Dear readers, we are pleased to offer you in this article an interview with a new Mexican band with Zeuhl and Rock In Opposition sounds. We welcome Rëlisp.
Hello, how are you?
DB: “All good, thank you very much for the invitation.“
What does the name of your band Rëlisp mean?
DB: “Rëlisp is an acronym made up of the first two letters of the words: “Renasci, Liberatĭo, Spirituālis,” , something like a spiritual liberating rebirth, in addition to being the name of the fictional Zekt that defends the monster “Relipsodor” in the oort cloud where we come from, hahaha.“
You offer a Zeuhl and R.I.O. sound. Where does your passion for these sounds come from?
DB: “For me It comes directly from the search of new sounds, and from always wanting more, at first it was difficult to understand this music that requires open and more disciplined listening, but they are the two best progressive subgenres, something really in opposition to the conventional prog and all music.“
Your debut EP “Aktïw1” was released on November 3rd, 2023 how would you describe this work?
DB: “The beginning and end of the first phase of the band, it was really very emotive to see this release after the complications it had behind hahaha.“
Three long, elaborate and very refined tracks, how does the composition of your music
take place?
DB: “The composition process was simple, “Arrakis” is a composition by Carlos Greco the Saxophonist, who arrived one day with the whole song and showed us each person’s parts, Sündïa is a composition by me and the pianist Jorge Zenteno, the second piano of this was Composed by Gauthier, “Zenösyne” is a free collective composition, the composition theme is really free in the band, everyone can come and bring their ideas, of course, without losing the essence of what we do.“
Patrick Gauthier participated in the record, what did he bring to your sound?
DB: “He brought an extra layer of density and tensions in last two songs, it was a good experience working with him, he is a good friend and Master for us, we hope to play some dates with him soon, it is already the sixth Rëlispsian hahaha.“
The artists involved come from other artistic projects, how did this new band come about?
DB: “The band was founded at the end of 2022, after I left Rostro del Sol and a punk band called Fuga Masiva. I was without a band and living very dark and sad internal duels, but one day a light of hope came when I listened the song “Hhaï” by Magma, which curiously means “To live,” so I didn’t let myself be defeated and followed the path I always wanted: ¡Zeuhl and the opposition music! . This music saved me from the abyss and I felt that I had to give an offering. Regarding the band, everything was very spontaneous, time knew how to send the right people, Greco added me for having a Magma t-shirt in my Facebook profile photo hahaha, from there the friendship began and the invitation to be part, in addition to who is also a big fan of Zeuhl, he is part of different projects focused on free improvisation, then, I contacted Mario who is the guitarist, I met him some time ago at concerts, then Jesus arrived, who is now the bassist and plays the viola on the album, in addition to the fact that is part of the Heavy Psych band “El culto del ojo rojo,” I had known Jorge the pianist so long ago and we had tried to make a band together, I met Patrick Gauthier on Facebook a couple of years ago, I knew that he was a member of magma and Weidorje, we started talking and now he is my great friend, collaborator and Master, he is really a very nice person and simple, an killer and outstanding musician. The guest musicians were people I knew from the psychedelic local scene when I played with Rostro del sol.“
Many of your fans and our readers wonder if there will be a chance to hear you live, do you have plans in this regard?
DB: “Well, we plan to do some promotional concerts next year and possibly play some dates with Patrick Gauthier around the country (Mexico) if everything goes well, for now nothing is certain, but we are focused on making next year a bomb…“
This was a great debut Ep, do you have plans for a full-length in the near future?
DB: “Yes, although first we will release another second ep and concentrate on working like that, maybe later we will think about an LP, although you know, sometimes it’s better to say a lot in a little…“
Mexico has always been among the most active countries in Latin America in the musical field, how do you see the modern scene in your country?
DB: “Well, I’m not very familiar with the music scene, I really don’t think there is a single one as such, we are not interested in being in any of them, our music is universal, there are good bands, but it’s difficult for everyone, especially the new bands.“
How difficult is it (if at all) to establish yourself in the modern music scene by proposing more sophisticated sounds like yours?
DB: “Ugh, it’s too difficult, from the beginning we have done everything by ourselves, taking the banner of rock in opposition. I think that many times the local venues to play do not meet the correct parameters to put on a good show, many times we do not receive decent or formal pay. People are not interested in attending the shows because this music has not had a good diffusion in the country, or prefer most commercial and digestible music, although sometimes they give themselves the opportunity and let themselves be surprised or simply do not understand what is happening. The public is usually people
who have long appreciated this music, or other musicians, so, you won’t see enough young people in the shows hahahaha, this is music beyond and sometimes requires a more focused attitude and as you mention “Sophisticated “, as well as a more open listening, getting rid of what is imposed, in conclusion, being a sound seeker. ¡Music needs to always be in opposition!“
What advice would you give to young artists approaching music by proposing a genre like yours?
DB: “One of our purposes is to bring more people closer to listening and creating, many times older people or those who have been listening to a musical genre for longer, alienate young people by believing they know more, which is wrong. ¡Music is for sharing, not for dividing! . So, the advice I would give for the very young people is to believe in what you do and always take it to the extreme, trust in your dreams and help others, never stop creating and sharing, practice and study the foundations and then break them, always be in opposition… ¡Perfect art does not exist!“
Do you have any other passions or artistic activities outside music?
DB: “Yes, I work, and alternate work in noizu music label and Chez Nobody Records, collect vinyl records, in addition to collecting 70s bands memorabilia, taking care of my cat and continuing to survive in this gloomy world.“
I thank Rëlisp for the interview, wishing them all the best for the continuation of their artistic career.
DB: “Thanks to you for the interview and the space, greetings to all the readers and we will see you soon…“
Read our Review here: [Review] Rëlisp – Aktïw1 EP
