In addition to Deep Purple or Kiss, the Cartagena Rock Imperium roster welcomes bands from the local burgeoning scene under the big boxy banner, seeking to convey their message through powerful guitars, exciting riffs and sweet yet punchy melodies. That’s exactly what it will do. Elure, a band from Cartagena led by Carlota Ágatha, will burst on the third day of the post-grunge festival. Elure applies the ‘do it yourself’ motto to the tips of their fingers, and with full self-management, they’ve managed to make their name in concert loops, venues and festivals large and small inside and outside the Region. The two EPs behind him show his solid development and his determination to take this project to new horizons, walking the streets of the loudest alternative rock to voice the disappointments of a generationAs with her last single, locked in silenceAs Carlota Ágatha herself told La Opinión.
QUESTION: The group they have been working with for seven years was born in 2016. How has Elure changed over this time?
REPLY: Elure naturally evolved, both personally and musically; We let what he said to us take us away. This has been a challenge for us as there are obstacles in the way of a group that you always have to learn to overcome and also face, so it is very important to be persistent and keep going.
Q: I assume these obstacles involve some formation changes. However, they can still be recognized by ear. What is the essence of Elure that survives against all odds?
A: We think there’s something recognizable in their voice and lyrics, as they tend to have a certain dark and chaotic undertone, but always with a glimmer of hope. And yes, despite the changes in the members, we try to keep alive our essence, where darkness and light prevail simultaneously, and more of the grunge sound that characterizes us above all else. Even though we like to immerse ourselves in the ideas that cross our minds, we do not set limits.
Q: On your last single, locked in silence along with the choruses with harder guitar riffs, there is a leading and harmonious female voice. Could this be the topic that best sums up what Elure is today?
A: At least it shows the progress of the group. This is something we wanted to do, and as I told you before, we let go and we succeeded; We try to live the moment with music. Otherwise, locked in silence A song that translates a current situation that we believe many of our generation have experienced: disorientation and rebirth from the ashes, to rediscover themselves and survive in this world in which we have to live.
Q: Looking back, your first EP was, abnormally (2018) has the sound of a young band being discovered, but tip and sigh (2021) sounds more stable and powerful. What’s behind this evolution in sound?
A: Formation when we do abnormally He was the one who founded the group, and that was decisive. Let’s say we were experimenting with sound because we are people with very different musical tastes. Back then, we were very obsessed with bands like Radiohead, Alt-J, and Muse; The kind of sound these bands had more in terms of ambience caught us and this was noted in the final result. abnormally. Instead, with tip and sigh We decided to make more direct and powerful songs. Also, we were in a trio format when we made this EP, so when it came to composing we used a lot of powerful guitar riffs to fill in, which sounded more grunge and garage-like.
“We’re people with a wide variety of musical tastes: we love Britney Spears and she’s a real diva”
Q: I also see a search for a larger arrangement, a more rigorous production.
A: We think arrangements are essential to a song. Inside tip and sigh Pedro Quesada, who is now with Arde Bogotá, helped us; It was his contribution that put the finishing touches on the EP. Instead, the production of our last single, locked in silence, the person we trust is in charge of José Marsilla: he records us, gives us voice… And the truth is, we are very happy with the result. Oh, and there’s another thing to learn from that session…
Q: Among your influences, you quoted Muse and Radiohead; I personally see Placebo and Wolf Alice (though there are those who put you next to them) dorsum). Hard to find local references for the music you want to make?
A: There are many groups with such more ‘alternative’ references if you do a little research, but it’s true that a national group with that kind of voice and influence is hard to spot. I hope that changes, because we love it.
Q: I think these influences made you sing in English, but YouTube They contain lyrics translated into Spanish. The first step towards a possible language change?
A: We put the subtitles in Spanish to make it easier for people to interpret the lyrics of our songs in their own way. This is a question we are asked a lot, but for now we are comfortable and happy to sing in English because our musical roots are in this language; Although the Spanish issue is not something we ignore. Maybe not as a complete transition from English to Spanish, but maybe a specific topic… I don’t know, just to see how we feel. However, if that happens, we want it to happen because we really want to do it.
Q: There is suffering, disharmony, and challenge to the established in your words. Is there too much introspection in your writing style?
A: Completely. It is easier for me to write about things that have happened to me or that I feel identified with. I also like to write about situations involving people close to me. I’m starting to feel so powerless in this society we live in, and for me writing about it has been a therapy and a way to organize my thoughts. They are also themes that people of our generation can identify with.
Q: Going back to your influences, I saw you encompass them live. Britney Spears. How do you combine postgrunge sound with mixed music? … baby one more time And I did it again?
We are people with a wide variety of musical tastes. We like to take themes from contrasting styles and bring them into our own space; We had so much fun doing it. The idea came up at a rehearsal because we love Britney Spears and she’s a real diva. We did it to try and we found it was great and we really enjoyed playing it, so we were asked “Why don’t we put it on the setlist?” We said and here it goes. After all, the adaptation wasn’t too complicated: we all knew how to touch it.
“I’m starting to feel so powerless in this society and writing about it has been therapeutic”
Q: They’re also a group that moves a lot to take their music beyond the Zone. How is the process of trying to make a sound outside the Community as a completely independent group?
A: It is obtained by researching and emailing the whole world. This is a long distance race and perseverance is key. For example, you need to prepare the ground very well before contacting a person who can open certain doors for you. There are many factors in the identity of a group that can differentiate you or make you stand out from the rest, and these should be well studied and developed.
Q: As an independent group, I think these achievements are particularly good.
A: Clear. It’s very satisfying to achieve something for yourself. In the end it becomes ‘I cook and eat’. There are also people around us who love and depend on us and are a great support. Although it’s a tough job, huh… We’re going to be knocking on many doors to see which one we can get into.
Q: As part of their quest for expansion, they played Mad Cool in Madrid last summer after a long wait due to the pandemic. How was this experience?
A: It was one of the best experiences of our lives. And it’s so surreal, because it all stemmed from the sending of an email with a press release as a result of the video clip. worthless. The festival director liked the offer and asked us if we wanted to play in Mad Cool 2020. We couldn’t believe it when the time came, and the response from the public was incredible: There were people singing our songs! It’s incredible to have this achievement on our resume.
Q: Continuing with the major national festivals, you will step onto the Rock Imperium stage this summer. How did you feel when you saw Elure’s name on the poster?
A: Adding to the illusion that our name is next to other big bands like Kiss, Europe, Deep Purple or Skid Row, it’s a lot of emotion to see them choose us.
Q: As a band from Cartagena, that concert on June 25 will be doubly special.
A: Completely. It is a great pleasure to play in the second of this great festival that has already become a national touchstone. We are very happy to be a part of this.
Q: I know some of Elure came in as a spectator last year. Apart from your concert, which moments are you most looking forward to in this issue?
A: It’s not uncommon to see bands like Kiss, Helloween or Blind Guardian right here, ten minutes from home, so we’re going to enjoy it to the fullest.
Q: Even if they play at home, Rock Imperium will be a great showcase to get their music heard. What did you prepare?
A: We are preparing a direct and powerful concert where we will showcase the essence of Elure and showcase the strongest and grunge part of the repertoire. And you’ll probably be able to listen live to some of the singles we haven’t released yet.