Back in 2007, Mexico's Indie rockers Chikita Violenta's demo landed in Dave Newfield's hands resulting in their first full length album, The Stars and Sun Sessions, and featured the collaboration of members of Broken Social Scene. By 2008, Chikita Violenta performed at SXSW on the NACO and Gibson Showcase, followed in 2009 by a performance in Oya Festival's SXSW showcase. These and other performances ironically garnered attention from the Mexican and Latin American outlets who had previously criticized the band for not singing in their native Spanish. Suddenly all were in agreement regarding the band's potential.

As things continue to unfold, they're hitting US soil again, this time for a tour supporting Built to Spill and Ra Ra Riot to be followed later by a sweet homecoming at Mexico's City Corona Fest with acts such as The Temper Trap, Metric, Pixies. Check out Chikita Violenta's latest release, titled TRE3S, which is being put out by our friends over at Arts & Crafts. Hear a couple of tracks over here at the label's site. And watch their 2008 video for the "Laydown" below.

Apply now to showcase at SXSW 2011 and possibly benefit from the same career changing exposure that aided acts like Chikita Violenta in their rise to the top.

Photo by Jesse Muniz