#amcltvinterview

Sunday, August 17th, 2014

We met up with upcoming ska band, Manantial De Fuego at the popular Yost Theater on Sunday evening. Having a chance to headline for the night was an honor for the band. Here's what they had to say. Interview is shortened to the Qs & As only. Q: So what would you guys describe your style as?

A: "We have a lot of fusion. Rock and roll mixed with like, salsa, cumbias, ska, you know, a lot of, um, love songs in a way [the band laughs], love hate relationships. A lot of those two things are found in our lyrics. So yeah, we're a Latin band that plays rock."

Q: You guys mix those styles, I have to say that it's a very unique combination. What made you guys choose those specific styles and blend them? How exactly did you guys manage to blend them, a few of those genres are quite different from each other. I'm assuming it could have been a bit difficult to get those styles to flow together well.

A: "I think that that is exactly it, that um, 'We need something new, we gotta push forward' idea. We just decided to try different combinations of things until we found something that worked for us."

Q: So you're saying that you guys have had a different sound before with different genres. Does this mean that the band went through a trial and error phase to get where you are today?

A: "You know what, yes! We have because sometimes when we write the song and we play it a certain way the first time, afterwards we like 'No, we gotta make it different. This isn't good enough.' So, that's when we decide we gotta make some adjustments. Also, it's the audience and the crowd that we pay attention to. How they react to certain songs. So it is the crowd that has been guiding us to our sound, to what Manantial De Fuego is now. It's the feedback that we get from the audience."

Q: Besides the audience, what else has helped shape the sound of the band? Knowing that the LA music scene is what helped bring you guys up, are there any local bands that you guys look up to in particular?

A: "Unfortunately, we did not have a great experience with other local artists. We had a bad experience, which is why we decided to focus on this kind of music. We had a confrontation with a ska band, that, well, they were not good at what they were doing. So we decided that we were gonna show them how to do it."

Q: Payback, then?

A: "Yes, kind of like that. [chuckles] But we respect them, we respect them. We had some difficulties in a show a couple years ago. Which is why we decided to go on the path we are on today."

Q: So you guys had your first album out in 2011. Was this a long time coming, or how long before had MDF formed?

A: "It's kind of funny, you see, we started with metal, we were a metal band! We started with different styles and then we broke up around '07, we had some problems, you know, like everybody, but maybe around 2009 is when we all united and that's when we each brought more styles in."

Q: What brought you guys back together?

A: "What it is, I think, is that need that we all have to play music. And you know what, I think it's also that we can't see the band with other members, you know? We have to see each other in that same band."

Q: Do you think that the sound is unique to the people in the band? For example, if you replaced a member, do you feel like it would change completely?

A: "Yeah most definitely. Everyone here has their own style to add to the band. We put our differences aside to make the music for the people who love the sound."

Q: So have you guys actually had to change people in the past?

A: "Yeah uh, we actually had a guitarist [everyone looks at their guitarist] leave us several times. [they laugh] What it really came down to was this family & brotherhood."

Q: How did you guys all meet?

A: "Man, this was back in '04, I would see this guy walking around high school with his glasses and long hair and I'd be like 'Ay, John Lennon!' Then later I went up to him and told him that I am serious playing music. Then he introduced me to Marco and we just started jamming!"

Check out their music, follow the link below.

Last week, The Raveonettes took some time to answer some questions we had for them. These are Sune Rose Wagner's answers. Q: Being musicians, is the lifestyle what you wanted? Anything you would change?

A:

"It's everything we wanted except maybe more time to actually write music. We've cut way back on our touring though, it gets a little stale ofter 10 years..."

Q: Which album/EP do you feel stands out the most between the rest?

A:

"I don't have a particular one. They're all special to me and symbolizes a certain time in my life, it's almost like a journal."

Q: Many dark themes can be found in the lyrics, where does this come from?

A:

"It comes from a dark mind. The songs are reflections of real life. I wish everything was nice and easy but I'm afraid it isn't so. I celebrate darkness [smiles]"

Q: Is there a specific message that you are trying to send out with your music, if so, what is it? A:

"No message only stories some people will relate to and feel a certain kinship with the music."

Q: Any new work or concert days?

A:

"Recording new album right now will be out a little later this year. Noisyand furious and at times soothing. No tour dates yet."

Q: Is there an artist you would completely love to tour with? Who and why?

A:

"I would love to tour with Dolly Parton. I cried 5 times during her performance at Radio City Hall in NYC, she's an amazing storyteller and a genius individual. I adore her so much."

Q: Have you ever toured with an artist that you thought you never would get a chance with? Who and why?

A:

"Depeche Mode. We did a US and European tour with them. We had no idea Martin Gore was a huge Raveonettes fan. He knew the words to more of our songs than we did. Crazy! We adore Depeche Mode and never in a million years did we expect to play with them and be friends with them. Sometimes life deals youa lucky hand I guess."

Q: Since the first studio album in 2003, how do you feel you have changed? Musically and as people.

A:

"Oh, we still kinda do the same as we did back then but obviously you grow as a writer and your perspective on things changes with the years but all inall we're still the same."

Q: Of all your albums and EPs, which one was you favorite to record? Why?

A:

"I loved recording Pretty In Black cause we did it in a residential studio in Upstate New York and it was so beautiful. We recorded in an old wooden church and at night we would drink wine and record songs in the so called sunset room. Floor to ceiling windows with a breathtaking view of the stormclouds moving in, very inspiring time."

Q: Do you feel a different vibe when touring in Denmark than when you tour in the US?

A:

"The venues in Denmark are very state-of-the-art. Amazing sounds systems, great catering and a joyous crowd. It's very clean. I can't really say thesame of the US venues [chuckles]."

Q: Where does the band's sound originate from? Any influences that transcend greatly into the music?

A:

"It's an amalgam of The Everly Brothers, Suicide, Jody Reynolds and Sonic Youth. You can also throw Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Ronettes and TheVelvet Underground in there."