Vetusta Morla

Vetusta Morla is one of Spain's most popular alternative rock bands. A simple Google search will prove that. Vetusta Morla recently released their latest album: Mismo Sito, Distinto Lugar. Not only that, but two weeks ago they released the music video for "Punto Sin Retorno", which was filmed at Hansa Studios in Berlin. The six members of the band can be seen in the video playing their perspective instruments, but as Guillermo Galvan (guitarist) mentioned in our recent interview with him, the goal throughout the album was to not sound like six people playing at the same time. At no point during the album does it sound like six people jamming out, instead it's a fantastic musical journey for the ears . 

After listening to the album several times, in different places, and at different times during the day my fondness for the album grew and I've really experienced the roller coaster of emotions that makes this album. From the up-beat song, "Palmeras En La Mancha" with it's dramatic news broadcast introduction and the chanting of "¡Uno, dos!, ¡Uno, dos!" to the more calm "Punto Sin Returno" with melancholic undertones. It's definitely one of those albums that you want to keep listening to again and again. Each song is it's own theme, it's own style, and they are really catchy! This new album is different to their previous work, but it's the type of different that has taken them to the next level. 

During a phone interview with Guillermo (guitarist), I asked him how the process of making this album differed from their previous work. It was very different. Guillermo said that, "we realized that we needed to change our whole process." That included their production and even their rehearsals. He also added that they tried to play with different points of view for the songs and "not be so direct." With that being said, I asked why they chose to name the album Mismo Sitio, Distincto Lugar since, although obvious, it can hold a different meaning for everyone. Guillermo was quick to to say that the title of the album is "a synthesis of the process. It's like going back and feeling things for the first time. At the same time, it has to do with the essence of the band." 

On that same note and going back to me mentioning that I went through a roller coaster of emotions while listening to the album, my next question had to do with their decision to order the songs the way they did and whether there was a theme to them. Guillermo mentioned that there was no specific theme. They tried to present it like "a plate of food with different flavors." Each song is different to the others and there is no specific to it. 

As the interview reached an end, I asked Guillermo how their their fans reacted to this change and the new material. My reasoning behind the question is that Vetusta Morla has been around for a while (since 1998) and it's no secret that they have a strong fan base, which continues to grow. He said, "we thought people would be concerned, but we were pleasantly surprised by people's positive reactions." 

Vetusta Morla is set to start an international tour to promote Mismo Sitio, Distincto Lugar beginning in March. They will play in several different countries and even in the famous Mexican music festival, Festival Vive Latino, which Guillermo said was exciting for them. I asked him about touring and what he likes more about it and he said that touring "opens windows" and "it's always amazing to learn from everything." 

A big thank you to Vetusta Morla! Go check them out and listen to the new album! Follow them on Instagram at vetustamorla.