By José Gandue @Gandour
We have recently spoken quite frequently about the rock movement in Costa Rica. The truth is, as we've said on previous occasions, Everything that happens there, although some may see it as a minor phenomenon, we see it as a definitely interesting fact., Given the variety and quality of its representatives, on this occasion we bring up what a new proposal called Apple Cvlt Network. This band, led by Eva Red, could be described as having a dense, dark sound, with sonic references that can be linked to Anglo-Saxon legends like Bauhaus., Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure and others, where you can apply tags like shoegaze, darkpop, gothic and other adjectives with which any critic can complicate things when preparing their notes. Igual Red Apple Cvlt is a project worth getting to know and watching grow in its steady evolution. That's why we've invited Eva to answer a few questions to learn more about her proposal.
How would you describe Red Apple Cvlt to someone unfamiliar with your project?
Well, it's a musical project whose main inspirations are the occult and inner chaos. Musically speaking, Red Apple Cvlt is a dark, mellow, and highly harmonized musical offering.
Why this connection to the occult? What is it about it that attracts you?
It's something I've learned a lot from, something that has helped me grow internally. I'll keep the specifics to myself, but I can say it's part of my daily life. I'm speaking in general terms, since everyone has their own interpretation and perspective. Therefore, I want my music to be interpreted by everyone, not just from my point of view.
And to make it even more "mysterious," you write your lyrics in English... what is your intention in doing so in a language far removed from your closest audience?
It's practically a personal challenge. For as long as I can remember, I've written short stories, poetry, narratives, all in Spanish. When I started with music, all my compositions were in Spanish. Ironically, most of the artists I connect with write their lyrics in English, Italian, or German, so I thought «"Why not compose in English?". It's been quite challenging, since in Spanish you can create hundreds of metaphorical figures and complex, beautiful grammatical constructions, but when you translate them into English, it doesn't quite work the same way. Even so, I think I've managed to create something that comes close to my expectations.
What type of audience follows you right now?
Well, I'm not entirely sure. I do know that I've received a lot of support from the goth scene, not only in Costa Rica, but also in other Latin American and European countries. In any case, my music is for whoever falls in love with it, regardless of their "tribe," so to speak.
Excuse the ironic tone I'm about to use, but is there a Costa Rican "gothic scene"?
Heh heh. Well, yes. Costa Rica is a country with barely 5 million inhabitants, so you can imagine how small it is. Despite that, it's a pretty interesting scene (musically speaking) and one that's really gaining momentum right now. You'll be hearing more about what's happening here in the near future.
I like that optimism. How do you see what's been happening with rock music in your country? Do you feel part of that movement?
I hadn't even thought about feeling part of any movement. I think that will develop as the project progresses. For now, I'm enjoying that people are happy with my first material.
What are your immediate plans?
Right now I'm working on the "live" format of Red Apple Cvlt, to perform concerts here in my country, and possibly abroad. My bandmates at the moment are Louis XXIII on drums and Xavier Tenov on acoustic guitar, plus an external musician on electric guitar, my friend Pablo Arguedas, a virtuoso who will contribute his progressive sound to the upcoming live shows. They're all working hard and rehearsing so that together we can put on a great show. In addition to that, I'm continuing to work on the compositions for the next album.