Electronica with deep bass and quirky mexican shit. The secret to the success of Tijuana Cartel is how they turn an utterly unique blend of flamenco, percussion, trumpet, beats, breaks, positivity and pulsing global rhythms into a uniting and exciting musical force.
Is there any act you’re particularly excited to see at Eclipse Festival?
It’s been a while since we last saw Opiuo and spoonbill :-)
What separates Eclipse from the more mainstream commercial festivals?
It caters to a sub culture we adore, there’s a lot of acts that fit nicely into this festival that wouldn’t in a lot of other Aus festivals, it’s vibrant and original thing.
You guys have played a heap of festivals; do you have a favourite moment?
Rainbow Serpent and Peats Ridge are by far our most loved.
After some very heavy acid at an unnamed festival, Kez our Computer expert hallucinated spaghetti dripping down the screen while trying to figure out computer keys that had turned to hieroglyphics. I thought we’d failed the gig, but i still hear comment on how it was the best show we’d played. I spent the whole show hiding behind Kez’s legs with a microphone.
Tijuana Cartel blends a unique mixture of genres, how much work goes into re-creating that in the live setting?
Too much, it’s a battle to figure out what parts we do live and how to make each tempo change fit without loosing a dance floor, but when it works it’s a true buzz.
What would you say has the biggest influence on the band musically?
Spending time on other dance floors and listening to tracks that really make you think.
We hear you guys have been in the studio recently, is there an EP or album on the way?
We’re planning to drop a new album named ‘Constellacions’ hopefully finished sometime next year, we’ve been working over time on new beats for it at the moment.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Too many; Tubular Bells for it’s epicness, Pink Floyd for it’s ambition, Elton John for less cool reasons, Bob Dylan for ego.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
No, i just prey all my shit works and shot a bit of tequila.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with?
Nick Cave, just damn cool and dark when you need him to be.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
I’ve been told love making works well, but I haven’t tried it to my own tunes before.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
Check it all out at www.tijuanacartel.com !
