Song Spotlight: The Rumba Madre's Abuela (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

Sometimes when you head out into the Los Angeles music scene, you get a pleasant surprise due to an unexpected genre popping up in a line-up. The main reason I was off to a recent WFNM showcase night at Bar Lubitsch was to see pop singer Maryon King. I previously saw her back in 2025 and it was time to catch another set. Now, WFNM has a pattern of mixing up genres on any particular night. After Maryon King, up came The Rumba Madre - a near 180 shift in style. 

The Rumba Madre at Bar Lubitsch

I was off in the corner as the switch over was happening and all of a sudden I was temporarily trapped. The band was bringing up all their musical instruments. I was immediately intrigued, because they were going all out. Also, their percussion set-up was distinctly Latin American. I knew this was not the type of music I usually hear at the Los Angeles venues I cycle through. The band does have a Wikipedia page and here is how their music is described, "Their music is a mix of Latin-American and world music styles with punk, reggaetón, trap, and others."

Comment of the set: Are you having a good time, Chicago? The Windy City. 

The Rumba Madre at Bar Lubitsch

Yes, there was a sense of humor throughout the night. I'm not exactly sure what the fascination is with Chicago, but there has to be a life story reference there for lead singer David Vila Dieguez. Interesting note is that he is an Assistant Professor, Department of World Languages and Cultures at Cal State Monterey Bay.

Moment of the set: for a couple songs, he brought out a Celtic tambourine. Of course, there was humor involved. He mentioned that there is a primary finger to use while playing the instrument. It just so happens to be the middle finger and he gave the bird to everyone. 

The Rumba Madre at Bar Lubitsch

Another moment of the set: he asked if there were any Mexicans in the room. No one was Mexican. "Not even a quarter Mexican? Oh my, Lord." At least there were a couple people who spoke Spanish. 

As described in their Wikipedia page, their music hit a wide range of genres with a distinct Latin American flavor. Their song "Candela" had the band head banging. "Your 'Favourite' Mariachi" concluded the night with mariachi music.  

The Song Spotlight goes to "Abuela." Though the band believes in using humor throughout a set, they do tackle serious topics. The song is about a child who was sent away from home during the Spanish Civil War. She was sent to Mexico. The war resulted in 500,000 deaths. The song is a historical story and starts off with the lyrics:

The Rumba Madre at Bar Lubitsch

La abuela nació en medio de una guerra
Cuando el fascismo casi conquista Europa

English translation via Google. 

Grandmother was born in the midst of a war
When fascism almost conquered Europe

Partial Setlist: La Rumba del CoCo, Abuela, Rosario, Candela, Your 'Favourite' Mariachi.