Julio Reyes-Verano Alternativo

Orgullosamente regio-montano (de Monterrey), Julio Reyes se asegura de llevar un poquito de Mexico por donde quiera vaya, cosa que se puede notar en su vestimenta ya que suele utilizar siempre algo del color verde que le recuerde a su Mexico lindo. 

Proud to be from Monterrey, Julio Reyes makes sure to always bring a little bit of Mexico where ever he goes as he seeks to always have a little something green as a reminder of his beautiful country. 

Bionica: Tell me about style when it comes to clothes. 

Julio Reyes: You know, it's a little vintage. Today's outfit has an urban edge to it. My style has a lot to do with my music. The color green reminds me of Mexico so I always look for it. I'm wearing a little bit of Mexico, something vintage, something urban and that's exactly what my music is. It's Mexican, it's urban, it's funk, r&b… The name of the genre is regional alternative, so it's regional music fused with other things make up my musical identity. 

Bionica: What is it that makes your alternative music different from the regional?

Julio Reyes: Well, it's usually northern, or band music here in the US. In this case we are combining both the northern & band elements together. We're combining both of these Mexican folklores. We're adding electronica, funk, r&b and soul to put together a collage of different rhythms and that's what represents who I am. I came to this country when I was 17 and graduated from Berklee College of Music. This project allows me to express who I am and the experiences that I learned from including my risky beginnings in Mexican music, as well as my influences along the way. 

Bionica: Your music has a lot to say about heartbreak and experience yet you are so young. What inspired those songs?

Julio Reyes: I'm really not that young. The music, is what keeps all of us that dedicate ourselves to it young. I think it's more about the extreme romance in going through a loss that sets apart from today's songs where it's easier to change from one love to the next. The romanticism from the 60s & 70s, the romanticism from Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Juan Záizar, Tomás Méndez, Victor Cordero and the composers from that era was a hardened, at a certain point, it was a drunken love. And it had a strong need of tearing apart and we're trying to bring back that extreme romanticism and adapt it to newer, contemporary sounds. It's my hope that the new generations will appreciate these works of art that we are bringing back in these songs. 

Bionica: I heard Me Cansé de Rogarte (I Got Tired of Pleading) and to me it seems like a fusion of regional with r&b because I can hear the trombone, a little bit of the accordion but also a piano that I imagine to serve as a bridge between both genres. Was that intentional?

Julio Reyes: You are completely right. Me Cansé de Rogarte (I Got Tired of Pleading) is the first song that we have presented as a single because it expresses my project so well. It begins with a super soulful piano, then little by little you hear a beat like a tssst tssst which gives it an urban kind of feeling and it all starts to develop and come together. Then you hear a tuba followed by the metal instruments which fall into a new groove. It's the perfect presentation for this besides the song Ella (Her) which inspired Me Cansé de Rogarte (I Got Tired of Pleading) a very famous song by José Alfredo Jimenez. So we said, 'let's go with the most famous song on the album' and remake it in a soulful way with some r&b which has a lot to do with the music that I love as well. The other song that you can also hear from the album is Paloma Negra Parrandera (Black Party Bird) a collaboration with Chiquis Rivera, and it's on her album. It's got jazz and soul with a little bit of funk and then a whole band that comes in strong. It's something completely different from Me Cansé de Rogarte (I Got Tired of Pleading) yet it's still within the kaleidoscope of regional alternative.  

Bionica: You have a new album coming out. What's it called? When does it come out? What can we expect from it?

Julio Reyes: The title for the album is Mi Versión de un Clásico (My Version of a Classic). I put together all of the songwriters that have influenced me the most from the 60s & 70s along with their best songs and re-did 10 songs from that time. They began to develop with different collaborations as it is an album of duets with very important women in the industry. There is a duet with Amanditita who is huge in alternative rock in Mexico & Europe. We have a collaboration with Chiquis Rivera, one with Gloria Trevi, with La Santa Cecilia… They're people from very different genres and that's what gives more life to the project. It's no longer about following a certain pattern. It's about coming together as musicians and breaking down barriers as such–coming together in a project that has a lot of heart. 

Bionica: Which is your favorite song in the album and why?

