on a new and unique character, guaranteed to move one to both dance and listen, entranced by the undeniable rhythms and virtuosic displays of musicality.

Money Chicha’s debut album, Echo en Mexico, was released in July 2016 on Vampisoul/Munster records (Spain) and received overwhelming praise from critics and tastemakers in North/South America and Europe as well. The follow-up Chicha Summit was released in October 2021 and features collaborations with Peruvian guitar hero and Chicha innovator Jose Luis Carballo (Chacalon, La Nueva Crema) The group has performed at Tropico Festival in Acapulco, MX, Mapquest music festival, SXSW, Pachanga Festival, and Mole de Mayo festival in Chicago, IL