Ani Cordero created and fronted a new bilingual indie-rock band in Tucson, Arizona in early 1999. She borrowed members of Tucson’s Calexico and Giant Sand and called the group by her Puerto Rican family name, Cordero.


By 2000, Ani had moved to New York City and reformed the band with her husband, music/art star, Chris Verene (formerly of Merge Records’ The Rock*A*Teens and D.Q.E. ) and a revolving backing band that boasted members Eric Biondo (Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra) Jon Petrow (Cloud Room, Gachupin), Lynn Wright (Gachupin, James Hall), F.A. Blasco (Interpol, Slow Whitey) and Paul Watson (Sparklehorse).  Cordero eventually cemented the line-up by adding the sensitive horn and dramatic keyboard playing of Omar Akil (nephew of hit songwriter Frankie Lymon) and melodic and danceable bass playing of Eric Eble (Reid Pailey Trio).