Julio Reyes: Right now, the one that I like the most is No Volveré (I'm Not Coming Back), its a very old song <sings> 'I'm not, coming back, I swear to god that sees me…' Now it's 'I'm not, coming back, I swear to god that sees me upset and trembling.' So it's very soulful, cool 80s, r&b. 

I'm so happy that we are so open to play with these songs & recreate them. 

Bionica: As a singer and songwriter, what's your advice for those people that listen to you and want to be like you?

Julio Reyes: The bit of experience that I can pass on to those that want to dedicate themselves to this is to try to be 100% you. Don't do things because you want to find an audience that's going to accept them, but do the things that really move you and make you feel whole as an artist. Those things that you can defend once you're on stage. If you can't defend the music that you're doing, than it's probably not for you and you shouldn't be doing it. It takes a lot of us years to learn that lesson. I would say to really find your calling. 

Bionica: I feel that this is advice that not applies to music, but life as well. Do what makes you happy–because you want to...

Julio Reyes: Because you want to. What feels right in your heart, what you enjoy doing, what makes you smile.

Thank you so much Julio!!!

camisa: H&M, pantalones: Publish, botas:  Kelly Vera

shirt: H&M, pants: Publish, boots: Kelly Vera

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The Brand Phoenix

Maku Soundsystem-Verano Alternativo

This band signifies the beautiful unification of difference and cultures through music. Their unique sound will draw you in and have you fall in love with the magic that is MAKU Soundsystem.

Maku Soundsystem

Liliana Conde (vocals, percussion)

Juan Ospina A.K.A Prodigio Arribetiao (vocals, bass)

Camilo Rodriguez (guitar, gaitas)

Robert Stringer (trombone)

Felipe Quiroz (synthesizers)

Moris Cañate (tambor alegre)

Andres Jimenez (drums)

Isaish Richardson Jr. (sax and Clarinet)

Bionica: What made you guys choose the name MAKU for the band?

MAKU Soundsystems: Our guitarist Camilo, picked the name, inspired by the Nukak Makú. They are a nomadic indigenous community from the Amazon.  Supposedly, we Westerners came into contact with them and their story made the front page in the New York Times, which he in his experience found very interesting and that's where the name stems from. The notion, the name, just stuck with him and it's the band's name now. Maku means people, it's the people from every day life, Soundsystem is the party or vehicle through which we celebrate. And so, it's a party for everyone. 

Bionica: You guys are a very large group and most of you are from Colombia. 

MAKU Soundystem: Yes.

Bionica: Where in Colombia? 

MAKU Soundsystem: Different parts. There are 4 of us from Bogota, 2 people are from Barranquilla, and 2 band members are from here, the US. Robert the trombone player is from Savannah, Georgia in the South and Isaiah is from here, the Bronx in New York. 

Bionica: Although you guys are from Colombia, the culture is somehow different depending where you are, be it on the coast in Barranquilla or Bogota. What's something that you have learned from each other? What do you like most about working together?

MAKU Soundsystem: First we have learned to work together <laughs>. To make music together and have better conversation, with music together. We've been together for almost 5 years and as Colombians from different regions, there has definitely been an interchange. There was a huge rock influence in my time as well as music from here and the music that our parents listened to in Bogota. The music from the coast has always been present in Bogota in different ways, be it the bus–buzeta or our parents who would always listened to it at home in parties. The coast also has all the tradition that is a great foundation for the music that we put together as Maku Soundsystem. Besides that, we are also from here, from New York and we are immigrants and have been here for a long time. As Felipe was saying, there are members that aren't from Colombia. One is from New York and the other is from Savannah, and so there is an organic exchange with the music that is here in the city. All of us musicians listen to different things and you will hear something different depending on who you ask. I believe that the band fills itself with so many truths because of this. You have these New York immigrants with these Colombians in the middle. 

Bionica: You guys also came out with a vinyl disc. 

MAKU Soundsystem: Yes

Bionica: A single right?

MAKU Soundsystem: The last one that was released was an EP, with 4 songs. Before that there was a whole album, Makumbala, with 9 tracks and prior to that was our first CD, Vamos Bien. There will be a new album, Nation of Immigrants, which will be coming out at the end of the year. We were able to record 2 new songs at the Studio of LongBoard in Hamburg, Germany. The songs will be released under the label Peace & Rhythm which is from Massachusetts. It's all DJ, party…with love and substance. 

