Acelere

Penya are led by the distinct power vocals of Angelica Lopez. Singer/songwriter Angelica Lopez hails originally from Colombia and expresses dark tales of struggle and progress gotten through uncut determination. There are echoes in Angelica's writing of Colombian indigenous traditions and motifs from experiences gained whilst travelling across South America. Angelica's bloodstream flows with Caribbean dance rhythms and as a songwriter she channels the story telling / troubadour tradition strong in Colombia and ably reaches the high energy peaks of carnival anthems such as 'Acelere'. The band co-write drawing from their influences and experiences from across the globe.

Virtuosic percussion runs a seam through Penya's music as four of the five members are heavy players who are all eager to contribute with drum talk. Aldofredo Pulido on Bass Guitar frames the rhythm section with the Venezuelan's explorative electronics scattering further textures. Versatile Lilli Elina, a mesmerising one-woman band who moved to the UK from Finland to study and became obsessed with Cuban music as a result!! Lilli plays synth, various percussion and sings in the band. The two lead female vocals of Penya dominate the band's unique stage dynamic. Virtuosic Magnus Mehta, whose Indian roots, worldly travel, classical training and drum indoctrination during a stint in Cuba can be found playing guitar for Penya. This musical diversion from Magnus adds a layer of punk attitude and verve. Jim Le Messurier is the band's drummer and comes battle ready having been deeply rooted in the Afro-Cuban santeria scene, a master of the bata drums who is initiated into the religion and has created in the styles of Peruvian folk music, merengue and boogaloo to name but a few. He also has credit for starting the acclaimed 'La Clave' that set a benchmark for Salsa based Latin music in the UK.

Penya bring a punk aesthetic to the dance as their deep party grooves swell with hypnotic afro-colombian percussion, passion and flair. The band member's individual journeys tell the tale of their rhythmic migrations that have now hit the Penya vanishing point in London's cosmopolitan stew.

'Acelere', Penya's first 12" E.P is weighted on the remix flex by DJ Khalab, with his production partner Mess Morize, who give 'Acelere' a dose of afro-futuristic funk. 'Acelere's' global triumvirate is completed with a delectable, percussive rework by Jose Marquez, that distills the band's ferociously vibrant, red-blooded grooves for low-down dance floors and, the wilds of festival euphoria. On the Corner's inimitable in-house art-ACE Victoria Topping has again brought the fledgling label's hi-impact phonic feasts to life visually. 'Acelere' is set for a short stay on discerning store shelves from October 2016.

Although Magnus Mehta plays guitar in Penya he demonstrated his nowse for combining electronic adventures into his global percussion toolbox through the Magnus P.I (Penya Investigations) cassette also released earlier in 2016 by On the Corner (OtC).

Early support for the 'Acelere' EP has come from: Tom Ravenscroft/ BBC 6Music, Jimpster / Freestyle Records, Andrew / Bandcamp Weekly RadioJamie Hypercolour, Luke Slater (LB Dub Corp), Simbad, Dom Servini,Tim Hopgood /Ethyl Music, Chris Greenwood/Bonaza Music, Gerd /4lux, Will LV/ Brownswood, Thris Tian/WorldwideFM, Jerrome Derradji/itsstill music, Charlie/Naim.