Tijuana Cartel are an electronic music group from Gold Coast, Australia.[1] They have described their sound as electronic music with a world music element.[2]

Tijuana Cartel
Paul George of Tijuana Cartel 2012
Paul George of Tijuana Cartel 2012
Background information
OriginGold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Years active
  • 2003–present
Members
  • Paul George
  • Carey O'Sullivan
Past members
  • Joshua Sinclair
  • Daniel Gonzalez
  • She-J

The group formed in 2003, taking their name from the movie Traffic.[3] Originally consisting of Paul George and Carey O'Sullivan, they remain the sole consistent members of the group which has also included Joshua Sinclair, Daniel Gonzalez, She-J, and others within their live shows.[4][5][6]

After releasing a self-titled EP in 2003, Tijuana Cartel released an EP titled Frequent Flyers which was expanded to become their 2007 debut album Frequent Flyers Redeemed.[7][8] The album mixed flamenco guitar with electronic music, while later albums mixed dub, roots, and rock music sounds.[9]

After receiving airplay on national radio station Triple J, the band began to gain some recognition and toured festivals around Australia.[10] This led to further tours in Europe, India, and Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games.[11]

The Sydney Morning Herald called them "one of the most fearsome live bands in the country" but noted their albums often did not live up to that reputation until 2014's 24bit Guitar Orchestra.[12]

Their 2015 album Psychedelicatessan was inspired by, and featured samples from, the Australian cult radio play What's Rangoon To You Is Grafton To Me, written and performed by Russell Guy and James Dibble. Russell visited Tijuana Cartel's studio while they were recording after they sought permission to use his work.[13][14]

The band won Live Act Of The Year at 2018 and 2020's Gold Coast Music Awards.[15][16] They are nominated for 2021's awards for Live Act Of The Year, and Video Of The Year for their song Minimal Stuffing.[17]

Discography

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Frequent Flyers Redeemed - 2007

They Come - 2009

M1 - 2011

24bit Guitar Orchestra - 2014

Psychedelicatessan - 2015

Live at Hotel Brunswick - 2018

Acid Pony - 2021

Alectura - 2023

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References

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  1. ^ "Track by Track: Tijuana Cartel take us through their new album Acid Pony". The AU Review. 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  2. ^ "Tijuana Cartel". The Brag. 2014-03-19. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  3. ^ Oswin, Emily. "Tijuana Cartel Bring A Musical Feast To BlenheimFest & Sea N Sound". scenestr - Pop Culture & Entertainment. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  4. ^ "Breaking the Cartel". The West Australian. 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  5. ^ "Tijuana Cartel | triple j Unearthed". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  6. ^ "Tijuana Cartel: Re-Up". www.scenemagazine.com.au. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  7. ^ "29 Aug 2007 - uROK - Archived Website". Trove. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  8. ^ "Tijuana Cartel Tour Dates - Music Samples - Photos » The Art of Mother Earth - Events Australia - Daniel Wilson". 2007-03-15. Archived from the original on 15 March 2007. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  9. ^ Tobin, Cassandra (2011). "Tijuana Cartel on the M1". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  10. ^ "Breaking the Cartel". The West Australian. 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  11. ^ "Tijuana Cartel". Beat Magazine. 2011-10-20. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  12. ^ "Shortlist weekly album reviews". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  13. ^ Smith, Michael (2015). "Tijuana Cartel's New Album Was Inspired By A Gonzo Radio Play". The Music. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  14. ^ Drever, Andrew (2015-09-10). "Tijuana Cartel turn to Australian gonzo guru Russell Guy for inspiration". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  15. ^ "StackPath". amnplify.com.au. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  16. ^ Staff Writers. "2020 Gold Coast Coast Music Awards Winners". scenestr - Pop Culture & Entertainment. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  17. ^ Staff Writers. "Gold Coast Music Awards 2021 Finalists". scenestr - Pop Culture & Entertainment. Retrieved 2022-01-31.