The debate over immigration in the United States is too often mired in doublespeak and the vitriol of xenophobia. As musicians, La Santa Cecilia chose a humanizing and harmonizing tone for their new single “El Hielo (ICE).” The Los Angeles-based Latin Grammy-nominated band tackles the issue head on with verse vignettes lyrically telling the story of Eva, a domestic worker, Jose, a jardinero, and Martha, an undocumented student aspiring to higher education.
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In a reference to Orange County, lead singer La Marisoul sings that, as a landscaper, Jose can make a “lawn look like Disneyland,” but drives a worn pickup truck without a license. The character in the song could just as easily live in Anaheim all the same. The themes of “El Hielo (ICE)” hit close to home for many of the band members–La Marisoul based “Eva” on the lived experiences of her mother, who makes ends meet cleaning homes.
La Santa Cecilia, who the Weekly deemed LA's next big Latino band way back in early 2009 and has since signed with Universal Music Latin Entertainment, has also performed local benefit shows over the years for the Orange County DREAM Team. They continue to lend their talents to the cause whenever and wherever possible.
It's a subversive musical expression of human warmth that could melt the icy heart of even the coldest Know Nothing!
Gabriel San Román is from Anacrime. He’s a journalist, subversive historian and the tallest Mexican in OC. He also once stood falsely accused of writing articles on Turkish politics in exchange for free food from DönerG’s!