Los Angeles-based rock band Halo Circus is singer Allison Iraheta (American Idol Season 8 finalist and fan favorite), bassist/producer Matthew Hager (Duran Duran, Scott Weiland, Simply Red), drummer Veronica Bellino (Jeff Beck, DMC of Run-D.M.C.) and guitarist Brian Stead. Halo Circus boasts infectious bilingual alternative rock with unique, powerhouse vocals that shimmer on the band's forthcoming debut album, due out in 2016.
Iraheta and Hager were kind of enough to send us a list of their 10 favorite Latin musical artists...
Julio Iglesias
Matthew: The father of Enrique and the inhabiter of cool. Anyone that could make women swoon like that and sing a duet with Willie Nelson is a friend of mine.
Julieta Venegas
Allison: She played at the very first concert I ever went to when I was little. I was mesmerized by her songs and accordion playing.
Zoé
Allison: The first time I heard them they sounded almost like a bilingual Beatles to me. They are an adventurous band. We could use more bands like this.
Los Lobos
Matthew: Being from Texas, it's hard not to think of Los Lobos as giants.
Maná
Allison: This band introduced me to rock en español. They represented a big part of my youth and rebellious years.
Juanes
Allison: Because who didn't have a crush on Juanes? Also, there was never a song of his you couldn't relate to.
Ritchie Valens
Matthew: Two words: "Oh, Donna."
Bebe
Allison: I think she's a brave lyricist.
José Feliciano
Matthew: I was introduced to him because, being white, we all were. Crossover appeal aside, "Feliz Navidad" and "Chico and the Man" were great songs.
Lola Beltrán
Allison: The queen of rancheras. She sang with so much passion and emotion. She always sounded like she was on the verge of a breakdown, yet she sang like the most beautiful bird in the world. There's no one like her.
