Turbo Sonidero Futuristico
By Contra Discos Records

 

As the strapping Mexican Beat Maker behind the stage name Turbo Sonidero Futuristico , Roman Zepeda has concocted a fluidity of sounds all his own. Though born and raised in East Side San Jose, California, Zepeda was constantly immersed into the culture and sounds of Puebla, Mexico. With the sounds of Cumbia Sonidera Mexicana, Grupo kual, Grupo la Cumbia, Grupo Ju-Juy, Dinastia Pedrazza, and Andres Landero constantly competing with the Hip-Hop, Baile Funk, and TR-808 drum sounds that the 80's brought, it's no wonder that these influences turned Zepeda on to a genre of music known as Tumbia which is a mixture of Cumbia and Turbo Bass.

Since his birth on May 23, 1981, music was a constant in Roman's life. At the age of 14, Zepeda was nothing more than an 80's kid with a guitar and a dream to play punk rock. It was not until one summer night of '95 that Zepeda would answer to fate's calling by leaving the role of musician behind. DJ Shadow's music video “Midnight in a Perfect World” opened up Zepeda's eyes to the concept of composing, an idea which would alter his life for the better. After that revelation, Zepeda sold his guitar and bought a drum machine and synth. As time passed, he went from messing around with different underground Hip-Hop beats to composing Experimental Electronic music. During one of his annual trips to Puebla, Mexico, Roman purchased and began listening to a few of the Cumbia Poblana CD's but he wanted to move away from the Neo Cumbia which were too pop-like for his taste. At that time he was living in Oakland, California and soon enough the cars with bass came to be very influential in helping him add Ghetto Bass and TR-808 kicks to the more clean-cut Cumbia style. His original “hoodie” sound is best represented in the song titles “Tumbia del Mar” and “Donador de Organo en Tumbia”.

Roman Zepeda's first performance as Turbo Sonidero Futuristico was at Cultura En Tu Idioma. On May 30, 2009 Zepeda was given the opportunity to open up for Bocafloja. He performed at rapper Mex Tape Angel's birthday party, I'm So San Jo, on June 27th of 2009 where he opened up for Mr. Philthy, Vida Kills, and Operator Chan among others. In September of 2009 Zepeda opened up for Grito Callejero at the Noche del Grito de Independencia show. Then on November 15, 2009 Calaveras Tattoo Shop had Zepeda perform as an opener for Los Valenberg, Los Tiliches, Qodice, and Sonido Chango. His community involvement so far includes his performance at DeAnza Community College where he was part of the Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americano (MACLA).

Turbo Sonidero Futuristico and rapper Mex Tape decided to join forces in a collaboration that would open doors and leave audiences impressed. On December 9, 2009 both played at Tigre Sonidero Internet Radio (important Sonidero from the Bay Area) under the name TurboMex.

Under his stage name Turbo Sonidero Futuristico, Zepeda has received much recognition in reviews on the Dubstepped blog, and was chosen by DJ SEP (KPFA 94.1 and Elbo Room's Dub Mission) in the Off The Beaten Path Radio Show Best Of 2009 where his recognition as one of the year's best was accompanied by that of Major Lazer, ZZK Records, DJ Vadim, Buraka Som Sistema, and several others.

  Zepeda's rip-roaring ambition does not stop with his music. His degree in Video Production from San Francisco State University gives him the advantage in a society that is in constant need of visual stimulation. He is at the core of every aspect of creativity that he is able to muster up and that is evident through his self-produced music videos and musical compositions. Roman Zepeda has taken every side of his Mexican and ESSJ culture and transformed it into a unique sound that is both raw and “hoodie” but can just as easily get even the most tightly wound on their feet. He has given the old 80's and Cumbia sounds a run for their money and is embracing his definition of what Tumbia really is.

Contra Discos Records is a fresh new record label that is coming out of San Jose CA. They have a different sound from everyone esle, their sound is a mix of Cumbia, Turbo Bass, Hip Hop, Electro and Sonidero music combine.

www.contradiscos.com