By José Gandue @Gandour Photos by Bárbara Reyes and Jorge López
Čadca is a small city in Slovakia, with an estimated population of 24,315 at the end of 2017. The vast majority of us (including the author of this article and readers throughout Latin America) were unaware of the existence of this city, located in the heart of Europe, until today. If it weren't for the fact that the Chilean/Argentine duo will be performing there next... Infinite Ice Cream, We wouldn't have known about it if it had been during one of the stops on his constant world tour. They, Loreta Neira and Victor Siete, who currently reside in Bratislava, continue to travel the world and plan each of their dates in the old continent day by day., just as they did in their time for our hemisphere. As they board the appropriate means of transport and arrive at the venues where they perform, they meet new artists and build a new audience, regardless of the fact that their songs remain in Spanish., and that their songs have a very personal, very particular tenderness, which is gradually solidified as they rack up miles on the journey and stamps in their passports. Loreta answers us from Čadca, warning that her phone battery might run out, so we have to hurry:
How many countries have they visited on this ongoing musical/romantic tour of Helado Infinito?
21! There are already 21 countries in total. Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, England, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria.
What made them decide to settle in Slovakia?
The first time we went to Bratislava to play, in March 2017, we received a really great reception. The venue was packed, and we met some wonderful people, including Sasha, a Russian musician who offered to help us if we wanted to return. When the idea of going back to Europe came up, we contacted him, and he was a huge help with our summer tour. We became very good friends with him; he joined us for part of the tour, and then, when we thought about extending our stay in Europe because things were going so well, we took him into account: we had him as a friend, we like the city, we've had great success there, and it also seemed like a good base for further travel because it's quite central, allowing us to easily get around to gigs. It's a super friendly and beautiful city, in our opinion. It's been incredibly kind to us, and we're very grateful. More than a decision, it was an opportunity that presented itself, and we embraced it.
How do you envision a tour? Is it something that happens on a day-to-day basis or is there some planning involved?
Right now, this is our life. The beginning of the tour was more 'classic': coming as a band to play festivals and trying to get around to playing as much as possible within our visa time. Then, when we decided to stay a while longer, touring became more our routine, our job, basically what we do every week. It's wonderful to be able to make a living playing music, but that also involves a lot of office work. Every morning we have to be sending and answering emails, checking maps, checking transportation, paying for tickets, etc. It's a wonderful job, but it's a job nonetheless. It involves planning, exhaustion, and, of course, many wonderful rewards.
How do you present a project unknown to the vast majority, especially when singing in a distant language?
We don't question that much. I think that here, at least, where we're performing (mostly Eastern Europe), people are very surprised (in a good way) that we come from so far away. They're curious. They love Spanish, and they also love that we're interested in learning from them, in getting to know their places and their languages. In general, they really like what we do, and the music speaks for itself, so people end up understanding it anyway. That's the beauty of music.
Does the music change during the trip? In other words, do the songs evolve along the way?
Yes, very much so. The songs are constantly asking for changes. That's the beauty of playing all the time: the project needs to evolve, it needs to renew itself. The songs find other songs that work better with them, and obviously, by listening to new musicians and new music, the songs are exploring new paths. We also look for new ways to play them. That's always more fun for us, and it helps us grow.
Tell me a little about the new recording, is it a split?
Yes, it's a collaboration with our great friend Pitucardi. We are great admirers of his work and that's why, despite the distance, we liked the idea of being able to continue collaborating with him. Precipice, The first song is ours, and we wanted her voice to be featured. She also participated here in Bratislava. Sasha Mamaev, A Russian musician and friend, and he recorded a bass and saxophone track for him. It also features percussion by Juan Martínez, a Chilean friend.
I'm fine It's a Pitucardi track on which we collaborated with lyrics, vocals, and trumpet. We've had this track saved for about three years, so it was time to release it.
What does Infinite Ice Cream sound like today?
We think it sounds more and more like Helado Infinito, and that makes us really happy! If you're wondering what that sound is, we think it's fresh, cheerful, and friendly. We try to make it reflect the journey, the movement, the learning, the doubt.
What's coming up for you these days?
Luckily, we have no shortage of work here! We have to keep playing in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia. Something special that makes us very happy is that we were invited to open for the launch of their new album. Gonsofus, A Russian/Hungarian duo whom we admire and love very much. The concert will be in a beautiful venue in Bratislava, and we're thrilled to have that opportunity. We're preparing a special show for that day. Also, as always, we're continuing to compose and record. We're working on some songs that will be released very soon.
