Photo by Natalie Bojorquez/FIUSM
Junette Reyes/Entertainment Director
In collaboration with WRGP Radiate FM’s program titled Local Radiation, FIUSM has had the chance to interview several up-and-coming as well as established acts in the Miami scene. Some of these artists include Panic Bomber, Smurphio from the local electronic funk band known as Afrobeta, Jean Jacket, The Cornerstoners, Flight Williams from the collective rap group known as Outta This World, Juan Turros and Michelle Forman of ¡Suénalo!, DJ and producer Jesse Perez, The Halfways, and Millionyoung.
This time around, FIUSM got to sit down and interview lead vocalist and guitarist Juan Rozas of the local rock band named Tremends. Tremends is additionally made up of drummer Alejo Rozas and bassist Alex Posada.
How and when did Tremends form as a band?
Juan: Since we’ve been playing like we are now, a three piece band, since 2012. But a little bit before, a year in a half before when we were forming, we played with more friends. We were five at some point, at some point we were six, then four and now we’re three. The way it works, I think we’re very well connected. We’ve known each other for a while and we understand each other fast. For sure, it eliminates a lot of issues, drama whatever, too many opinions and you get slower. The three of us, we almost don’t have to talk. We know where we’re going. Although playing with the people we used to play before was very nice, we are now simplified. It’s like less luggage; you get a bag and you go. That’s how I see it, less weight.
How do you come together as a band to write your music?
Juan: Most of it started with Alejo, who is playing drums. Before he was playing bass and played guitar for a while. And me, we do most of the writing of the songs. Alex, she’s now playing bass. At the beginning, we had the idea that she was going to play drums. Which she does now in a couple of songs. She’s starting to put her input little by little. She’s a little shy but now that we’re three, it’s easier for her to input. It’s almost there that she’s going to come up with a song. I know she has something to show.
How do you guys work during live performances?
Juan: It’s very simple. How I took it once we simplified it, with the gear we use and everything, it is the bare minimum. I just have a distortion pedal and a delay. My guitar is very simple. From that, we kind of work it with the minimum trying to make something happen. The three of us are very raw and simple. Now and for the festival, there is a friend that is here temporarily and has played with us at the last two gigs, he’s playing with a controller and computer adding little noises and sounds. That’s temporary but we like experimenting. Basically, the band is very simple: the drum, the bass and the guitars and playing with the vocals.
Do you improvise during live performances?
Juan: It depends. Lately, not so much. We have half an hour, we take the set and that’s it. But we’re open for that. We like it.
Since the band has gradually decreased in size over the years since the formation, how do you make up for the lack of fullness in the sound?
Juan: It has been a year, so it gets full. At the beginning it’s very raw, very simple. It’s very enjoyable actually. When you go from five people to just three, it’s just the bones. But it gets full on its own.
Do you have any new material coming out soon?
Juan: We are working on an EP. We are recording five songs. We’re bilingual, so we’re doing four songs that are in English and one in Spanish. We have a friend producing, Martin Chan. He used to play in Volumen Zero. We’ve been friends for a while, for many years. I’ve always wanted to do something with him and now through Dean, our manager, we got to talk professionally. With your friends, you want to do something with your friend and sometimes you do, but sometimes everyone goes their own way and does their own thing. But to really focus on professional work, sometimes it’s not that easy. So Dean finally got us together and I’m really happy. I’ve wanted to work with him for a while and he’s a beast producing. He’s really good. He’s producing a little more musically. We come with a song and he’s been adding his own creativity and input, which we’re very happy that he is doing that. I’m super happy with what’s going on. Now it’s ready for the mixing and mastering. I can’t wait for that to be ready.
How did you get involved in the TransAtlantic Festival?
Juan: Well, this is also again through Dean, our manager. He got us in the festival and we are super happy with the bands. Before, we were going to play on Friday with Esteman from Colombia and Astro from Chile. I was very in love with that idea and I wanted to meet the guys from Astor but then we changed from Friday to Saturday. Afrobeta is also opening. They were playing Friday but then we switched. Now they’re playing Friday and we’re playing Saturday. I’m super happy about that too because we’re playing with Courtney John Project and Bombino, which I love. I love the place. The place is right next to the ocean, it’s like a little amphitheater. To start off with, I love Miami. I love the ocean and the moon and the huge beautiful clouds and to be playing right there, the feeling is just great. And the mystique of these bands, like Bombino’s music, I love, it just transports you. I’m very happy to be opening that night.
Is the city an influence to your music?
Juan: I didn’t realize how strong of an influence it has been. Because if I think about it, I wrote this song here and I wrote this song there. But every place where I wrote a song, it was in Miami. I had another band before and we travelled and maybe I wrote a song in Spain or here and there but most of the songs are from Miami and inspired here. It was Miami inspired. Not Miami but the mystique of the place. I think it’s because the ocean is too strong, the huge full moon when it comes out. I think it has had a lot of an influence with us. Musically, absolutely.
What do you think about the audience in Miami?
Juan: Great. The audience is great here in Miami. I’ve played with other bands before. I’ve seen it before Tremends, something was happening. The vibe. Bands were getting really good and fun and the people were getting really into music. They always were but not so many people. Now there’s more people going out there to see more people live.
And what do you think about the local scene and other bands as a whole?
Juan: It is very supportive. There is good and healthy communication and friendship between the bands. Very good, actually. Usually when you play, most of the people watching the bands are other bands. We find that everyone is into arts but so many of these other bands and their friends, we become friends. They’re really supportive of each other. There’s good collaboration there. We’re open to that. There are things happening. Collaborations and friendship. Right now, it’s a nice moment.
junette.reyes@fiusm.com
About Post Author
