Interested in screening our documentary on music and climate justice? Contact us for inquiry.
Listen to Spotify-exclusive single “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” by Ruby Ibarra and Bootleg Orchestra (released May 2022)
Our latest single (released 3/25/22) is inspired by Bodeck Luna’s piece ‘Solidaritron’ and supported by the Chinese American Museum’s Community Resilience: Community Xpressive Initiative
Above: Vanessa Acosta (vocals/trumpet), Menchie Caliboso (bass/production), and Andrew Dickson (guitar/production).
Based in Los Angeles/Long Beach, Bootleg Orchestra is a trio that creates electronic/soul music as a soundtrack for collective and personal transformations occurring in the growing anti-imperialist and anti-fascist movement. As cultural workers, Bootleg Orchestra chooses to continue the path of creating and releasing music because of its value in educating listeners on community issues, advocating for community-led campaigns, and inspiring listeners to create change through organized community-based action.
Drawing influences from electronica, R&B, and jazz, Bootleg Orchestra released their first full-length album, MAKIBAKA, on August 27, 2021. The album reflects their lived duality of organizing in the community and serving the people while working through their own personal journey of healing. In the past, they have shared the stage with Ruby Ibarra, Tiffany Gouche, Sylvan Esso and Gallant, and Talib Kweli.
In May 2024, Bootleg Orchestra collaborated with Roger Rigor of the iconic Filipino disco band VST&Company to create a song and documentary that highlights the role of music and cultural work in movements for social and environmental justice. This was premiered at the Los Angeles Asian-Pacific Film Festival hosted by Visual Communications Media.
When not creating music or organizing in the community, the three are changing lives through their own expertise: Acosta through holistic health, Caliboso through data analytics/science, and Dickson through law.
Follow us on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud!
Listen to our full discography and purchase our music at bootlegorchestra.bandcamp.com
THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM AND SUPPORTERS!
JOHN ZAFRA-HAAS (DIRECTOR/EDITOR 1)
JOANNE DANGANAN (CO-PRODUCER)
ZO SHAY (SOUND DESIGN)
JANUARY ROAN (ANIMATION)
BLAINE SUQUE (EDITOR 2)
WE ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING TO SCREEN THIS DOCUMENTARY IN FESTIVALS, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY-SPACES. PLEASE CONTACT FOR INQUIRY.
THANK YOU TO OUR GROWING LIST OF SPONSORS…
ASIAN PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK
LONG BEACH FORWARD
LONG BEACH ARTS COUNCIL
DJ THATFLYPINAY
THANK YOU TO OUR SEED&SPARK SUPPORTERS FOR HELPING US REACH OUR FIRST FUNDRAISING GOAL!
THANK YOU TO THE WING LUKE MUSEUM FOR FEATURING OUR DOCUMENTARY TRAILER IN THE
SOUNDCHECK! THE MUSIC WE MAKE EXHIBITION (RUNNING THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2024)!
We’re excited to announce that we’re producing our first mini-documentary featuring Roger Rigor (VST & Company)! The idea was born out of a yearning for music that went beyond showing the musician’s creative process by highlighting political ideology that inevitably has a hand in birthing so many songs. As musicians, we’re interested in sharpening our practice as cultural workers - that is, artists that are accountable to revolutionary culture. As organizers, we also often ponder how our music can function as both an educational and organizing tool. We hope that this documentary inspires other artists to serve liberation movements through their work and organizing.
In November 2022, world leaders gathered at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt while activists protested inside and outside the walls of COP27 to heighten the call for both climate justice and human rights. On the same weekend, we flew to Seattle, Washington to record a song with Roger. Through conversations, interviews and collaborative songwriting, this documentary follows our journey with Roger in creating and recording a song that raises critical awareness of climate change and calls for the urgent need for international solidarity.
