Los Pinguos

Los Angeles-based (by way of Buenos Aries) collective Los Pinguos blend the rhythms of their Argentinean homeland with flamenco-style guitar and Beatlesque pop chops. Formed in 1999 around the talents of Adrián Buono, José Agote, Juan Manzur, and Juan Manuel Leguizamón to play local parties and bars, the group developed into a local phenomenon. In 2001 they relocated to the "City of Angels" where they landed an end-of-season party gig for the Fox television show Dharma & Greg. Heavy gigging and insider exposure brought them to the attention of producers from the Star Search spinoff The Next Big Star, which they ended up winning. Bass player Santiago Lee was added to the mix that same year, and the newly minted quintet inked a deal with Peermusic. They have since released four albums, including Camino Bueno, Serenata, Live in Los Angeles, and 2006's Peripecias.