By José Gandue @Gandour
Photo @alvarado_foto
It seems the era of supergroups has arrived in Bogotá's rock scene. In the spirit of experimentation that characterizes the curious and sometimes very confusing music scene of the Colombian capital, Interesting signs of unity are beginning to emerge between artists from different and established groups who decide to come together to break their routine. and invent fresh sounds, with the confidence that comes from experience. The latest example of this is I'm not a robot, a group formed by Andrés Cardona (Six Pedestrians), Pedro Rovetto (Superlithium), Santi Pineda (Silver Revolver/Telebit) and Ale Giuliani (Jorge Drexler/ Monsieur PerinéThis quartet has been performing very discreetly at various festivals around the city, almost operating as if they were initially going to act in secret, only to later explode with full force. They have just released an album called NS1R, A work that, if one listens to it repeatedly, may give the impression of simulating an expertise that, we imagine, would result from seeing Black Sabbath on vacation in these Latin lands taking native acids. What you hear over 25 minutes and 8 songs is a sonic heaviness full of psychedelic intentions, adapting in its own way the old concept of stoner rock, where in each recording one breathes, without falling into unnecessary tropicalisms, that continental wind that relates it to our borders. I'm Not a Robot is clearly Latino without needing to resort to ancestral sonic customs. There is something in the atmosphere (perhaps the local herbs that may have influenced the compositions) that distinguishes it from other rock projects in the area, making it sound unique and different, and that is appreciated.
Regarding the presentation of NS1R on digital platforms, We took the opportunity to talk with Cardona (vocals/guitar) To learn more about it:
Where did the need to create "I'm not a robot" come from?
It stems from the need to create, from scratch and with some experience in the industry, a new way to communicate what we do and what we dedicate ourselves to: music. It's about trying to give meaning to the vision we each had separately, in a space where capturing the band's spontaneity and energy was paramount. We let ourselves be captivated by that magic and started brainstorming lyrics and concepts, becoming even closer friends in the process. That's essentially what's appealing about this band: it awakens in us that naive joy of starting a band, not knowing what will happen, but being certain we have something really good on our hands.
How would you describe the sound of your band?
A chili pepper Molotov cocktail
A sound that's considerably heavier than what we've heard in your previous projects, isn't it?
Yes, we're big fans of similar artists, and what came out was something explosive, heavy, tasty, and with a lot of... feeling. A hodgepodge of the rest of our careers, clearly.
Is there a need to reclaim Rock in these times?
I don't know if I should claim rock as my own, as if it had some golden throne to claim. Where we come from, rock is dirty and honest, and it doesn't care about showing up at the party and hanging out at the bar while everyone else dances. Here, we headbang as hard as we dance, and sometimes we do both at the same time. Our thing is playing live, and that's how we recorded the album., plug and play And we left. That's how we want to present this band, something real. It's not a band of community manager.
Looking at the recording details, I see that they did everything in one take. Did that help them make the desired difference?
Absolutely. Playing in a real-world context forces you to be present and give your all, to react as a group instead of trying to shine as an individual, and it compels you to resolve issues using a focused musical language. It makes all the difference in the world, and I, personally, want to record like this again whenever possible.
How do you feel about the "Super Band" label they've given to I'm Not a Robot? Isn't it a heavy burden?
In a way, it's a compliment and does justice to the other bands. In that sense, we appreciate it, but of course, we're not getting carried away. We also know it's a way of explaining and marketing the whole thing, kind of like the packaging. I mean, if it were a trio, it would be the «power trio»"Or if we looked like models and did reggaeton, it would be a..." boy band. The truth is, its greatest value lies in the fact that it's a real band, and that message, though it might be overlooked on paper, is definitely what makes this a band and not just a side project. It's a real band.
How do you see the current Colombian rock scene?
Very good, I think important things are coming and several projects have emerged that are worth keeping an eye on: Spiders of Mars, Snake Mouth, Goulash, The Umbrella Society, Chameleon Skin, Brina Quoya, La Vent, Tequendama
Finally, what do you hope will happen with this first album from your band? What are your expectations?
We dream of touring and showing Latin America this rock and roll that made us who we are.