Los Aptos – Descifrar

By starrymag | October 15, 2023

By: Alejandra Gil M.

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) The way I would describe our sound is Musica Mexicana. But to get more in depth I would say it’s a fusion between sierreno, pop, and alternative. It’s an outcome of our Mexican roots while living in the United States.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) It’s hard to pick just one musical influence because I listen to a lot of music. If I had to pick a handful it would be Grupo Frontera, Cuco, Frank Ocean and Olivia Rodrigo. I also love to listen to a lot of music from different eras for example the 80s with artists like Micheal Jackson, Luis Miguel and Los Hombres G. There’s just a very wide range.

Q) Your new album Descifrar is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

A) The album Descifrar is about a lot of emotions and situations you may face while in a relationship, so I think it about covers everything. It talks about falling in love, heartbreak, being insecure or maybe a bit even toxic at times. It also talks about letting go or fighting for love.

Q)Descifrar includes popular collaborations with Mexican-American stars such as DannyLux and Cuco, as well as the new single “Hace Mucho Tiempo,” which captures the unique essence of your original style and fuses its passion for Mexican music with a catchy and modern sensibility. Please tell us the story behind the single.

A) The songs with Danny, Cuco, and the song “Hace Mucho Tiempo” are very catchy and I’m glad they are. When making this album and these songs I dove hard into my craft as a songwriter/producer. I fell in love with how catchy pop songs were, so I just really focused on the structures of other pop songs and why they work so well, And then I just started adopting those methods into our songs. The songs are very simple, but they work so well. Less is more sometimes.

Q) “Hace Mucho Tiempo” was also released with a music video. How involved were you in the creative process?

A) I’m super involved with the creative process of the videos because I also love diving into that. And also I wanna tell the story as best as possible through the video and match the vibes. Recently I’ve done the mood boards and the scene planning myself on my computer. After putting together the idea I want, I then hand it over the our wonderful team so the video professionals can organize it all and actually make an efficient structure. That’s when they work their magic.

Q) What was the songwriting process like? Do you need music before you can come up with the lyrics?

A) I always write just with my guitar, my phone with voice memos and notes and alone. Writing a song can be super vulnerable sometimes or sometimes you need to write terrible stuff so the good can come out. That’s why I like to write alone so there’s no pressure to be amazing or to not say something stupid. Usually, I just find some chords I like and just start free styling and something cool comes out. When something I like comes out then I just start putting the puzzle pieces together. Or sometimes I’ll think of a cool phrase or melody randomly like in the shower or the car, so I’ll record it into my phone and come back to it later.

Q) The album also includes tracks like “100pre,” “Miel,” “Solo Tu,” “Tu Labial” to name a few and a personal favorite for me “Tu me Lllevas a un Espacio.” Do you have a a personal favorite from this album?

A) I love all the songs on the album but I think my two favorite are “Miel” and “Hace Mucho Tiempo.” “Miel” just means so much because we got to work with Cuco and it just means so much because I’ve been a fan since like middle school or high school, since before I even made music. But also, the song is just fire. Cuco was so amazing to work with. “Hace Mucho Tiempo,” I feel is just so well written the way the story flows I just love it.

Q) Was there a song that was more emotional for you to record or maybe challenging for you in some way?

A) There wasn’t really a song that was hard to record emotionally. A lot of the songs aren’t really about me they’re just stories I made up in my head or other peoples’ situations I was inspired by. Occasionally, I do throw some of my own experiences in there but it’s rare.

Q) This album showcases soulful compositions laced with romance and authentic emotion and combines Sierreño with elements of alternative pop. What do you hope people take away from it?

A) With this album I hope people get a new view of Los Aptos and what we’re capable of. I’ve said this a lot recently that I feel like this is our first album because this was what Los Aptos was always supposed to sound like. There was just a lot go growing that needed to happen.

Q) You have recently collaborated with the Mexican-American artists Xavi and Conexión Divina, and have been dominating streams on Spotify, thanks to its inclusion in the platform’s Radar program. Also, the band currently holds a place on the cover of Spotify’s RADAR México. What´s it like getting more recognition for your music?

A) It’s super cool being able to meet new artists like Xavi And Conexion Divina because you’re able to get inspired or just learn a thing or two. We’re super grateful and honored to have even been considered for the Radar Program but to be chosen is just super amazing. We’re super appreciative with all the platforms that help us out and specifically Spotify for all the love they have shown us. It’s super awesome because the Radar program has allowed our music to connect more with our Mexican audience not just in the United States but all of Mexico.

Q) You had a headlining appearance at Festival Viva Pomona in Los Angeles on July 15; a spot at Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 5; and a performance at Festival ARRE HSBC, the first Mexican music festival in Mexico City, in September. What does it mean to you to be performing at these iconic concerts?

A) It has been such a dream come true and an honor to be performing at these events we’ve been at and are upcoming. We’re just kids from Indiana and to be able to perform at such iconic and important events is just mind blowing. We’re super grateful for everything. We owe it all to the people that listen to our music and give us a platform.

Q) What album/group are you currently listening to and why do you like it?

A) A group that I’ve been blasting recently has been Grupo Frontera. I think we can all admire what they’ve been doing with cumbia, and also, I’m super inspired by their producer/writer Edgar Barrera. So, I live to listen because I enjoy the music but I’m also learning and taking mental notes at the same time.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) It’s extremely important for us to connect with our listeners because they’re the whole reason we’re even here and have a platform. So, we owe it to them to keep them entertained and giving them content as much as possible.

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?

A) First and foremost, I wanna say thank you to our listeners or any person who has taken the time out of their day to listen to our music or follow us on any platform or share anything of ours, thank you! Without the people none of this is possible. We’re working hard to bring you guys new music.

 

 

All Questions Answered By Vocalist Juan Ortega