Hey Fuzzers, here’s our first edition of the new “Meet the labels” section. The main idea is to spread the word about some of the labels that are part of the fuzzy scene, get to know the people behind them, their vision of the scene, the bands they’re representing, etc…
For this first edition, we interviewed Arturo Quispe Velarde from Peruvian label Necio Records. Arturo not only does an excellent work promoting the underground Latin American scene, he’s also an active member of some of Perú’s most interesting bands, like Cholo Visceral, Spatial Moods, The Terrorist Collective, Aspid Orkesträ, among others. Hope you like it!
Quick links :
- Interview with Arturo from Necio Records
- Some Necio Records releases we recommend
- Necio Records Giveaway : Win CDs & Bandcamp codes
Interview with Arturo from Necio Records
Arturo playing drums with his band Cholo Visceral
1) Hi Arturo, nice to meet you. How are you doing today?
Hello Hector. Very well, at home, working and always putting together the next projects. Thank you very much for the interview and the space you are giving me.
2) You are the owner and chief of operations of Necio Records. Could you tell us briefly the history of the label?
Necio Records began 2013 with the help of 2 more friends: Israel Tenor and Joao Orosco. Basically, it was created to publish our works in some king format, be it CD-r, CD or Cassette (thinking about vinyl in those days was a dream for us). The label was oriented to progressive rock, psychedelic, doom and experimental. With the time passing, each one of them retired from the project and I was left alone, at least for a good stretch. 2016 and 2017 were years full of releases and concerts without stopping. In 2017 festivals Circuito Undercaos, Undercaos Festival, Sur-Terráneos were created and we celebrated the label’s 4th year in 2 consecutive dates. In 2018, we are still writing our story. We held a third edition of the FESTIVAL UNDERCAOS, in fact a very good one, we continued making releases of South American bands and we’ve premiered as concert promoters bands like Earthless. Finally, I must say that the label’s success and growth is largely due to the work we have done together with visual artist Rodrigo Mori Franco, he’s responsible for the artwork of albums covers from Cholo Visceral, Spatial Moods, posters for Sur-Terráneos fest, 2nd and 3rd editions of Festival Undercaos, Necio Records’ 4th year anniversary party, Earthless’ Lima show and more. His work gave us a visual identity as a record label.
3) What were the reasons that motivated you to start the label?
As I said in the previous question, it was to be able to publish our works in any format. A lot of this happened because there were labels that were not interested in our music and well, it was just to do it yourself.
4) What was the first release of the label?
It was “Rigel Kentaur” by Rapa Nui, a band that I formed in 2012. Until now, I keep a copy of that edition for the archive.
5) How many albums have you released so far?
31 on CD, 5 on cassette and 2 on vinyl.
6) Do you have a favourite album among all you have released so far?
I do not have a favourite in general because I love them all and I always listen to them on my player, but I could say that I felt lucky to be able to publish an album of the legend that is Acid Mothers Temple. A band that I have been following for a long time and sincerely I never thought that I would get to publish, moreover, I never thought I would have a label or something like that haha.
7) If you could include a band as part of the label’s roster, which one would it be? Why?
Many of those bands will already be part of the label from 2019 but for now, I will keep the names to myself. TOP SECRET
8) What format do you prefer for your productions? CD, Vinyl or Cassette?
The 3 formats. This always allows us to reach different people who by choice, always prefer one or another. It is better to have the 3 so we can give them the possibility of acquiring it in the format of their preference.
9) What recommendation would you give to that person who is thinking of starting a record label?
That you put enough effort and dedication. You have to know that you have to fail 1000 times to be able to see results. That you love the bands, you need to be sincere about the music that they are granting them, to believe with them, to support them in their way. A label is not only releasing bands’ albums but should be the link to support them in all possible ways and for that, you have to work hard. Yes, trust is everything and is the fundamental basis of the independent circuit. My opinion and advice, of course.
10) Finally, could you give us your opinion and balance of the current stoner / psych / doom scene?
Each country has its own circuit. These are connecting to each other, either by their own will of the bands, by promoters who manage their passages in different cultural backgrounds, Independent Festivals and finally, by people who bet from their pockets for this to happen. I think the scene in Latin America is thriving. We have for example in Chile, Woodstaco Festival, Electric Ritual, Laguna Mental Festival, etc. In Argentina, there are the Anti-ego Festival, Viaje de Agua, Festi Terror, etc. Here in Peru you have the Festival Undercaos, Lima Doom, Integrations, Radiation, etc. On the other hand, production companies such as Red House, Abraxas in Brazil, Noiseground, etc., feed this push by bringing bands from the world stage and, in turn, sharing the stage with local bands. This reinforces the independent scene much more.
