Mosquita is a song by the Americanrock band, Tantric. Mosquita was released August 13, 2013 as the lead single from their fifth studio album 37 Channels. The song featured guest appearances by Shooter Jennings, Kenny Olson, Kevin McCreery, Greg Upchurch and Gary Morse.[5][6]
The track was made available on the streaming platform YouTube on August 8, 2013, coinciding with the announcement of their new album 37 Channels and also marks the first release under with new their new label, Pavement Entertainment.[7][8]
The release of "Mosquita" came during a transformative period for the band, following constant lineup changes and a years worth of studio sessions with various different instrumental artists, leaving lead singerHugo Ferreira to the sole creative force behind the song's creation and production. At the time Ferreira was in the studio recording Mosquita he was the sole remaining member of the band and currently was only working with a touring band, however, while in the studio recording Ferreira was able to recruit Shooter Jennings to make a guest appearance on the track, Jennings providing backing vocals for the song's chorus. Ferreira was also able to secure guest appearances on the track from various musicians across the rock and metal spectrum that included Kid Rock guitarist Kenny Olson, Uncle Kraker guitarist Kevin McCreery, 3 Doors Down drummer Greg Upchurch, and steel guitar player Gary Morse.[9][10]
Content
In a interview with Johnny Newsome from Unsung Melody,Ferreira stated Mosquita was intentionally crafted with a blend of influences and a tribute to classic rock legends, revealing he added a deliberate nod to Queen's iconic track "Another One Bites The Dust." Ferreira, a lifelong Queen fan, integrated a subtle homage into the pre-chorus of "Mosquita" as a personal tribute. He explained, "It was kind of like my little subtle way of putting a non-disrespectful tribute to that lick and just kind of hinting at it, then stepping away." This gesture was not only a reflection of his admiration for Queen but also an effort to introduce younger audiences to classic rock influences that might otherwise go unrecognized.[11]
The song also includes a collaboration with Shooter Jennings, adding a dynamic layer to the track and contributing to the album’s eclectic sound. Ferreira mentioned that he wrote approximately 120 songs during the creation of 37 Channels, allowing his creative process to flow organically without restricting genres or styles. This approach resulted in a record that showcased his varied influences and the "randomness" of his thought process, which he attributed to his multicultural upbringing and experiences in different regions of the world.[12][13][14]
Ferreira stated "Mosquita" embodies his vision of offering fresh yet nostalgic sounds to the modern rock scene, expressing concern about the state of contemporary music, noting that many platforms tend to "spoon feed people what they think they should be hearing" instead of providing a diverse array of musical styles. By incorporating tributes to artists like Queen and covering bands such as Fleetwood Mac in past records, Ferreira aimed to bridge the gap between classic rock and new listeners, preserving the legacy of influential music while contributing his own voice to the genre.[6]
Release
Although Mosquita was uploaded to YouTube and available to stream for free on August 8, 2013 to coincide with the announcement of the band's new album 37 Channels, it was not officially released as a single to stream on all major platforms or to purchase from the iTunes store and Amazon Music until August 13, 2013.[15][16]
Charts
"Mosquita" received limited airplay on rock radio stations but appeared on the charts one week in September 2013.[17]
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