The La Bamba Pod

Ted Siefer
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Music
  • Updated Weekly

The La Bamba Pod starts with Ritchie Valens' 1958 recording of La Bamba and goes behind the music — hundreds of years and thousands of miles behind the music. Among other things, we examine: Why is the song called La Bamba? Could the song have its origins in a 1683 pirate attack? And just how did this folk song journey from the countryside of Veracruz, Mexico to the pantheon of rock anthems? Along the way, the series dives deep into son jarocho, the traditional Mexican musical style that's experiencing a global revival. To get in touch, email labambapod@gmail.com.

Episodes

  1. Sep 2

    Fandango!

    In this episode: A road trip to Xico. A stampede of cattle bells. The fandango's origins in the formless void of the universe? 'A letter written with the blood from my heart.' The indigenous La Bamba. Bringing a pistol to a bow-tying dance. The afterlife of Renaissance instruments in the Mexican tropics. The fandango as a global movement. As you can probably tell, this podcast is totally DIY. If want you to support it, you can at KoFi.com/labambapod. And/or if you like the pod, please spread the word and like/subscribe on your platform of choice.  If you want to get in touch, email labambapod@gmail.com Thanks for listening! Credits: Musicians/bands: Mono Blanco - El Fandanguito https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BDAYoCCgkk Los Baxin (recorded live) https://www.youtube.com/@losbaxinsonjarocho9152 Los Pajaros Del Alba (recorded live) https://open.spotify.com/artist/1DKy8jl4cJdRLywA3eqQqS?si=wNpEW0BrQBak7W0Hq1dMsg   Arancha and Las Terrmoto del Sur (recorded live) Scoring: Eduardo "Lalo" Merodio - jarana Ted Siefer - guitar and production Research assistance: Jessica Gottfried Sofía Hernández

  2. Jul 17

    A 'Most Dishonest Dance'

    In this episode: Is La Bamba a kind of car? La Bamba's origins according to the internet. A deadly drunken knife fight. The long, strange trip of an Italian friar in Mexico. El Chuchumbé. The Holy Inquisition. Credits: Musicians/bands: Los Cojolites and Natalia Lafourcade - Sembrando Flores: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emTLbk7jd8E Mono Blanco - El Chuchumbe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkD06spFxFM Scoring: Eduardo "Lalo" Merodio - jarana Ted Siefer - guitar and production Research assistance: Sofía Hernández Jessica Gottfried If you want to get in touch, email labambapod@gmail.com Thanks for listening!

  3. Jul 7

    Series Introduction + Pirates!

    In this episode: A quixotic quest is introduced. An account of the 1683 pirate attack on Veracruz. A brief account of the life of the pirate Lorencillo. The enigmatic music of son jarocho. La Bamba's connection to the attack by the pirate Lorencillo. The narrative poem of Paco Pildora. And other events worthy of happy (and not so happy) remembrance.  As you can probably tell, The La Bamba Pod is totally self produced. If want you to support it, please go to:  ko-fi.com/labambapod (I'll also be posting some photos from my reporting on the ko-fi page.)  And, if you like the pod, please spread the word, leave a review, and/or subscribe on your platform of choice.  All musicians were compensated for their work (beyond a few short clips of pre-recorded songs), as were researchers and voice actors I worked with.  If you want to get in touch, email labambapod@gmail.com Thanks for listening! Credits: Narration/voiceover: Patricia Bermúdez Joaquín Villaseñor Musicians/bands: Los Pajaros Del Alba — extended performance of La Bamba (recorded live) https://open.spotify.com/artist/1DKy8jl4cJdRLywA3eqQqS?si=rbatIahkToej-TbK6LmgWg  Son de Madera — Cascabel https://open.spotify.com/track/1rIh1XJEXYu75HgDrvjbCT?si=224285a23a774487 Chava "Peña" Cadeza https://www.facebook.com/Negritosdemataclara/ Conjunto Medellin de Lino Chavez — La Bamba https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wMhLOxRxs4 Research assistance: Sofía Hernández Jessica Gottfried

  4. Episode 1

    Introducing The La Bamba Pod

    Introducing The La Bamba Pod, a musical exploration of the origins and winding travels of one of the world's most iconic and influential songs.

  • 1 Trailer
    3 Episodes

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The La Bamba Pod starts with Ritchie Valens' 1958 recording of La Bamba and goes behind the music — hundreds of years and thousands of miles behind the music. Among other things, we examine: Why is the song called La Bamba? Could the song have its origins in a 1683 pirate attack? And just how did this folk song journey from the countryside of Veracruz, Mexico to the pantheon of rock anthems? Along the way, the series dives deep into son jarocho, the traditional Mexican musical style that's experiencing a global revival. To get in touch, email labambapod@gmail.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Ted Siefer
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    The La Bamba Pod