Spotlights‘ Mario Quintero answers some questions from Soundsphere’s Dom Smith about forthcoming shows with Mr Bungle, creative inspirations and much more!
How are you feeling about these UK shows?
We’re thrilled to finally be playing in the UK! Especially happy to have headline shows as well as support so we can give fans a full set.
What is motivating you creatively at the moment – outside of music, think specific people, places and films for example?
Personally, I’ve been really inspired by training Jiujitsu again. There’s something so beautiful about the precision and creativity of the gentle violence in that art. It’s complete and total meditation for me.
Musically, I’ve been digging back into old jazz records. Right now favorites are Art Blakey-Moanin and Oliver Nelson-Blues and the Abstract truth. Also, Miles Davis soundtrack for ascenseur pour l’échafaud.
What have been the greatest challenges the band has faced over the last year?
We’re lucky to not have many challenges as a band right now. WE all have a very realistic approach to being in this band, and do what we have to to make it as easy as possible for us to do what we do. Of course, it’s not easy being a band at this level trying to make ends meet but we all have other jobs where we can make it work, until we can go back out on tour.
I actually fell in love with you via your Radiohead ‘All I Need’ cover, and then discovered everything else from there – how do you look back at 2020 and that period for the band now?
Those were some strange times. It was hard to be motivated and creative. That’s why we made those covers. It was an easy way to stay productive without having to write anything new. I’m glad things are back to almost normal!
I’ve always been a fan of your artwork and visuals too – can you tell me how important those aspects are to you as a band?
Thanks! I’d say it’s very important. We always want the art to represent the music and vice versa. I want people to see the album and get a feel for what the music might sound like.
Similarly, even further back…how do you look at where you were as a band when ‘Seismic’ came out?
Things were very different. Sarah and I made that album mostly on our own. We had already decided Chris would be our drummer, but it was very much a transition period for the band. We toured with The Melvins for three months on that album and 68 out of 80 shows were done without a drummer. That was strange, but I’m glad we did it. We learned a lot that year.
How do you feel ‘Alchemy For The Dead’ pushed you in new ways as artists?
We set out to push ourselves to do something different. Our goal was to not repeat ourselves and I think we achieved that. I know that from now on we will probably continue to use that as a motto for upcoming albums. We learned a lot about new ways of working together too.
You’re going out with Mr Bungle soon, and coming to the UK – how are you looking forward to those shows?
We can’t wait! We played a handful of shows with them here in the States and they were amazing. We love all those guys and it’s always a pleasure to be around such incredibly talented humans.
Is there anything I’ve missed that you’d like to plug before we finish up?
Check out our other band! – Sisters!
Is there a message for your UK fans, and supporters around the world?
Come to the shows!!! We wish we could play every city in the UK and EU but it’s just not possible this time so please realize we’re coming from very far away to play, so hopefully folks in towns we are not hitting will travel to come see us.