For full treatment and other inquiries, please e-mail we.are.bootleg.orchestra@gmail.com
Director/Cinematographer: John Haas | Producer: Menchie Caliboso | Producer: Joanne Danganan | Editors: John Haas & Blaine Suque | Score: Bootleg Orchestra
UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE OPEN FOR BOOKINGS BUT ON A LIMITED BASIS
EMAIL WE.ARE.BOOTLEG.ORCHESTRA@GMAIL.COM FOR INQUIRIES
09/14 | SAN PEDRO, CA
W/ ROGER RIGOR (VST&CO) AND FRIENDS
AT FPAC
05/12 | POMONA, CA
NEXTFEST LA
05/09 | LONG BEACH, CA
LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL (BY VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS)
DOCUMENTARY WORLD PREMIERE OF “REACH OUT”
05/26/23 | TBA LOS ANGELES, CA
ASIAN PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK (APEN) SOCAL LAUNCH
10/01/22 | LOS ANGELES, CA
EXOTIC FRUITS FESTIVAL @ SV STUDIOS
09/03/22 | LOS ANGELES, CA
FPAC @ LEVITT PAVILION
08/25 | TORRANCE, CA
THE VILLE W/ LUNA LOVEBAD & BLACK NOISE THEORY
CANCELLED
08/19/22 | SAN FRANCISCO, CA
KAPWA GARDENS W/ POWER STRUGGLE
07/23/22 | LONG BEACH, CA
4TH FRIDAYS
06/25/22 | LONG BEACH, CA
BORN THIS GAY LB FESTIVAL
06/11/22 | LONG BEACH, CA
THE PEOPLE’S BUDGET
06/02/22 | LOS ANGELES, CA
THE GOLDFISH W/ TBD
05/04/22 | LOS ANGELES, CA
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE W/ NO SWOON
LONG BEACH CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL (2021)
Headliner
NIGHT DIVE @ AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC (2021)
Headliner
UNITE! A CONCERT FOR ANTI-IMPERIALIST STRUGGLES
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE OF PEOPLE’S STRUGGLES (2021)
Headliner
THE BOOTLEG THEATRE, LOS ANGELES
with Ruby Ibarra and Travis Atreo
BRICK + MORTAR, SAN FRANCISCO
with Ruby Ibarra
LONG BEACH FILIPINO FESTIVAL, LONG BEACH
with Beatrock Music
KCRW MUSIC TASTES GOOD FESTIVAL, LONG BEACH
with De La Soul, Sylvan Esso, Gallant, Christian Scott, Las Cafeteras, and more.
VILLAGE FEST, LONG BEACH
with Talib Kweli, Pharcyde, Murs, and Supernatural.
LIVE AFTER 5: NEO-SOULSTICE, LONG BEACH
with Tiffany Gouche, Jungle Fire, Katalyst, NiceGuyxVinny, and Black Noise.
BUSKERFEST, LONG BEACH
LONG BEACH ZINE FEST @ MUSEUM OF LATINA AMERICAN ART, LONG BEACH
with Avi Buffalo and more.
DUBLAB RADIO IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE, LOS ANGELES
THE PROSPECTOR, LONG BEACH
with Eddie Cole and Fourth Dimension (4D)
THE BRASS LAMP, LONG BEACH
with No Swoon and Gemma Castro
THE FEDERAL UNDERGROUND, LONG BEACH
with Free The Robots, Via Leaves, and Bobby Blunders
HUSTLE FEST, LONG BEACH
with Litronix, The Natives, 2Mex, and more.
QUE SERA, LONG BEACH
with The Black Noise and King Kang
• Features •
Long Beach Post: Hi-Lo (2024)
Mahalaya Vol. 1, Issue 3 (2022)
Stacks FX (2022)
FORTHE (2021)
BuzzMusic LA (2021)
• Archive •
BuzzBands LA (2016)
Culture Collide (2016)
Long Beach Post (2016)
Culture Collide (2016)
OC Weekly (with Free The Robots) (2015)
OC Weekly (Hustle Long Beach) (2015)
feat. Sierra Fujita Puett | Directed by John Haas | Produced by Francisco Refuerzo
NEDA SHAHRAM
we.are.bootleg.orchestra@gmail.com
we.are.bootleg.orchestra@gmail.com
