About Us

Empanadas Ilegales is a seven-piece, Vancouver-based Psychedelic Cumbia & Salsa band that will transport you to a world of contagious groovy melodies and altered sounds. Influenced by traditional Amazonian, Latin-Caribbean, and Andean psychedelic classics, they create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that's perfect for letting loose on the dancefloor.

With their infectious beats and unique sound, Empanadas Ilegales will keep you moving all night long. Whether you're a fan of Latin music, psychedelia, or just love to dance, this band is a must-listen.

Their latest record, "Creepy Mambo," layers cumbia rhythms, hypnotic guitar melodies, and experimental salsa saxophone lines with surf-rock/free-jazz fusion. The album pays homage to cumbia cult classics and brings their grooves to the post-pandemic 21st century with experimental synthesizer sounds, slinky dub grooves, and feverish percussion excursions.