Fesway uses unlikely instruments to craft their experimental pop — catch them at El Camino March 13.
When you take Fernando Arias, Sofia Orozco and Yolihuani Curiel out of Guadalajara’s eclectic band Radaid, you get a sexy hybrid band called Fesway. Radaid is already known for their seamless blend of Middle Eastern, Asian and Latin sounds — but with their newly formed band we get a whole new sound.
Fesway is blast of experimental pop, fused with a disciplined playfulness using unlikely instruments like megaphone, kazoo, an electric cable hose and even a squeaky chicken toy named, “Doris.” Frontwoman, Sofia Orozco, is challenging audiences to rethink how music is made by singing in Spanglish and simultaneously producing on-the-spot recordings using a looping station [which records sounds on-the-fly and repeats/manipulates them at the user’s discretion] during performances. They’re definitely this week’s band to check out. Find out more about this gorgeous electro-pop trio and their exciting Spanish bilingual debut album, Alas y Garras. Dita Quinones: There are some incredible bands coming out of Guadalajara. Why do you think that is? Yolihuani Curiel: Guadalajara’s audience is very difficult to satisfy because they appreciate foreign artists more than local musicians. Our city’s hard market tests and motivates local artists to compose better music. This happens not only in the music scene, but it’s also in theater, film and stop-motion animation industry.
DQ: Fesway is comprised of members from Radaid. What was the initial reason to become Fesway? YC: We wanted to express things that we couldn’t with Radaid. Also, we as musicians, wanted to explore different sounds and go back to basics — from Radaid’s Middle East classical instruments and music fusion to just electric guitar, drums and voice, mixed with our electronic touch.
DQ: Can you explain the naming of the band? YC: The meaning is very simple. It means the romantic idea of the three of us: Fernando, Sofia and Yolihuani making music. This is how we invented the word “Fesway” by using the initials of our first names.
DQ: I enjoyed the performance you gave in San Ysidro — using kazoos and Sofia’s squeaky chicken toy, “Doris.” What inspired the use of these instruments? YC: The search for new sound textures is the reason why we are experiencing with these new instruments. DQ: When did Sofia start using the voice looping station and why? Sofia Orozco: It all started about seven years ago when I started making music using my computer. Back then, I only had my voice as an instrument. Using the looping station is how I can incorporate more into our music.
DQ: What do you want people to know most about the producing of Alas y Garras? YC: It’s an album of contrasts, reality and duality. This can be appreciated in our album’s music, art and lyrics. This is an independent production produced by Alvaro Arce. DQ: Amoeba Records is a classic record store housing the best in music. Which music category would you want them to file Alas y Garras under? YC: It’s difficult to catalogue it, but if we had to choose one category it would be Alternative/Indie Rock Pop.
DQ: I love to ask every musician this: Who is your favorite rapper? Fernando Arias: Snoop Dogg. YC: Eminem. SO: Sierra Casady of CocoRosie.
Fesway will perform at San Diego’s El Camino on March 13, and headline at Tijuana’s Black Box the following day, March 14. Don’t worry Radaid fans, Fesway will re-join the band on March 30 at the mega music festival Vive Latino. “Like” Fesway on Facebook for more info. Listen to Alas y Garras here.