Second Hand Rose / Cordelia & the Buffalo

In May 2013 Second Hand Rose signed with the Chinese indie company Modern Sky, vowing to take its ridiculous rollercoaster of emotions to its logical extreme. The band unleashed the much-anticipated Useless Rock concert in December, becoming the first mainland rock band to perform in the 4,000-seat, state-owned Workers’ Gymnasium. This feat alone shows the band’s contributions to the history of Chinese-language music as well as its successful efforts to introduce China’s masses and elites to “alternative culture.” The name Second Hand Rose comes from the notion that rock in China is a secondhand and imported endeavor; as such, the band’s song “Leading a Dabbling Life” devolves into a Chinese sing-along version of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal.

Cordelia Vizcaino is a Mexican American musician, singer-songwriter, and producer. She started singing at a young age and rapidly developed a keen ear for harmony, a strong passion for piano, a curiosity for guitar, and a knack for captivating her listeners. The Texas native draws her unique musical inspiration from Mexican Indian tribes and Native American cultures. Her love and admiration for their percussive instruments, flamboyant wardrobe, vibrant war paint, and feathered headdresses nurture her identity as a colorful musician. In 2011, she set out to find the perfect combination of musicians to give life to a fresh, unique new sound. She founded an indie/electronic rock band with Berklee students Yusuke Sato (guitar), Carlos Feitoza (keys), Diego Diaz (drums), Federico Masetti (bass), and herself (vocals, tambourine, and synths/keyboard). With these members, Cordelia & the Buffalo was born.