Backstage With Babasonicos

Expectations were through the roof as I stood in line waiting to get in. it was definitely a weird set up; wooden tables in the middle of the dance floor made Kukaramakara look cluttered. People were sitting and chatting like it was a picnic on a Sunday afternoon, but the music set a different tone. The DJ was spinning some familiar south American tunes and it was a nice atmosphere, which I did not expect out of a Colombian club, sorry!

I had made my way to one of the guys from the crew and told him about my intentions of sitting down with the band to have a quick chat, he took my card and said I might be able to after the show. I was a woman with a mission.

Needless to say, the show was beyond amazing. Babasonicos sounded great, better than ever, and with that classic badass attitude that they exude. The set list consisted of mostly newer songs, but I was surprised to hear their classic “Seis Virgenes Descalzas” (or six barefoot virgins). Opening with Cuello Rojo from their latest album, Mucho, they started off with great energy and made us dance from the get-go. Considering I wasn’t at my usual concert alcohol levels, it was amazing.

During the show, I had set myself directly in front of the stage, right in the middle. I could have smelled their sweat, if I had tried, that is.  When the show ended, Mariano, the guitarist, approached me and asked if my name was Barbie. I nodded, shocked, but I tried to keep it together. One of the crewmembers approached me and told me he would take me backstage for an interview. Ten minutes and a backstage wristband later, there I was: smoking cigarettes with Babasonicos, my favorite South American band.

This is my attempt to explain the oddness of the situation. There were girls everywhere, alcohol, and equipment being moved back and forth. I sat down and chatted with them about fans, travel, music, and fashion. I sat with lead singer Adrian Dargelos, Mariano “Roger” Dominguez, Diego “Uma-T” Tuñon, and Carca, and went on and on for about two whole hours, while the rest of the band walked around the place.

One of the first things I noticed was that there were no more camera flashes in the room. I then learned that it somehow bothered some of the guys in the band that people would only take pictures or record videos from the show… for them, it is all about living the moment through your eyes, not a screen. I agreed. Besides, how else would you enjoy the hypnotizing music and moves if you were living it through a lens?

I asked guitarist, Mariano “Roger” Dominguez, how the tour had been so far. He said that he was happy to have toured again, but that playing 40 cities in 90 days is exhausting. Miami was their last stop in the US, and they are playing in Chile in a few days.

For those who know about the beginnings of Babasonicos, the band started off with a very experimental sound, which made people label them as indie music, or new wave. It was after their album Jessico, that they reached a mainstream fan base. Mariano discussed how people now accuse them of selling out, but then I looked around the room and thought, if selling out allows you to travel the world, play for a crowd, and party? Why not? If it pays the bills…

They explained how they are humbled every time they visit the US. This is not their turf. Apparently, they are allowed to go all out in South America while touring, but being in this country is different. They have yet to break through the American market. This topic made me drift off to the more personal questions and fans. What was it about them that made the girls want to tear their clothes off for them?

It seemed like every guy in the room was chatting some girl up. There was something about this group of Argentine men that drove us nuts, not going to lie. Somehow, though, it didn’t seem as if the guys were all trying to find a female companion for their last night in Miami. As I looked over to say hi to a friend, I asked Diego “Uma-T Tuñon (keyboards), why he hadn’t stopped dancing throughout the show. He joked around and said that he enjoys dancing more than playing. He was definitely the funkiest looking guy out of the bunch.

I began to talk about music. Being a huge Depeche Mode fan, I brought the subject up. As some of you might know, DM is performing this Saturday, September 5^th. Mariano enlightened me and told me which album he liked the most (Ultra) and that they opened for Depeche Mode, along with INXS and Soul Asylum, in Argentina back in 1994. He said that everyone hated them. Funny how things work, right?

In the middle of the show, I had typed up the name of one of their songs on my phone: PARAGUAYANA. I got his attention while he was playing; he came up to me and read what I had written. He then told me that he thought it was hilarious. I guess I had managed to amuse him by wanting them to play one of my favorite songs… Mariano said it was an old song, that somehow, they might have forgotten how to play it.

After that, I was the one answering the questions. How long ago did I leave Argentina? Who do I live with here? Do I ever go back? It seemed surreal to be hanging out with the guys that give a soundtrack to my life.  I explained that I am a fashion design student, that I work retail besides interviewing people backstage (and write about fashion) for Life.is.

The conversation turned to fashion. Babasonicos stopped by The Webster. They said they were mesmerized: so many cool clothes, so expensive. I told them that it was pretty much the most exclusive boutique in Miami.

It was getting late, I was exhausted but wanted to keep chatting with the band. When some girl walked in to have the boys sign some underwear she had bought, the guys seemed a little put off. Mariano whispered saying she had made him sign eight of those already.

I offered to take them on a night out on the town, but, apparently, their entourage was too big to try to organize anything. Wanting to spend more time with them, I sadly hugged them goodbye. I knew I had gotten what I wanted. My goal of stepping backstage had been accomplished and it was time go home.

Here is the complete set list for those crazy fans, like me:

Cuello Rojo

El Idolo

El Colmo

Las Demas

Como Eran Las Cosas

Seis Virgenes Descalzas

Pijamas

Yo Anuncio

Irresponsables

Carismatico

Yegua

Pendejo

Asi Se Habla

Y Que?

Putita

Estoy Rabioso

Microdancing

Encore included Risa and Sin Mi Diablo.