Biography
Brought together by their love of experimental films, unusual musical instruments, electronic music, and a shared pop sensibility, Balún was formed in San Juan, Puerto Rico by visual artist José Olivares and composer Angélica Negrón. Now based in Brooklyn, NY the group includes Noraliz Ruíz, Shayna Dunkelman (Xiu Xiu/Peptalk) and Raul Reymundi (Las Ardillas/Suturee).
Since their formation, the band has released a handful of singles and albums receiving critical acclaim from publications like Allmusic, Club Fonograma, Textura, The Big Take Over, The Tripwire, Flavorpill and Puerto Rico Indie, among others. Ever since moving to New York City, Balún has performed in festivals and stages across the country including Decibel Fest, Pop Montreal, FMEL, Issue Project Room, Mercury Lounge and NYC Popfest.
The group has done official remixes for other Latin American and European acts like Algodón Egipcio, El Columpio Asesino, Miou Miou and Adriana Calcanhotto and collaborated with teen ‘new music’ ensemble Face The Music, experimental theater company Y No Había Luz and Puerto Rican folk singer Mima. They have released music on Sgulp! Discos, Brilliante Records, Lefse Records, Mushroom Pillow, Si No Puedo Bailar, Plastilina Records and Beko-DSL
Their latest single “Años Atrás”, a mix of dembow and dream-pop music, was self-released on September 2014. This song serves as a preview of the group’s new material that explores magical realism, global folk traditions and forward thinking electronic music.
Since their formation, the band has released a handful of singles and albums receiving critical acclaim from publications like Allmusic, Club Fonograma, Textura, The Big Take Over, The Tripwire, Flavorpill and Puerto Rico Indie, among others. Ever since moving to New York City, Balún has performed in festivals and stages across the country including Decibel Fest, Pop Montreal, FMEL, Issue Project Room, Mercury Lounge and NYC Popfest.
The group has done official remixes for other Latin American and European acts like Algodón Egipcio, El Columpio Asesino, Miou Miou and Adriana Calcanhotto and collaborated with teen ‘new music’ ensemble Face The Music, experimental theater company Y No Había Luz and Puerto Rican folk singer Mima. They have released music on Sgulp! Discos, Brilliante Records, Lefse Records, Mushroom Pillow, Si No Puedo Bailar, Plastilina Records and Beko-DSL
Their latest single “Años Atrás”, a mix of dembow and dream-pop music, was self-released on September 2014. This song serves as a preview of the group’s new material that explores magical realism, global folk traditions and forward thinking electronic music.