11) Thank you very much Arturo. All the best for you and your projects in the future.
Again, thanks for the interview, the space and I want to send a greeting to all my team: Rodrigo, Claudia, Angie and Ivanna.
Some Necio Records releases we recommend
As for the near future, the label is working on vinyl editions of The Underground Parties and Aspid Orkesträ which will be available by the end of the year. So you can tell Arturo has been quite busy promoting the South American underground scene. Now I want to tell you briefly about some of the label’s recent releases which, happens to be, are among my favorites:
Culto al Qóndor – Templos
For fans of: Electric Moon, Øresund Space Collective, Cholo Visceral, k., Pyramidal
Veterans of the scene, this trio was active between 2003 and 2005, and then they reunited in 2017 to play in the first edition of Festival Undercaos. The band consists of Dolmo (guitars and effects), Aldo Castillejos (drums and percussions) and Chino Burga (bass and drones). They are also members of other bands of the Peruvian scene, including La IrA de Dios, 3 AM and Serpentine Satelite. Finally, they released their debut album, Templos, this year, which consists of four lengthy tracks of Space Rock with elements of Heavy Psych and Drone.
Rito Verdugo – Cosmos
For fans of: Red Sun Atacama, The Heavy Minds, Demonauta, Kayros, Savanah, The Heavy Eyes
New band from Perú, formed by Rodrigo Chávez Garcés (guitars and vocals), Carlos Del Castillo (bass), Alvaro Gonzales (guitars) and Luis Rodríguez Chávez (drums). They play fuzzy Stoner Rock that doesn’t sound like the tons of Kyuss’ clones circulating in the scene thanks to the incorporation of Heavy Psych and Garage Rock elements. The trio released their debut a few weeks ago, showing a bright future for the Latin American underground scene. Cosmos is an excellent choice if you’re looking to raise the temperature of your Stoner party.
The Slow Voyage – Time Lapse
For fans of:: Vago Sagrado, Mantra Machine, Naxatras, Craang, Yawning Man, Hijo De La Tormenta
Chilean band formed in 2013, their current members include Freddy (guitars and vocals), Rodrigo (guitars and vocals), Camila (bass) and Mauricio (drums). Time Lapse, their debut album, was released by the end of 2017, the album is strongly anchored in the sounds of the Psychedelic Rock scene of the late 60’s, so you can expect some jams and chilling music, the perfect soundtrack companion to relax and enjoy the trip.
La IrA De Dios – Hacia El Sol Rojo
For fans of: Radio Moscow, Minami Deutsch, Somali Yacht Club, Libido Fuzz, Black Rainbows
Another veteran band from the Peruvian scene, consists of Chino Burga (guitars and vocals), Alí (bass), Tito (drums). For this records they invited Juanjo Salazar to play keaboards on They’ve been making music since 2001. Hacia El Sol Rojo is their debut album, released in 2005 thru German label Nasoni Records, and now Necio Records reissue the album a couple of months ago. This band not to be missed if you like extended jams with elements of Heavy Psych, Punk Rock and Krautrock.
Ancestro – El Gran Altar
For fans of: Mother Engine, El Jefazo, dejalosangrar, Saturno Grooves, Decasia
This Peruvian trio is one of the new promises of the Latin American Stoner scene. Formed in 2015 the band consists of Boris Baltodano (bass), Diego Cartulin (guitars) and Víctor Garcia (drums). El Gran Altar is their sophomore release, it’s an album that shows a band that has mature and perfected the musical proposal presented in El Regreso De Los Brujos a couple of years ago. This is the perfect experience for those who are into instrumental Stoner Rock with a strong presence of fuzz distortions.
The Underground Parties – Will Death Let Us Scream Like Now?
For fans of: The Doors, Cocteau Twins, Spiritualized, Familia De Lobos, Sergio Ch
A new band from Perú, featuring Chino Burga from La IrA De Dios (guitars and echoes), Diego Valdivia (vocals), Noelia Cabrera (keyboards, chants and oscillations) and Delson Bao (drums and percussions). This is their debut album and it’s an excellent mix of Post-Punk, Heavy Psych and Post-Rock. You can tell that their proposal is strongly anchored in the Californian music scene of the late 60’s with some ritualistic and ethereal approaches.
Necio Records Giveaway
Win CDs & Bandcamp download codes !
If you like what you heard from Necio Records, here is your chance to get some nice prizes with this giveaway just below !
There will be 3 winners chosen randomly :
1st prize : 10 CDs from Necio Records
2nd prize : 5 CDs from Necio Records
3rd prize : 8 Bandcamp download codes
Enter the giveaway with a valid email or social account.
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