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Dapuntobeat Interview: SXSW 2010

Since 1998, musical scientists Dapuntobeat have been captivating Mexico City with their unique musical experiments and ambient beat theories. The team of five musicians, with DJ Yako on the turntables, is bringing their orchestra of beat-making, sampling, sound layering and live instrumentation to SXSW for the band's first appearance at the music festival. Spinner caught up with synth player Jose Marquez to discuss the band's plans.

Describe your sound.

It's all about our live show. We put six musicians together with drum machines and synthesizers, plus keyboards, guitars, bass and decoders. There's a guy behind the turntables, DJ Yako. Our music is full of technology -- a struggle between man and machine.

How did you come up with your band name?

It's a game of words. The "Dap" part plays with both Anglo and Latin languages, similar to a name like De La Soul that combines two languages.

What's the music scene like in Mexico City?

The scene has been growing. We have lots of arts and we have lots of old-school things. All the dangers are still there and it's a city that has been the center of many things. We've been there for years, despite not being a mainstream band. We're recognized as cool in our own way because we've been around for a while. You can see many bands -- old bands and new bands -- and there's a heavy artistic influence. We're collaborating and remixing each other constantly and there's all sorts of projects going on. Rock is back in Mexico City, and there are lots of rock bands popping up. In the early 2000s, it was mostly electronic music, and we had DJ fever. That's good for us, because we've always had this rock component to our music. You can tell when you see us live that we have rock 'n' roll roots. We're an experimental laboratory of music and beats.

What's the audience reaction like?

Our live shows are recognized for making people go crazy. People don't just listen to our live music and stare. None of us are cute, so the music has to stand on its own!

What is your survival plan for SXSW?

Well, we have each other. We're not just friends, we're brothers and there's five of us, plus our DJ. As far as survival plans, we'll bring lots of aspirin, my iPod full of music and a good book, just in case.

What is the most embarrassing song you have on your iPod?

I was dating this girl and she used my iPod, and when she gave it back, there was a song from Celine Dion on it. I deleted it. I wouldn't say it's embarrassing, but it was improper for a guy like me. We didn't make it, but it wasn't because of the song.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

Probably Drew Barrymore from 'E.T.' I was born in 1979, so I was just at the right age when that movie came out.

What is the craziest thing you've ever seen on tour?

We were touring around Europe in a van. We were in Spain, returning from a festival. We were wasted on the bus going back to Madrid with the tour manager and a couple of chicks we had met. I fell asleep, and when I woke up, there was a paramilitary cop standing over me. They found some "strange things" on us, and I thought for sure we were getting arrested. They searched the entire bus. We were starting to get worried, but in the end, they just gave us a fine. I can't believe the Spanish people only get a fine when they get pulled over for drugs, and then they let you take your drugs with you! You can keep them. If something like that happened in Mexico, things would go a lot differently.


Dave Brooks is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.

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musicplygrnd

Hey cool interview! If you really dig Dapuntobeat check out this concert review for them - http://themusicplayground.tumblr.com/post/12000459451/the-swing-set-dapuntobeat-and-old-wives

November 02 2011 at 10:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply