Begun as an art project among friends in 2009, evolving ensemble The Mariachi Ghost weaves fusion elements, prog rock and operatic four-part harmonies inspired by Mennonite choirs and foundational old Mexico sounds. Founder Jorge Requena Ramos, son of a choir teacher, emigrated from Mexico over 15 years ago. He met lead guitarist Rafael Reyes, whose Salvadoran dad used to play along to American rock albums – a match that ensured the musical traditions of their countries, plus a mutual love of The Mars Volta and Pink Floyd, would have the strongest imprint on The Mariachi Ghost.

Like all good collective art projects, The Mariachi Ghost expands beyond music, dressed in colourful embroidered mariachi suits, with half their faces painted as calakas (traditional Mexican Day of the Dead skeletons), and spectral dancing incorporated into their shows. It all clicked, with the band winning a Western Canadian Music Award for Best World Music Album for their self-titled debut album. Since then, they’ve continued to explore Mexican tales, the Latin American magical realism era and current social issues.

— Mary-Lynn Wardle