By José Gandue @Gandour
Sometimes the desire to explore new music leads us down unexpected paths, rather winding routes where we can discover a number of sounds we never imagined. When one navigates through Bandcamp, On this platform, which we often discuss at Zonagirante.com, we're exposed to hearing just about anything. And when I say anything, broaden your expectations and feel that things can go much further. In this case, it's as if we had rotated a library globe and suddenly stopped it by putting our finger right on Uruguay, above Paysandú, a city of less than eighty thousand inhabitants. Thus, driven by an experimental and curious spirit, we ended up discovering the particular noise of a seventeen-year-old boy named Manuel Tenchio, who has just presented his new work entitled 004 Sigh – Tm Stutter, which, within our sense of attraction towards what sounds, we might dare to describe like a kind of explosion of analog and digital sounds that cause a pleasure that borders on schizophrenia and contemporary suffocation. Note, contrary to what one might think, This description attempts to describe the strange but effective pleasure we have felt while listening to this material. Yes, it's strange to suggest to readers that they listen to something that might unsettle them, perhaps even drive some to despair, but therein lies the magic of this work, which contains an unusual brilliance and a discourse we can't afford to ignore. That's why we contacted Tenchio and talked to him to find out what lies within his unique world and what else we can expect from him.
Tell me something about yourself first. All I can find in your description is that you're 17 years old and have a dog or two with you.
Hahaha, yes, dogs are a big part of my life. It's been pretty bearable, or at least that's what I've convinced myself of. Even so, I can't escape the cliché of being the "weird kid" in every group, perhaps particularly because I'm on the autism spectrum.
On a daily basis, in addition to music, I spend my time drawing, and those two activities roughly constitute my day.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it?
First of all, I'd tell her not to listen (laughs), I'm a little embarrassed. But if the conversation continued, I'd say something like, "Anime music playing while your PC is breaking down."«
What is the manufacturing process like?
Quite unorthodox. I compose while I record; there's not much planning beforehand. In fact, there's a certain element of improvisation. I generally only have a very vague idea of the "vibe" of a song and try to capture it as faithfully as possible (which I almost never manage), building it little by little each day.
What inspires you?
Specifically, Japan and my dogs
Japan? What do you find in Japan that you can't find in Paysandú?
Absolutely everything I consider artistically valuable. I find discipline in the work, identity in self-expression, complexity, creativity, and a specific aesthetic that resonates deeply with me.
Have you thought about performing your music live?
I've thought about it, yes. But every time the idea crosses my mind, I remember that it's impossible to do it on my own, that I'd be terrified to be alone on stage, and that I'd feel incredibly narcissistic if I had a band with me (besides, just talking to people to make it happen would be quite difficult).
And if you did, how would you imagine that presentation?
A failure, I'd probably hate myself by the end.
What was your goal in releasing your album?
As with the previous four or five, not much more than the satisfaction of having finished something, conceptually.