Mexico City-based electronic duo Marbeya Sound seem to be pulled across time between the analog synth aesthetic of kraut rock progenitors Can and Faust and the more modern, motherboard-centric experiments of artists like Lindstrom and Studio. Much like Marbeya Sound’s own unpredictable and spontaneous rhythms, the band’s formation can be chalked up to a series of happy coincidences – all leading up to a chance encounter in the lobby of a hotel on the coast of Acapulco. Discovering that they both had a love of Cold War-era synthesizers and the need to incorporate the thematic aspects of space and water in their music (which they found themselves surrounded by at that particular time), the duo began fashioning their own unique electronic aesthetic. But soon they moved back to the bustling Roma district of Mexico City and began recording what would eventually form the basis of their recently released debut LP, Colonies.
MARBEYA SOUND – ¨SEMANTIC DRIFT ¨ [OFFICIAL VIDEO] from HELLOITO on Vimeo.
An instrumental album, Colonies finds the duo creating entire worlds out of electronic ephemera and vintage circuit boards. Utilizing up to 80 channels in a single track, they create dense, cinematic expanses of wired landscapes, where artists like Pink Floyd, Neu!, and Jean Michel Jarre take up permanent residence. But there is more to Marbeya Sound’s music that unspooling rhythms and kraut rock influences. The duo invests each track with a deliberate pensiveness – an anticipatory reflex, where each subsequent sound evokes feelings of inevitability and the desire to dig further into this electronic mire. And recently, the duo took some time to offer Beats Per Minute a guided tour through some of the albums which have helped to shape the recording ofColonies. There’s no shortage of obvious choices, such as Brian Eno and Can, but the band digs deeper into their influences to include more ambiguous influences such as Droids and The Alan Parsons Project. Check out their full list below in the latest installment of our On Deck series.
Brian Eno – Apollo (Atmospheres & Soundtracks)
There is nothing more spacey than Brian Eno’s Apollo album. This album is pure relaxation, floating in empty space. If we ended up being stranded in space along with this album playing on some headphones and there is no rescue I’m pretty sure there wouldn’t be any panicking, just enjoy the scenery and the accompanying jams. Also, although cliche no one in the world can deny that ‘An ending (Ascent)’ is one of the most emotional tracks of all time.
Studio – West Coast
Shit, we love this album. The first time we heard Studio everything changed. The sound of their drums ,the guitar, the bass… everything was so pronounced. They had a way of mixing their tracks that was unique and elegant. I can’t think of a better album to enjoy a sunny day at the beach. We still rock that album when we want to cheer people up, it always works!
The Alan Parsons Project – The Definitive Collection
What do you want to listen to? Rhodes, a chorus, synths, flutes, distortion, ambient? Its all in this album. Definitly some tracks are better than others but we couldn’t say just one album from Alan parsons project because there are some hidden jewels in almost every album he released back in the 80’s. Some tracks that stand out for us are ‘Mammagamma’ | ‘Voyager’ | ‘Lucifer’ | ‘Sirius’.
Droids – Star Peace
This is analog synth heaven. A complete adventure through unknown territories, alien experiences and all that good stuff. Let me put it simple, if you let the music transport you it’s amazing where it can take you. All you have to do is let go and stop being in the present, If there is anything we would love to tell our listeners is that. Just let go, let the music do the rest…. That sounded cheesy but we’re serious.
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Lindstrom & Prins Thomas – Reinterpretations
Musically this record has all the right elements. Good rhythm, great synth lines, fantastic guitar sound and the right influences. The great thing about this album is that it has imperfections that make it even more perfect, something prins thomas is really good at. Add the great maestro lindstrøm to the mix and it couldn’t get any better than this. Obviously those 2 have been listened to throughout our whole musical journey since they started producing.
Can – Ege Bamyasi
For our final album, its an album many of you already have lived at one point in your life. Of coarse Can was one of the core founders of krautrock sound and always did whatever the f@*! they wanted musically blah blah blah, but one of thing that makes Can distinguish from the rest is Damo Suzuki’s vocals. This album is a great example of what Damo and the rest of the band was capable of. Although this album doesn’t define what people understand as the exclusive krautrock sound, Krautrock is a genre that allows you to express yourself with undefined parameters. Its a genre that has a multitude of influences therefor its not a sound that encloses one specific sound. You’re free to listen and create what you want!
Marbeya Sound’s debut album, Colonies, is out now.
