Above: Vanessa Acosta (vocals/trumpet), Menchie Caliboso (bass/production), and Andrew Dickson (guitar/production).
Based in Los Angeles/Long Beach, Bootleg Orchestra is a trio that creates electronic/soul music as a soundtrack for collective and personal transformations occurring in the growing anti-imperialist and anti-fascist movement. As cultural workers, Bootleg Orchestra chooses to continue the path of creating and releasing music because of its value in educating listeners on community issues, advocating for community-led campaigns, and inspiring listeners to create change through organized community-based action.
Drawing influences from electronica, R&B, and jazz, Bootleg Orchestra released their first full-length album, MAKIBAKA, on August 27, 2021. The album reflects their lived duality of organizing in the community and serving the people while working through their own personal journey of healing. In the past, they have shared the stage with Ruby Ibarra, Tiffany Gouche, Sylvan Esso and Gallant, and Talib Kweli.
In May 2024, Bootleg Orchestra collaborated with Roger Rigor of the iconic Filipino disco band VST&Company to create a song and documentary that highlights the role of music and cultural work in movements for social and environmental justice. This was premiered at the Los Angeles Asian-Pacific Film Festival hosted by Visual Communications Media.
When not creating music or organizing in the community, the three are changing lives through their own expertise: Acosta through holistic health, Caliboso through data analytics/science, and Dickson through law.