Photo * Bradley Mienz / bradleymienz.com
Kitten*
Photo * Bradley Mienz / bradleymienz.com
Kitten*
Photo * Bradley Mienz / bradleymienz.com
MADREPORE * MUSIC
Interview by Veronica Chanel KG: My name is Kinski Gallo (vocals) of Madrepore. VC: How long as Madrepore been together? KG: Um as a band we started with our new drummer Javier two years ago but Jason (guitar), my brother Rodax (bass) and I have been together for seven years. Before that Rodax and I were in a Spanish rock band for 10 years, yea we’ve been doing this for a long time we are true pioneers. VC: How would you describe your music to anyone who hasn’t heard you before? KG: Someone said it really good before, Rock and Roll with a splash of eclecticism. I would say our music is very deceiving because you listen to it in the beginning and it comes out like a hard sound you know because of all the distorted guitars, but underneath all that there is a real layer of melody and sense of deep lyrics and well crafted music you know its not just noise. So people need to be a little bit more open minded. VC: Where did the name Madrepore derive from? KG: I think I was reading Henry Miller’s The Tropic of Capricorn, and I read that word and thought it was really beautiful. Our old band was called Idle and we got sued for the name, at that same time we were parting ways with our old drummer so it was a new beginning for us. The word means coral but people have a hard time with it, which I like because the same thing with our music it’s not easy you’re not going to get it in the first try. VC: What is the most important about playing live? KG: I think the most important thing is to play and Create an experience, we leave a little imprint in your life you know like “That band was fucking amazing!” Or “Oh that band really sucked”. I would rather have somebody hate us than walk away and not remember us at all.
VC: Tell me about your new albums. KG: Our newest album “Overblown” just came out in Japan and Oslo, it will also be released in the US this May. The album is just a selection of different songs; it’s about politics and love. Our next album which we are working on right now will be 50% Spanish and 50% English and its going to be really hard because its not something we’ve done before. There are not many bands in LA that play rock and are exploring those avenues; I lived in Mexico till I was ten so I have that culture in me I think it will be interesting to bring that culture into LA. VC: Do you think fashion is important for musicians? KG: I think fashion and music are interwoven its like a marriage if you’re a rock star and you don’t look sheik or have your own style no body buys it. I remember someone asked me “Why do you think its so important to look good?” and I was thinking think about why you like any band, the first thing you see is how cool those mother fuckers are. I remember seeing a picture of Jimmy Paige and thinking man I want to look like that! Then eventually it was Robert Smith from the Cure you know its all fashion. I love clothes, I love dressing up for photo shoots and live shows. VC: How would you describe your personal style? KG: I go back in forth, I’m very gothic at heart but I really like 60’s and 70’s fashion. Onstage I try and blend 60’s through the 90’s all mixed together but I try to look comfortable. I just like to combine all styles into one, that’s my style. For more visit: www.madrepore.com
Kitten*
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