the luna blues machine
feel-good rhythms, tight harmonies and charismatic hooks
Upcoming Shows
10/21 - LBM Duo @ Chicago Public Library - Garfield Ridge Branch • 6348 S. Archer Ave, Chicago 1pm 4pm • FREE
10/28 - LBM Duo's Virtual Moonlit Session on Facebook Live • 7pm
The Luna Blues Machine:
Belinda Cervantes - mandolin, vocals
Maritza Cervantes - classical guitar, vocals
John "Hippie" Germinaro - bass
jamming currently with
Barry Bennett - drums
News
The Luna Blues Machine Receives Individual Artists Program Grant from DCASE
June 20, 2023
The Luna Blues Machine has received an Individual Artists Program grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The grant will help fund LBM's future Moon Lit Sessions, a live online performance series.
The Luna Blues Machine Tiny Desk Submission
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.