To some, Hong Kong's fetish for Latin American culture could be construed as overkill. From restaurants doing specially themed Latin menus to frequent salsa nights, the overexposure does not bode well for its sustainability.
But that has not stopped one local band from having high hopes about its future. The Montuno Nation, the current resident band at Mexican eatery La Placita, are confident that salsa is here to stay.
Michael Jonsson, the half-Latin American, half-Swedish founder of the Latin-tinged group, is not surprised Hong Kong has taken to the 'uplifting' music so well. But, he says, not all trends in the local Latin scene have been progressive.
'Spanish restaurants that have been open for five or six years, the first time I went they were playing Gypsy Kings, I go now and they're still playing Gypsy Kings. I mean, enough! There are other Latin bands . . . They're not even Spanish! They're French,' said Jonsson.
Jonsson is hoping to use the five-piece outfit to educate fans of Latin American music to the breadth of the genre. Naming the band Montuno Nation after montuno, a type of Latin accompaniment music, most of the songs in their repertoire are underpinned with a Latin beat. In addition, Jonsson on guitar hopes to add flamenco guitar-playing to their performances.
Until then however, the band is struggling to find its niche in this new late-night venue, which, Jonsson says, still does not have a 'crowd'. Known in the past for a Filipino mariachi band who could barely get themselves excited, let alone the audience, La Placita is recreating itself as the 'home of the Mexican fiesta'.
Jonsson and lead vocalist Beverly Rono admit that not everyone comes to La Placita to party, and performing for diners can occasionally be a daunting task.