[dropcap size=big]A[/dropcap] silver lining during this unprecedented time in history and social isolation will undoubtedly be the waves of new music to come out of it all. Some, like the corrido duet, Alan y Roberto, are wasting no time whatsoever, releasing what is sure to be the anthem of the times for paisas, foos, and tlacuaches alike.
Behold, El Corrido del Coronavirus.
The masterpiece of a song comes at us fast from the Arizona-based duo, Alan y Roberto Lara Meza, an up and coming brother duet by way of El Poblado 7, Los Mochis, Sinaloa.
“Things are really tense right now and people are panicking, I told my brother Roberto that we need to create a song that would unify our community and offer some motivation,” Alan tells L.A. Taco over a phone interview. The brothers say they wrote the song in two hours.
The bajosexto-dominated ballad is noticeably more positive than your standard corrido, a genre of Mexican folk music that usually is usually reserved to tell stories of drug trafficking or love lost. “Our song’s intention is a positive one because we wanted to offer some hope during these complicated times,” Alan continues.
The Sinaloan brothers identify their genre of music as a “dueto Sierreño Campirano de Rancho...con un toque moderno.” They grew up listening to Chalino Sanchez, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, and Los Tigres del Norte. In their own words, “Somos de la vieja escuela. (We are of the old school.)”
Alan y Roberto share that whatever money they collect through the royalties from streaming and the selling of this new song will go towards “buying basic necessities for those in need.”
While they have canceled all immediate tour dates due to the quarantine, they inform L.A. Taco that they plan on getting back on tour as soon as is it is OK to do so.
“We hope this song keeps people motivated because we understand that things are very serious right now, but we will get through it.”
--
Todo el mundo asustado por ese coronavirus el papel ya se acabado no hay arroz y frijol pinto el agua también empiezan a escasear no se agüiten todo pronto pasará
Las tiendas y restaurantes las escuelas y los bares todos cerraron sus puertas vale más estar alertas todos en casita en familia están pues la vida es corta y juntos hay que estar
Hay que darle tiempo al tiempo no hay que ponernos violentos al mal tiempo buena cara eso siempre sale vara oremos con fe eso nunca va a fallar la pandemia el señor pronto de tendrá
Hay que lavarnos las manos para si no contagiarnos también el desinfectante  para que el virus tú lo espantes tapa bocas usarlo en público ánimo que no panda el cunico 
Hay que unirnos como hermanos hay que echarnos bien la mano no olvidar a los abuelos lo más bello que tenemos ya sus pasos son lentos al caminar más conciencia para ellos al comprar
Han pasado cosas peores y salimos triunfadores somos guerreros de acero la adversidad venceremos el viento estos versos te los llevará Alan y Roberto presentes están
--
Everyone is scared
Because of Corona Virus
The toilet paper has finished
There is no rice or pinto beans
The water is starting to be scarce
But don’t worry, this too shall pass.
The markets and restaurants
The schools and the bars
Everyone has closed their doors
It’s better to stay alert
Everyone is home with their families
Life is short so let’s be close to those we love
Let’s give time some time
Let’s not get violent
In bad times we must show good face
That doesn’t cost much to do
Let’s pray with faith because that will never fail us
Editor for James Beard Award-winning L.A. TACO. Associate Producer for JBA-winning Las Crónicas Del Taco. Former restaurant scout for Jonathan Gold. Co-Author of "Oaxaca: Home Cooking From the Heart of Mexico (2019, Abrams) and "Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling" (2023, Abrams).
Plus, a party highlighting pan-African cuisine, a new Taiwanese cookbook by an awarded local from the San Gabriel Valley, and a Little Saigon food festival that starts tonight! Welcome back to Spot Check!
Growing up in Arleta with a first-generation family from El Salvador, Berrios admits that her family only embraced her career choice two years ago, after she started to win awards like “Young Funeral Director of the Year.” The 24-year-old works as the licenced funeral director and embalmer at Hollywood Forever cemetery. As a young person born in peak Generation Z, she's documented her deathcare journey on TikTok and has accrued more than 43K followers on the platform.
Michoacán-raised Rogelio Gonzalez slices the cuerito (the pig skin) in a checkered pattern to ensure a light crunch in each bite and utilizes every part of the pig, from the feet to the liver and intestines, which he binds together in a braid.
In three hours, D's Tipsy Tacos and her team passed out “roughly 100 plates” of tacos, burritos, rice, beans, nachos, and quesadillas to striking screenwriters and actors.
Almost every time I visit a property with landscaping issues, the problem starts with bad design: the wrong plants in the wrong place. Here's advice from a third-generation L.A. landscaper and noted taco expert.