the luna blues machine
feel-good rhythms, tight harmonies and charismatic hooks
Upcoming Shows
1/11 - LiTTLE LUNAS @ Vernon Area Library
300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire, IL • 11am-12pm
The Luna Blues Machine:
Belinda Cervantes - mandolin, vocals
Maritza Cervantes - classical guitar, vocals
with
John "Hippie" Germinaro - bass
Luna Blues News
Band Biography
The Luna Blues Machine is a Chicago based acoustic hip-hop, Latin, folk-soul band fronted by sisters Belinda and Maritza Cervantes. Founded in 2001, the LBM first started performing at Subterranean's Open Mic Night, cultivating their own unique sound.
The LBM won Underground Wonder Bar's Battle of the Bands in 2006 and participated in the Great Performers of Illinois for two consecutive years in 2006 and 2007.
Their self-titled debut studio album was released in 2009.
LBM was featured as "The Hardest Working Band in Chicago" in Gozamos online magazine in 2010 and in WGN's Adelante Chicago as part of Hispanic Heritage Month in 2011.
In 2012, their single Roots Run Deep was included as part of the Ten x Ten Project, a collaboration between visual artists and musicians throughout Chicago. That year LBM also performed at Howard Zinn's The People Speak, Live! held at The Metro.
The Luna Blues Machine had the honor of playing at the Gathering of Nations Powwow and Miss Indian World Pageant in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2013 and 2015 which sprouted their latest live album.
They were named the winners of Moe's Tavern's Battle of the Bands in March 2017.
In 2020 they released their single I Can Do It and were accepted into the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events' Chicago Band Roster.
Most recently The Luna Blues Machine was featured on WTTW's Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices.
The Luna Blues Machine has had the pleasure of playing the following Chicago venues: The Taste of Chicago, Navy Pier, The Chicago Riverwalk, The Chicago Cultural Center, The Hideout, Cubby Bear, Reggie's, Maxwell Street Market, The Elbo Room, Goose Island, The Hot House, Subterranean, Moe's, Red Line Tap and the legendary Underground Wonder Bar.
Today The Luna Blues Machine continues to be a staple in Chicago's music scene. Their timeless music is still attracting new fans and keeps old fans coming back for more.
Videos
Discography
Ruff 'n' Uncut: Live at the Crib
2004
Ladies Only: Live @ 3030
2005
The Full Effect: Live @ 3030
2005
The Luna Blues Machine
2009
Ten x Ten - Compilation CD
2012
Live at the Gathering of Nations
2014
I Can Do It - Single
2020
Press
Gozamos.com
Interview: The Luna Blues Machine
"...LBM has fuzed together all their influences into a uniquely, authentic and empowering new trajectory for musical performance."
WBEZ -Chicago Public Radio
Radio M w/ Tony Sarabia
"...some really nice stuff...beautiful sounding to my ears."
The Gate News
Back of the Yards: Forefront for Local Music Group Luna Blues Machine
"...a band that's dynamically talented and charismatic..."
The Ranger News
Why You Need The Blues
"...delivered with a sincere mystique...a great blend of funk, feminine energy and passionate music...will always leave a listener wanting more."
Past Experience
Special Events
3rd Annual Latinos Homeschool Conference, Chicago, IL '24
Sounds of the Riverwalk, Chicago, IL '21
Latinos Homeschooling Conference, Virtual '21
South Haven Riverfront Concert Series, MI '19
Miller Lite Beer Garden at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL '18
Gathering of Nations Powwow, Albuquerque, NM '15
Global Activism Expo, Chicago, IL '13
Howard Zinn's The People Speak, Live! Chicago, IL '13
Great Performers of Illinois, Chicago, IL '06 &'07
Festivals
Taste of Chicago Pop-up '23
Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest '23
Maxwell Street Market's Dia de Los Muertos Celebration '22
Peacetree Music Festival, Kenosha '18 & '22
Taste of Chicago '17
Edgefest, Chicago '17
Mole de Mayo, Chicago '17
Villapalooza, Chicago '12
World Music Festival, Chicago '10
Awards and Recognition
DCASE Individual Artists Program Grant '23
WTTW's Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices '22
Chicago Band Roster '20
Battle of the Bands Winner - Moe's Tavern '17
Battle of the Bands Winner - Underground Wonder Bar '06
Chicago's Very Own - WGN Adelante Chicago '11
Radio Play
Somebody Else's Troubles - WLUW 88.7 FM
The 21st Show - Illinois Pubic Radio
Domingos en Vocalo - Vocalo 91.1 FM
One More Good Idea - WCPT 820 AM
MusicVox - WBEW 91.1 FM
Radio M - WBEZ 91.5 FM
Chicago Sound Alliance - WLUW 88.7 FM
Eutopia.FM - Que4Radio.org
Chicago Is The World - WHPK 88.5 FM
Contact
Book us for your next party, wedding, fundraiser, festival or any special event!