Bionica: Why didn't you release the songs in a digital format? Why vinyl?

MAKU Soundsystem: There are people in the band that really enjoy vinyls, we collect them. It's an analog sound, a physical process, which is nice. The final product is tangible. It's an alternative way to make music. Everything is so easy today, anyone can make an MP3, a CD, or even a vinyl disc, but the actual vinyl making process is special. We really value the analog sound and enjoy albums from the late 70s, early 80s. I personally collect them. It's romantic, and at the same time we feel more passionate making a vinyl disc than a CD. We're not saying that CDs are bad, they're great, but we as a band have a special appreciation for vinyl making. I think that Felipe makes a great point, it's about having something tangible, you can basically feel the process. There has to be something to remind us that we're here <laughs>. Something to tell us that the song finished and we have to get up and turn the disc over. Of course. It's a call for us to hold on to certain  things–not everything can be replaced. It's the physicality of an object which is what happens with the band as well. You can millions of MP3s and listen to them anywhere, which is fine, but there is a certain beauty in getting up to reach for the record and placing the needle on it and playing it. You can hear the sound waves with out putting the needle on it, you can change the tempo. It's like you can almost touch the music and we love it. At the same time, we're not leaving behind the digital world. It's just that you get a CD, someone opens it, pops it into the computer and it becomes an MP3 and that's it. Computers now a days don't even bring a CD drive. It's about going slowing down a little and enjoying things. As human beings, there is something very valuable in having an actual process for something and carrying it out from beginning to end. To feel that, to touch that, is important because you feel that you are able. 

Bionica: To know that we are alive.

Maku Soundsystem: Exactly! Imagine, the last three albums have been recorded on a tape without a computer. We were all basically in one room playing live in an analog form the way that you would record before. It doesn't matter if there's a mistake, you can do it over until it all comes out right. It's not about being perfect. Mistakes are part of everyone's reality. The band gains more energy playing live. Exactly! Which is what's important, it's what needs to be captured. 

Bionica: I had an art teacher, also from Bogota, that would tell me 'don't erase–work with your mistakes.' You have to work with them. 

Maku Soundystem: Of course.

Bionica: It's the reality of life, because you can't go back and delete to start over. 

Maku Soundsystem: Working with tapes is a very interesting process because you have a certain time limit. If you have a 15 minute time frame for side A, you either use what you just recorded, if not you have do it again. When you limit your options in certain things, you force yourself to work harder and make better things. 

Bionica: Can you give me an interesting fact about Maku?

Maku Soundsystem: More than an interesting fact, I think it's more of an important testimonial. We just got back from our tour in Germany and Denmark and I've lived here in the US for 13 years. I came here with a tourist visa when I was 14 and went to high school and college here. I was undocumented for quite some time and I have DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an executive action order issued Obama about 3 years ago. It basically pardons you from being deported and gives a you the opportunity to have a work permit. You don't have a resident status & are not able to leave the country unless you have special permission and I was able to receive that special permit as a musician via DACA to go abroad. We were able to break down certain walls via music! 

Bionica: Thank you so much!

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The Brand Phoenix

Too White To Be Mexican-Verano Alternativo

El concepto de Geovani se llama Too White To Be Mexican, con el propósito de burlarse de esos estereotipos raciales formados por la sociedad. Te parece complejo? Tal vez un poco, pero toma lo como un proyecto que une al mundo través de la música sin importar lo que 'esta supuesto ser' ;) Lo llamo sátira musical y me parece genial! 

Too White To Be Mexican is the name of Geovani's concept which makes fun of the racial stereotypes formed by society. Sound complex? Perhaps a bit, but take it in as a project that creates beautiful music from around the world–becoming a bridge that knocks down what 'we're supposed to be or like' because of our ethnic background. It is what I call musical satire and it's genius!!! 

Bionica: You have something called Too White to be Mexican.

Geovani: That is correct.

Bionica: Tell me about it. 

Geovani: Well, Too White To Be Mexican comes from being here in the US as a Mexican. This is audio, but I'm pretty white, I'm pale. I am ChilaPatío, so I'm mixed. Chilangos are from the Federal District and Tapatíos are from Guadalajara. 

