Mauri Tapia makes music under this moniker, blending 70s soft rock, Latin soul, and bedroom pop into warm, tape-kissed songs.

Tape-warm origins, bilingual soul

Raised in Oxnard, he writes and plays most parts himself, then brings a small band to open the songs wider onstage. Expect a mellow arc with singalongs on Someone To Spend Time With, the gentle sway of New Humanity, and a groovier stretch if Amtrak appears.

Likely flow and who shows up

The room skews bilingual and friendly, with couples near the front and quiet crate-diggers nodding along in the back. He first released music through Stones Throw Records, after building a following with home recordings made in his family garage. A neat tidbit: his early mixes often kept tiny room sounds in, giving the drums a dry, intimate snap that fans now expect. All set and production notes here are my best read from recent shows and could change on the night.

The Los Retros Scene, Up Close

Expect thrifted cardigans, vintage soccer jerseys, and a few crochet tops, with people holding old film cameras at the rail.

Bilingual singalongs, gentle sway

Spanish and English mingle in singalongs, and you might hear an 'Otra!' chant spark before the encore. Merch leans retro: ringer tees, soft pastel prints, and the occasional cassette or 7-inch for collectors.

Quiet listeners, big hearts

Fans tend to save chatter for between songs, giving quiet ballads room to breathe. Couples sway but also step back to let guitar lines bloom when the band stretches a groove. You will see friends comparing favorite deep cuts and debating whether the home-recorded versions or the roomier live takes hit harder. The overall feel is neighborly and unhurried, like a late afternoon hang that slowly turns into a dance.

How Los Retros Sounds Onstage

The vocals sit soft and close, often just above a whisper, which lets the bass and drums carry the motion.

Glassy chords, patient pocket

Guitars favor clean chorus tones and short echoes, while keys add Rhodes-like warmth and occasional string pads. Tempos tend to cruise in the middle range, but the band nudges them up live to make room for a light two-step.

Small shifts that open space

Arrangements breathe, with verses trimmed and codas stretched so melodies can loop without feeling busy. A subtle trick they use is dropping certain songs a half-step lower, which deepens the color and makes long notes easier to hold. Listen for an extended instrumental on New Humanity, where guitar and keys trade small riffs while drums keep a pocket just behind the beat. Lights stay warm and dim, using amber and blue washes that match the tape-worn tone rather than overwhelm it. When the groove locks, the bassist leads with melodic runs, and the drummer answers with crisp ghost notes that keep the sway.

Kindred Ears: Los Retros Fans' Overlaps

Fans of Cuco will find the same tender, bilingual daydreams and slow-dance tempos.

Warmth over volume

Men I Trust appeal overlaps thanks to clean bass hooks, soft vocals, and a steady midtempo glide. Mild High Club shares the jazzy chords and loungey keys that ease songs into a hazy groove.

SoCal color, patient builds

If you like tight, slightly psychedelic arrangements with a SoCal edge, Inner Wave sits in the same lane. These artists favor warmth over volume, small melodic surprises over big drops, and a home-recorded feel that still lands live. The crossover works because the crowds listen closely and dance when the rhythm section leans forward. Expect similar pacing, with patient builds and crisp, simple hooks that linger after the show.