By José Gandue @Gandour
Sometimes love has positive results. The story goes something like this: Two figures from the Chilean music scene, Nicole L'Huiller and Juan Necochea, former members of such striking projects as Condor Jet y Kibun Picnic, They fall in love and start making music together. She's accepted into a Media Arts & Sciences program at the prestigious MIT, and Juan, without hesitation, decides to accompany her, also aiming to shape his new musical project called Breaking Forms. Since then, despite being a pair of unknowns in adverse territory, they have released two finely crafted EPs simply titled One y Two, Exquisite examples of electronic pop with new wave roots that impress with their elegant construction and tender rebelliousness. Make no mistake: There's no saccharine sentimentality or cotton candy excess here. This is the good taste of contemporary pop at its most favorable essence. This is Breaking Forms in interview format:
What is Breaking Forms about?
Juan: Breaking Forms is an expression of love between Nicole and me. It's a play space where we collaborate to create art together. We also use it to narrate our everyday adventures and stories.
What does the project sound like?
Juan: The sound of Breaking Forms is a mix of synths, guitars, love, space, and arpeggiated galaxies.
Did the project originate from the relationship between the two of them, or rather (to get a little sentimental) did Breaking Forms, after its formation, help to solidify them as a couple?
Nicole: It's been wonderful to find each other through music, as a space for co-creation and dialogue. The project was born after we started working together.
Is the project what makes them move from Chile to the United States?
Nicole: No, we came to the United States because I came to study for a master's degree. Right after we arrived, we released our first album and started playing gigs here.
What changes have you noticed between your musical experiences in Chile and what you are experiencing in Boston?
Nicole: We've experienced several changes, and the situations are quite different. Once we arrived in Boston, it was (and still is) a lot of work to connect with the local scene and meet other musicians. In Santiago, on the other hand, we already had this more established as a daily routine. It's been interesting to have this challenge of understanding a completely different context and managing to build something here as well.
Do people who have seen them in the United States see them as strange creatures from the end of the world, or does the exoticism not extend to that point?
Juan: Hahaha… the truth is no.
What is the live experience of Breaking Forms like? What role does each member play on stage?
Juan: There are two of us on stage. Nicole sings the 98% of everything and moves backing tracks, synths and her loops; I play guitar and manage my guitar loops (sometimes I sing, but not much).
How is the Chilean music scene viewed from Boston?
Juan: The Chilean music scene stands on its own two feet. It's been interesting to see here in Boston how many virtuoso and talented musicians are playing the same old music. I think in Chile there's a very creative music scene with its own distinct voice. Locally, in Boston, we haven't been able to find such a clear voice. Perhaps we just need more time, who knows?.
Nicole: We've stayed in close contact with our friends in Chile and we see them continuing to grow and create. We've also been close to friends who live outside of Chile. Our first gig in Boston was with Francisca Valenzuela, for example. It was really cool.
After releasing these EPs over two years, what's next for you in the future?
Nicole: We plan to release a new EP in December and another one at the beginning of 2018. In between, we'll also release some videos and continue working on new music. The idea is to constantly release material and explore new things.
Finally, does the way music is made change outside of Chile?
Juan: I believe that the context in which one finds oneself always influences what one creates as art. Boston is very different from Santiago, in every way. For me, it has been a different experience in composing and in engaging with music.
Nicole: We have also learned many things and that always feeds our creative processes.
