Dear readers we are pleased to offer you in this article an interview with the leading Folk Prog band from Peru. We welcome Flor De Loto.
Hi, it is a real pleasure to have you among our pages, how are you?
“Good, thank you for the opportunity. Where very happy participate in this interview.“
The band was formed in the mid-1990s, how did the project come about and what memories do you have of that time?
“It’s been a long time since Alejandro and I got together for the first time to do long improvisation sessions, which would eventually give life to the songs of our first album, released 20 years ago. Since the early years we made very spontaneous music, without having a roadmap and defining our style based on what came to us very naturally.“
Proposing a sound somewhere between Andean Folk and Progressive Rock/Metal, how was your passion for these more Rock sounds born?
“Our taste for progressive metal comes from our adolescence. Bands like Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Fates Warning or Rush, have been our main references in our introduction to the world of music and still are. In my personal case, my father sings Latin American folklore and since I was a child it always caught my attention and generated in me a particular taste for that genre. I always thought that, just as European bands mixed rock with Celtic music, we also could mix Latin American folklore with it and that is how we have consolidated our identity.“
Your new album “Cosmos” was released on January 20, 2025, how would you describe this work? Vocal parts in both English and Spanish what themes do the lyrics deal with?
“In our latest albums we have had the honor of working with guest singers, who have been our idols since adolescence, such as Fabio Lione, Doogie White or Arthur Brown, so we thought that Cosmos could not be the exception. Once the participation of Mike DiMeo and Ray Alder were confirmed, we translated the lyrics of Cosmos and Crossfire into English. Still, both had the facility to make modifications and arrangements at their discretion to better accommodate the songs. And the result left us very happy.“
Your sound is full of cues and researched passages, how does the creatiuve process of your music take place?
“Our method of composition has changed a lot over the years. For this album I worked on the demos with a local producer named Enrique Fernández, who became my right hand. Together with Checho Cuadros (our quenista) we worked on the demos and arrangements for finally entering the studio in 2023 and 2024.“
Yours is a very engaging sound, will there be a chance to hear you live in the near future?
“Of course we are, we are preparing the Cosmos Tour 2025 and we are going to Europe and the UK on August of this year. Soon we will announce the confirmed dates but it is certain that we will cross the ocean again t o bring you our music, just like last year.“
How has the way of experiencing live performances changed from the 90s to today? And what has changed for you?
“Well, the band has changed a lot from the late 90s to the present. We have had many line-up changes and that has also been reflected in the evolution of our live performance. We believe that the experience of seeing and listening to our music live has been fundamental for the doors to open for us in Europe and the United States.“
The band was formed almost 30 years ago, how has your sound evolved over time?
“Precisely our sound has evolved a lot over the years, three decades have past, where we have been refining our musical identity, with the work of Checho and the fusion with hard rock and progressive being gravitating. We believe that Cosmos is a good example of how we have evolved over the last few years.“
You are definitely among the pioneers in Peru of a certain type of sound, how do you see the scene today in your country?
“In our country it is very difficult to carry out a project like ours. Despite the fact that over the years we have been gaining local recognition, there is a lack of support for music made in our country. That unfortunately causes a lot of talent to be lost. But despite them we have remained firm and trying to make the music we enjoy, without making commercial concessions to nay label or media.“
What advice would you give to young artists approaching music by proposing a sound like yours?
“The best advice I can give to someone who is just starting out, is to always try to have an identity of your own. Our producer Roy Z, who has worked with the best in the history of rock, when I met him he told me: “I receive material from many bands every day, some better, others worse than yours, but I had never heard anything like what you do, I’m interested”.“
How do you see this technological contribution, sometimes intrusive, within Rock music?
“Technology for better or for worse is a reality, as a musician one can use it to work more effectively or even to improve the song. I feel that it is the responsibility of each one of us to use it wisely. So far I have not heard anything that 100% replaces human creativity.“
Do you have any other artistic activities or passions outside of music?
“Currently in the band Checho (quena) and Diego (keyboard) are the ones who dedicate themselves full time to music. In my case I am a psychoanalyst but I feel that in some way, that is present in the lyrics and compositions that I do for the band.“
I thank the band for the interview, wishing them the best in the promotion of the new album and the continuation of their artistic career.
“Thank you for the interview.“
Purchase their new album “Cosmos” on Bandcamp: https://flordeloto.bandcamp.com/album/cosmos
Read out Review of their new album “Cosmos” here: [Review] Flor De Loto – Cosmos