Shaman Shaman shines at CreaMurcia final
On June 22, Shaman Shaman took the Murcian Sala Mamba stage as one of three groups in the CreaMurcia final, alongside Ave Alcaparra and Martina Efedra. Shortly after, they were crowned winners in a night that felt familiar to many in the city’s buzzing music scene. After an EP release last year, they tease that Analog Waste will soon arrive, a long-awaited album that will capture the trio’s shamanic energy and “interdimensional exploration” in their grooves. Alfredo handles drums, Pascual plays bass and sings backing vocals, and Pons contributes guitar and lead vocals.
First of all: congratulations on your first place in CreaMurcia. How would you describe the experience from the inside?
Thank you. The other finalists were outstanding, so our aim was to deliver a strong show and make the jury’s decision tougher. Coincidentally, the night fell on the solstice, so we joked about asking the stars for victory. The night went well, and the award felt like validation after years of introducing ourselves to CreaMurcia. It was a reminder that we had grown comfortable with our music and our community.
They had reached the final before. How did you approach this year’s competition, given the strong performance?
We kept the same approach as at other shows: rehearse until the sound is right, then dress the audience with a memorable ride and share that energy with anyone present. We’ve been working on the album since October last year, so we brought more energy and conviction to the stage than ever before.
There is mention that they performed in a duo format in the 2017 edition. How has the lineup evolved since then?
Yes, and they’ve played in various formations in earlier years. Sometimes big shifts happen in a band, but the core idea remains constant. The project paused for a while and by 2019 the trio formed a stable unit. Some songs played that night in 2017 evolved into pieces in their current set list.
Do you have plans for the prize?
The prize money could have helped reduce debt from recording and self-publishing their first LP. The team also wished they had invested more in professional photography earlier. Those are the practical takeaways rather than grand plans, but they keep their eyes on momentum for the next steps.
Bringing the rich garage punk scene of the Anglo-Saxon world to Murcia—how does that balance between rage and musicality, concept and instinct feel in this city?
Living in a diverse city is a gift, though the style is still a minority here. The language barrier isn’t helping, but it comes from the influence of Anglo-Saxon acts like punk, garage rock, psychedelia, grunge and alternative rock. Growing up with that music becomes part of one’s DNA, and over time it takes on a personal touch.
Looking back to 2017, when Model City of Civilization emerged as a beat, what happened then?
For Shaman Shaman, 2019 marked a turning point with a trio lineup. Early posts captured moments, but a band voice tends to settle in over time. They kept several songs and refined them as they learned and grew together as a group.
“Records are like photographs, but a band’s sound is the ongoing motion”
They describe a cyberpunk, sci‑fi, and dystopian mood. Where do these ideas originate?
Sci‑fi and related genres fuel their imagination. They see reality and dystopia crossing paths as societies shift under constant change. Science fiction provides a fertile backdrop for metaphors in their lyrics and for the aesthetic of the group. As shamans, they view themselves as interdimensional explorers who alter perception and provoke sensations through sound and experience.
Some describe their performance as a blend of occultist imagery, tricks with visuals, and a textural approach to songs. How do they complete their compositions?
Lyrics, visuals, and texture are all pieces of a secret formula. They aim to address broad topics without losing focus on the band’s core identity. They acknowledge the importance of collaboration and the natural energy of their work in shaping each track.
The singles show a bold graphic style, while the EP had a tighter look. What informed that choice?
The logo on the cover reflects what Shaman Shaman has stood for to date. The EP signaled a beginning and hinted at endings within the cycle. The logo embodies the human condition and a rejection of a single face, using the masks of shamans to convey that idea.
Working with Raúl de Lara after the first EP, what was the experience?
Raúl understood the sound and the group’s philosophy from the start. He helped bring out the best in their work, guiding the recording process with practical, creative touches. The group appreciates the local studios and the chance to contribute to the regional music economy. It is a pleasure collaborating with him and a source of gratitude for the opportunities it brought.
They’ve also worked with other studios and collaborators. What do they seek in a team?
They value the chance to work with people who add value to the project. They’ve completed Metamorphosis (2020) and Exarcheia (2021), the first two singles released through Kadifornia. The goal is to align with collaborators who enhance the music while preserving the band’s core energy, and they treasure the positive experiences from earlier sessions that informed the album’s development.
What can listeners expect from the upcoming LP?
There is a strong desire for the new material to see the light soon. They already previewed fresh songs that will appear shortly. The initial singles are planned to come out after the summer, and the album, consisting of eight tracks, will be titled Analog Waste. It marks a clear next step for the group, and anticipation is high for where it will lead them next.