Well each time I would go into a store, someone would ask 'where are you from' and I would say 'where do you think I'm from?' People would always say Italy, Argentina but never Mexico and when I would tell them that I'm Mexican, they would be surprised and go 'oh, really–you're too white to be Mexican' I heard it so many times that I finally said I would adopt a name for something. I wasn't sure what it would be and in the end I came up with this project of electronic music with collaborations called Too White to be Mexican. 

Bionica: What's inspired your music?

Geovani: My music is like a statement to break down stereotypes. Obviously when you're told 'you're too white to be Mexican' it's like 'what did you expect?' It does have to do with race–there's everything. It's not the color of your skin that matters, we're all people and so the Too White To Be Mexican is ironic in a way. 

I've invited a lot of very interesting people to take part in the project. There are people from Spain, Chile & even Israel which has to do with the fact that it doesn't matter where you're from. There's this Mexican actress, Diana Garcia involved, and she's been in movies like Casi Divas and is also a street artist. There's an Israeli singer, Maor Nawi who is also on the scene, Lara Bello is from Spain, living in New York with an incredible voice and Camila Meza who is from Chile and into jazz. As you can see, there are all types of different genres which some how brings us a little out of our comfort zone. It's to say 'this is electronic music, I'll give you the beat and you write what you want' and it's brought forth a lot of interesting things. The first song was release on the 2nd of July and you can go on to Spotify, Google Play & iTunes to hear Too White To Be Mexican. 

Bionica: I like it because it's breaking down the racial stereotypes that we all experience as Latinos. 

Geovani: It also touches base on the topic of identity–'are you Hispanic or Latino?' In reality you're Hispanic but you're from Colombia, Brazil or wherever…The Mexican is pretty clear, Too White To Be Mexican. When people see me they say 'of course, you're too white to be Mexican' and so I'm also making fun of that in a way.

I just dropped two singles and it's pretty interesting because the idea is to drop two per month and invite a lot of collaborations. Right now there's a song with Renee Mooi who is Mexican and she's amazing. 

Bionica: So you put the beats together…

Geovani: Yes, I'll put a base together. The composition aspect is interesting too because I'll make the beat, send it online, they'll work on the vocals, send it back to me here and the result is something that I would have never imagined. Some people sing punk like Sandrushka Petrova who is Mexican, was invited to Russia and her music has nothing to do with being Mexican. The fact that you're Mexican doesn't mean that you play mariachi or even tequila. There are very different tastes in music and the idea is that everyone adopts what they like. Give me your personality in this song. If you play punk music that's great, dark wave or whatever it is–in the end it's electro music with a Mexican twist. 

Bionica: Did you always like electronic music? What were your other influences?

Geovani: Well, I like all types of music. The influence that I have is arrabal, Mexican arrabal (arrabal is urban but in terms of music, maybe what was urban sometime ago)–up to the danzón (the danzón is a type of music with Cuban origins that incorporates an orchestra with wind instruments, drums, violins and percussion instruments–it may also be interpreted by mariachi as well). These types of music have their bases well fostered in Mexico and that's how it started. I used to have a project called Sweet Electra which was a mix of arrabal with electronica. You can say that it's the cousin of this project, just a little more intense with people from all over that are invited to do other things music wise. 

Bionica: What did your family say when you told them 'The name of the project is Too White To Be Mexican?'

Geovani: <laughs> Well obviously it's controversial as many people will react saying 'that's too racist…' I'm Mexican, I'm too white to be Mexican–but that's what people say, not me. In reality it's a joke. It's been talked about a lot and people take it lightly which I like because there isn't a serious statement that's political, racial or anything. It really is just making fun of the fact of what I'm always told here in the US. I find it funny and my friends do too. <laughs>

Bionica: Thank you so much!

Geovani: No, thank you!

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Latin Alternative

Maxx Gallo-Verano Alternativo

El pasado martes 7 de Julio, BMI dio a disfrutar el concierto de Verano Alternativo, en The Bowery Electric de Manhattan como primicia de su Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC). Este tremendo concierto en verdad fue una fusion de la musica al rededor del mundo. 

This past Tuesday, July 7, BMI music had its Verano Alternativo concert at The Bowery Electric in Manhattan welcoming it's Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC). This awesome concert, was a true fusion of music from around the world.

