lanzallamas are on fire
Lanzallamas Monofonica played at Transit Lounge on Saturday night, we went to check out Suenalo, but as soon as Lanzallamas took the stage with a violinist in a red maxi dress, a singer/guitar player in jeans with studded gold wings embellished on them, and a singer/percussionist who was so darn cute the whole audience had a crush on her- as soon as she started to shake her maracas I knew it was that distinctly Miami sound that miami nice is all about. They sang in multiple languages (Spanish, English, Portuguese and Serbian) and everyone was dancing along to the "Afro-Latin-America-World Beat Mezcla" and I knew I had to stalk them after for an interview:
Fabi: The name of the band is Lanzallamas Monofonica and in English it translates to monophonic fire throwers, or flame throwers, and the band was formed in 2006. I put the band together and kind of came by itself; it pieced itself together. We were all on the scene playing in different bands. First I got together with the bass player and then people started gravitating towards the band. It's already been a couple of generations since that time and the new generation of the band right now is actually the most mature that we've had- the same thing, it just kind of pieced together. We have people that have played in Suenalo, Experimento, Locos Por Juana, but then we put together Lanzallamas.
Before we continue can you tell me your name, what your part is in the band, and how many instruments you play?
Fabi: My name is Fabi Patino from Mexico City and I play electric guitar, Venezuelan cuatro, timbales, and I sing.
Cintia: My name is Cintia Lovo I'm from Medellin, Colombia I play minor percussion, like maracas, guacharaca, guiro, shaker, pandereta-
You have a whole list-
Cintia: (laughing) percusion, percussion instruments and I sing and I dance in the band and I compose.
How long have you been living in Miami? How do you guys consider yourself a part of the local scene? What's your place within Suenalo and that whole family of music?
Cintia: Well, I moved to this country, specifically to Miami in 2001, so I've been here nine years. I was lucky to be connected to the local Miami scene, like the musical scene, by a friend from Colombia. So, he connected me to all of these great musicians and I started singing at gigs and then people start listening to each other and you start getting together and start doing projects together.
Fabi: I've been in Miami since '93 and the beginnings of- for me- the beginnings of all this Miami music and movement sprouted from the Monkey Village and that was a house where we would all get together to jam and play, and out of that house many bands sprouted and came about, like Suenalo, like Jean P. Jams, Jesse Jackson, Michelle Forman... and then from there on it all started. I was in Suenalo for five years as a drummer and then as a front man and then I deviated to do Lanzallamas and in those transitions we've shared musicians, you know like some musicians from Suenalo play in this band and vice-versa. We keep it as a family, to celebrate that unity.
To me, as an outsider, it seems like there's something really special going on in the Miami music scene and it's this whole "family" thing that you're talking about. To hear you guys talk about how you've all been a part of each others music, and really know each other, and play together- it's so positive.
Cintia: It's really like a phenomenon that's happening here and it's the birth of a new musical genre and it's a specifically Miami thing.
I'm so happy to hear that that's really what's happening and it's not just a story I've made up.
Ok, this is kind of a silly question, but miami nice is like half Miami fashion publication and half everything else. Do you guys talk about ahead of time what you're going to wear, what you're going to look like, the image that you are going to project?
Cintia: It's both. We do both. Sometimes we try to coordinate like a theme for the night, but sometimes we just, you know, whatever each person is feeling and each person is an individual with an artistic voice. So, everybody dresses themselves differently.
Did you guys talk about it tonight?
Fabi: (laughing) Tonight was whatever goes.
Because there are some bold fashion statements being made here you know? Bandage dresses, pants with studs-
Fabi: --and wings. You definitely think about it, especially being here. Honestly, it does effect when you think about "Oh, let me wear something that, you know." And the city allows it, I mean you can really go crazy.
Everybody thinks about it whether or not they want to admit it. You have to look like what you want people to think you are.
Cintia: Especially as a performer, you have to really think about that and you have to look nice, and you have to be entertaining, entertaining for the eye, for the ear, for every sense.
Thank you guys so much for talking to miami nice--
Fabi: Thank you, and if I can say- if you can make a note: We're having a show at the Miami Museum of Science Planetarium on August 21st.
Those laser light shows that they do there are awesome and it's great to hear that they won't just have Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, and Bob Marley, but that they're going to have live music now.
Fabi: --and an open bar from 8-9:30. Free food. Free appetizers by Transit Lounge. Two songs for download from our upcoming CD. Free parking.
I can't wait. I'll be there, miami nice will be there, you'll be there. Thanks for talking to us, bye guys.