By José Gandue @Gandour
Many music journalists long to find these kinds of stories. Something that helps us break the routine, the kind that simply tells the typical tale of how some neighborhood friends got together because they liked a certain band, and from there they started creating songs, and then their songs became hits in their city, their country, and then their continent. We always want to hear the different story, the one we wouldn't even imagine by chance. And suddenly, thanks to the wonders of sleeplessness, you decide to check your email in the early hours of the morning and start reading a letter from a Mexican couple, Adriana Falcón and Miguel Bastida, who contacted you because they found your page through the review you did of a Peruvian group and tell you that they are based in Hong Kong And between the two of them they have an electronic rock band that has recorded its first album in Taiwan. The album has been released under the name of Portraits And in a few weeks they'll release a remix EP of that work. Yes, that's right. They tell you they go by the name of Deer, It all started with a photo they took of a deer sculpture that captivated them. They've toured much of the Far East and have never performed in their own country.
The conversation takes place thirteen hours apart. While Adriana, who is answering my questions, is already resting from her lunch, I am three hours away from seeing the sunrise. Here comes the dialogue between a night owl and a woman who tells me how she and her partner have survived by playing rock music thousands of kilometers from their hometown:
What were they doing in Hong Kong? Why did they end up living there?
I'm an ethnomusicologist specializing in China, trained at El Colegio de México and UNAM. I came here to do a doctorate. Miguel is my partner, and he moved here. Living here on our own, we've done a lot of things. But that's how we started the band and began composing.
Did the band form in Hong Kong? What musical experience did they have previously?
Miguel studied composition at the music faculty in Mexico. He also worked as an accompanist and enjoys chamber music in general. I dedicated myself to research and chamber music as well. In Hong Kong, we learned to compose rock and electronic music. It's not easy. It's completely different from classical music.
Where did the interest in making rock music come from?
I always listened to all kinds of music at home, and the same goes for Miguel. I've been a music lover all my life.,
But something in particular must have happened for him to get involved in the matter while he was there, right?
Classical music is difficult to perform. Unless you compose for your own instrument, it's unlikely that orchestras and musicians will be interested in playing new works. They want to make money, not support new composers. Playing popular music is more accessible. Currently, electronic instrument technology allows Miguel and me to play four sections.
How would you describe the sound of Deer?
As a duo that makes alternative music with electronic means. Always free and honest.
In their music, do you feel it's music made in Asia, or does it not matter where they're based?
Currently, music in Asia or Hong Kong isn't very developed or open. It's quite homogeneous and monotonous, perhaps due to its particular history and politics. On the other hand, Mexico is very rich in musical culture, but its industry is monopolized and not very adventurous. I don't see our music fitting in anywhere. Perhaps that's why it seems so difficult to define and even understand musical trends these days. It's part of globalization, maybe.
What is a Deer live show like?
It's always conceived as an inner journey; I always think of it as a story told in chapters. Some are explosive, others more introspective, but always coherent. And we also love to say that it's always with a lot of feeling, because that's the most Mexican thing I've discovered about myself. There are never any half measures.
And how is all of that received by the public?
In Asia it's rare, and even more so in China, where sentimentality is considered decadent in art. So they find it strange that my voice sometimes cracks almost to the point of tears in some songs.
Sounds like a tough crowd…
It is, although they have gradually opened up. However, Malaysia and Taiwan have responded incredibly well. Eastern Russia was also great. They connect faster.
Have you already had the opportunity to play in Mexico?
Unfortunately not. We've wanted to go back, but it's very difficult. The ticket prices are incredibly high, but we're dying to be there.
What are Deer's next plans?
Well, on October 12th, if I remember correctly, we released a remix album of our debut EP. Then in November we're going to a festival in Denmark and doing some shows. And at the beginning of next year, we'll release an album that I hope you'll like because they're songs we've been working on for a long time.