El Mató a Un Policía Motorizado brings their Súper Terror World Tour to the 305! Hailing from Argentina, this trailblazing band has earned global recognition, including a Latin Grammy for their album "Unas Vacaciones Raras." Now, armed with new music, they're set to ignite the stage at the Miami Beach Bandshell on May 11th. Tickets here.
Known for their infectious melodies, distinctive visuals, and boundary-pushing indie sound, El Mató has captivated audiences worldwide. Don't miss this chance to experience their electrifying performance and immerse yourself in the unique sonic universe of one of Latin America's most influential bands. We had the opportunity to talk to Santiago Motorizado, lead singer of the band, ahead of his upcoming show.
Your journey from forming in La Plata, Argentina, to achieving international acclaim has been remarkable. How has the band's origin story and evolution influenced your approach to creating music and connecting with audiences worldwide?
The journey is long, from 2002 when we started getting together for our first rehearsals up to the present day; it's a lot of time, and obviously, we always keep in mind where we came from, the entire path we've taken, and our choices. Our whole imprint has to do with that history, and when it comes to making music, going on tour, facing every situation, it's related to that; it's like the same idiosyncrasy that has accompanied us from day one. Obviously, with a different context, a different world, another reality. Another reality within the band itself is that we have been growing, a lot of people have been added to the team, but I think the essence is kind of the same as always.
"Unas Vacaciones Raras" earned you a Latin Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2022. How did this recognition impact your creative process and subsequent projects, such as your latest album, "Súper Terror"?
Yes, we won the Latin Grammy for Best Rock Album, but it didn't mean anything in the creative process of "Súper Terror," not at all. Even "Súper Terror" is a very different album from "Unas Vacaciones Raras," completely different. Awards in music are something we celebrate a lot in private, but it's not something that affects, neither that nor any external situation when it comes to creating songs, or writing. One writes for oneself, and that communication is what then goes beyond and sees what happens.
As pioneers of Spanish indie rock, you've garnered a significant following not just in Latin America but also internationally. How do you navigate balancing your Argentinean roots with the global appeal of your music?
The truth is that international recognition doesn't mean much to us. What surprises us is that our songs, written from our place, with a very marked and defined personality, generate the same emotions in the audience in Argentina as in the audience in Latin America, America, and Europe, from such distant places. And we see how those songs appeal with the same intensity; it's really something great. But it's not something that signifies or impacts our creative process; we continue to write what we feel like writing and making the music we want to make regardless of what happens afterward, which is something beyond our control.
Your music is often described as having anthem-like melodies and eccentric album graphics. How do you approach crafting a cohesive visual and auditory experience for your audience?
We make the music we like, that we feel is necessary to make. We choose our own path, trying to renew ourselves all the time, and that exploration includes the visual part of all this. And everything flows, a main idea coexists harmoniously with others, and then triggers third ideas that complement that main idea. It's not something we plan systematically, but rather it unfolds from an idea that has the power to trigger new ideas, like a chain reaction. And in that journey, that harmony of conjunction is generated. We're really happy with that; we enjoy the creative process of all the links in an album, a show, a music video, from an idea, a piece of music to everything else.
With influences ranging from Pixies to The Flaming Lips, how do you integrate these diverse inspirations into your sound while maintaining a distinct El Mató a un Policía Motorizado style?
Well, yes, we've been listening to a lot of music since we were very young. The idea was to explore a little further, what was called alternative music in the 90s. That was the music that escaped from the prevailing sound, from fashion, from the radio. We've always been interested in that peripheral path; we try to explore it in our own way, seeking places that motivate us, that inspire us, that bring us satisfaction. But well, there's everything in that information that one accumulates, which later transforms and one pours into their own art.
You've been invited to participate in "A Tribute to Stop Making Sense," alongside artists like Miley Cyrus and The National. What does it mean for the band to be recognized and included in such a significant project commemorating Talking Heads' iconic concert film?
It's really great, and we're very motivated by the tribute to Talking Heads; it's an honor to have been invited, and it's a double honor that they liked our version, it's very exciting, it's a historic band of world music. Also being part of this tribute where there are great international artists, being the only Latin band participating is a responsibility and an honor. We're really happy, we had a great time recording our version, and we're eager for people to hear it.
Throughout your career, you've played sold-out shows across the US, and Europe, and filled arenas in Argentina. How do you adapt your live performances to different audiences and venues while staying true to your artistic vision?
No, we don't adapt anything to different places; we do our show, what we want to do that night on stage, regardless of what's in front of us. At most, we adapt when at a festival we have to play for a shorter or longer time. Throughout the years, in our different stages, presenting our albums, the premise has been to do what we want to do at that moment, not to be thinking about the audience in front of us but about what we want to do, and if people like it, great, and if not, it's okay.
What can your Miami fans expect from your show on May 11 at The Bandshell?
Well, we're very happy to return to Miami, we're motivated to present "Súper Terror," our latest album, and also going through our entire discography. It's really good; it's going to be the last show of this tour in the USA, it's a good opportunity in the sense that after a long tour, the band reaches a point of connection, it's a special moment, the end of the tour. The band comes with a journey, and it's like a soccer player who gets into rhythm and when the band gets into rhythm, into heat, the technique and physical condition perform better. So, we hope it's a great night, and everyone who comes enjoys it.
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