You hear them performing at parties, funerals, restaurants, and on film and TV. Mariachis are part of the soundtrack of Southern California, their bright horns and beautiful "charro" and "charra" outfits and lusty gritos as much a part of our identity as G-Funk and surf rock. But, for now, mariachis are largely silent. Their livelihoods depend on live events, and the coronavirus restrictions have shut them all down. Our guest is Carlos Samaniego, the musical director for Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, possibly the world’s first LGBTQ mariachi group.

More reading: How the coronavirus muted L.A. mariachi music.

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