Home · Artists · La Mosca Tsé-Tsé

Buenos Aires, Argentina · 1995–2004, 2008–present

La Mosca Tsé-Tsé

The Tsetse Fly, commonly known as The Fly, is an Argentine band renowned for their fusion of genres such as ska, cumbia, merengue, tango, pop, rock, and salsa. Their musical style reflects romantic experiences, with lyrics that blend cheekiness and passion. Although the current lineup solidified in March 1995, their roots trace back to the early 1990s with the group La Reggae & Roll Band, which performed covers and some original tracks in the Ramallo region. During this time, other bands emerged, including Damas Gratis, led by Guillermo Novellis.

The story of La Mosca began after the dissolution of Damas Gratis in 1995. Fernando Castro, the drummer of La Reggae & Roll Band, invited Guillermo Novellis to join as a guitarist. Unable to find a suitable vocalist, Pablo "Chivia" Tisera, the band’s trumpeter, suggested Guillermo take on the role of singer. With the return of Pety Cortagerena, the guitarist who had left the group, the band was finally formed. Guillermo proposed changing the name to "La Mosca" to distance themselves from their predecessors, inspired by a popular card game in his hometown. However, when they tried to register the name in 1996, they discovered it was already in use, so they added "tsé-tsé," a nod to the African fly, reflecting their musical style.

1 Albums
12 Songs

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1 album|s · 2001

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Biography

In December 1995, they performed at an event in Ramallo alongside artists like Pappo and Alcides. After persistently convincing the organizers, they secured a spot in the show, which proved to be a significant career boost. During the summer of 1995–1996, the band prepared to record a demo but lacked the funds, leading them to play in local bars and pubs to raise money. Their dedication and intensive rehearsals allowed them to record and mix four tracks in just twelve hours.

After creating cassette copies and sending some to Buenos Aires, Chivia received a contract offer from Data Pop Rock, a small record label that was also working with La Zimbabwe Reggae Band at the time. They signed the contract on April 8, 1996, and within days, moved to Buenos Aires to record their first album with all expenses covered.

However, in October 1996, the band faced uncertainty due to the financial situation of Lagash, their record label. During one of their trips to the capital, Chivia’s sister, Marcela, introduced them to Santiago Ruiz, who advised them to be patient and wait for a favorable resolution. The band continued performing and saving money until, in April 1997, they successfully severed ties with Lagash and retained the rights to their album, ready for release.

Despite having material that appealed to record labels, they failed to secure any contracts. Undeterred, in mid-1997, they launched an independent promotion strategy in Rosario, led by Carlitos Chagui as their press agent, which helped them gain visibility on the city’s main radio stations. La Mosca Tsé-Tsé’s perseverance in their quest for a place in the Argentine music scene stands as a testament to their passion for music and their desire to connect with audiences.

Details

Born
1 Jan 1995
Country
🇦🇷 Argentina
Genre
Ska

Members

founder · actual
Guillermo Novellis

Record labels

EMI

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