Empezando con el joven mexicano Maxx Gallo que sin duda alguna cuando escuchas su música no hay mas opción que empezar dando pasitos con el pie derecho, luego el izquierdo, después movidas de cadera y sin darte cuenta estas bailando. No lo puedes evitar. Su música incorpora lo que es el Regional Mexicano con algo moderno de techno y lo urbano, creando una mezcla entre generaciones, la de los padres y la de uno.

It began with Mexican singer Maxx Gallo. From the minute you hear his music, you can't help but begin tapping your right foot, then the left, your hips  start moving and before you know it–your full on dancing! It's inevitable. His music is a blend of Regional Mexican with techno and urban beats, bridging the generation of our parents with ours. 

Bionica: Maxx, what did your parents say when they heard your music for the first time?

Maxx Gallo: Well, my parents had been supporting my music before I chose tribal. I was producing hip-hop, electronica, edm…and enjoyed it as a producer, but was still searching for the genre form me. I still hadn't found the right one as an artist. My parents were very happy when I found tribal because I was singing in Spanish and everything before that was in english. They were so excited to see the positive response everyone gave when I began putting my songs out there. Tribal is definitely for me and it's what I'm going to focus on. 

Bionica: It's all tribal as an artist!

Maxx Gallo: Yes, I love it as an artist. Of course when I do featurings with other artists I'm going to stray from the genre a little. 

Bionica: What type of music did you play before as an artist or producer?

Maxx Gallo: Well all my life I've played musica norteña (Northern Mexican music) and band music on the drums. I've been a percussionist since I was a kid. When I turned 15, I got into hip-hip but as I said before, I was always searching. 

I also produced a lot of reggaeton for a bit and now I'm doing tribal. I was definitely inspired when I heard 3BallMTY, I think that's where, how do you say it? Me envicié (I got hooked).

Bionica: How old were you when you started playing the drums?

Maxx Gallo: I was about seven. Yea, I was a kid in a small town in Oregon where I lived with my dad. 

Bionica: What's the name of that town?

Maxx Gallo: The Dalles. 

Bionica: You also went to Los Angeles. 

Maxx Gallo: I was still living in Portland when I was 21 and then I got a sudden opportunity to produce tribal and I went to Los Angeles. It was basically the beginning of Maxx Gallo–it's where it all started. 

Bionica: How was it for you playing in Oregon?

Maxx Gallo: To be honest, it was hard. I was just starting and no one was really giving me a chance–I was always looking for new and interesting genres that weren't yet accepted. That has always been a little difficult for me but I'm focused on creating my own path. Now things are great and I'm no longer worried about the past. 

Bionica: Who opened the doors for you?

Maxx Gallo: There were plenty of people who supported me along the way and some how helped me get in touch with Toy Selectah who has been backing me up ever since. 

Bionica: What's the best lesson or advice that you have learned from Toy Selectah?

Maxx Gallo: Patience. Yes, the first thing he told was to be patient and he was right. I think patience is key, keep working and stay focused. 

Bionica: You're LP El Gallote comes out this summer. 

Maxx Gallo: Yes! I'm very excited. First we're coming out with an EP, we're not sure if we're going to turn it into an LP just yet but it has 5 songs. I've produced all of them and it's pretty much a welcoming into my world. Of course from there we'll do some collaborations with other artists and I actually already have some songs lined up too, but I think that will be for the LP El Gallote. We'll see what happens.

Bionica: Can you give me a little preview of an upcoming song. 

Maxx Gallo: Yes of course. This one is El Gallote and it goes…

El mas galotte, let her loose so she can go 

move so she can let loose 

come on over so I can see, little by little by little 

she's already looking for something sweet 

isn't she already happy?

come on over and bring me those lips 

to see if they taste like mint 

turn on, turn on that light 

so that I can see everything that I'm touching 

you know I can get a little crazy 

especially when your near me…

Bionica: That was really good. Would you say chido? Not so chido?

Maxx Gallo: A litte alburero. (witty-pun)

Bionica: Alburero.

Maxx Gallo: A little albuero, kind of funny, all with the good intention of having everyone dance. 

Bionica: I like it, I like it. Well, thank you so much Maxx. 

Maxx Gallo: No, thank you. 

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Latin Alternative