The genre that is “Afro-Peruvian-Mojo” is not household term when it comes to music terms. It does, however, remain an apt descriptor for local band Mojo Birds. Part indie-pop and soul band, part percussive-heavy outfit with subtle world-beat and gospel hints and all loaded with choice guitar, the local band pulls from a lot of influences, banging out head boppers ripe to fill a dance floor.
If you go
WHAT: Montezuma Rising Festival in Mancos.
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday.
WHERE: Fenceline Cidery, 141 Main St., Mancos.
TICKETS: $35/day.
MORE INFORMATION: Instagram @ southwest_fest.
Mojo Birds – Jay Harootunian on guitar and vocals; Alexi Leon on vocals and percussion; Brian Aherne on guitar; Ted Moore on drums; Silas Hamilton on bass; and Alex Taub on keyboards – is one of the many bands performing at the Montezuma Rising Festival happening this weekend at Fenceline Cider in Mancos, their set taking place Saturday.
They remain based in La Plata County, but they kicked 2025 off in Nashville, Tennessee, recording what will be their self-titled debut. It helps to have friends and acquaintances in musical places: Harootunian is tied into Oliver Wood of the Wood Brothers, who pushed the band to come and record with Wood Brothers drummer and record producer Jano Rix at “The Studio Nashville.”
“That’s what brought us to Nashville. We were very excited to work with him; we just love his music and love his style,” said Harootunian, who was stoked to not only work with Rix, but with Brook Sutton, who engineered the session. “We just knew they had a flavor. We liked what they were doing, and they just have a raw take on music, and that’s what we were looking for.”
The band spent nine days in Music City. Priding themselves on being a live band, they hit the studio with the idea that the record would be recorded as live as possible; it was a DIY effort.
“We play live together so much, that’s kind of what we rely on and it’s nothing different than playing a show, essentially,” he said. “We go in there, do the thing, and just try to capture it and hopefully get in the mindset where the studio doesn’t affect the music too much.”
That live music approach can be heard on the cuts. “Good Things” was recorded around a single mic, with piano and percussion accompaniment. Harootunian’s vocals remain bouncy and uplifting, and the harmonies and hand claps lead the tune in a gospel direction, while “Trust and Surrender” is a roots-pop groover that is thick with horns. Harmonies, hand claps, percussion and horn are all part of their sound cocktail.
“I think our music is a mix of genres,” said the Peru-born Leon. “I tried to bring that Afro-Peruvian music, and with percussion particularly, and I think fusion with the flavor that each of the members have makes it. It’s hard to call it one genre, because it’s a mix of all kinds of spices like in food. It’s Afro-Peruvian flavor.”
“What we’re trying to do is pull form our favorite artists,” Harootunian added. “Blues, African rhythms, Peruvian music, and just, you know, living in Durango too, there’s so much great bluegrass and folk. We’ve got a buffet of music, so we’re taking a little bit of everything and pulling our favorite parts.”
This weekend’s Montezuma Rising Festival remains a showcase of regional bands, proof yet again that the talent pool of the Four Corners remains deeper than many may think.
“It is so much fun to share music. Not just to play it and share it, but to get to see all of our friends play,” Leon said. “It’s all about the music community.”
Saturday’s lineup includes Influsense, Yope, Little Brother and the Mojo Birds, while Sunday’s features Thylan, Hotel Draw, Lavalanche and Desert Child.
Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager. Reach him at liggett_b@fortlewis.edu.
