Asi Somos

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Asi Somos are a band from Puerto Rico who incorporate afro-Caribbean jazz, rumba, reggae, folk, and Puerto Rican pop in an energetic and highly percussive blend of modern progressive folk. The band's origins date to 2000, where family members Cecilio, Ismar. Duamed and Orlando formed a group to play festivals and events around the island and neighboring areas.
I got in touch with the band and they replied with this interview.

--------------------------------------------------

When was Así
Somos formed and do you have any background from other bands?

Así
Somos was formed in 2000. Every musician has had previous
experiences and backgrounds from other bands and ensembles. The
drummer began in the Indie Rock scene (circa ’98) in Puerto Rico
with a band called Kapá Prieto. As music students
(Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music)
the saxophonist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist and violinist
attended and enrolled in the school’s wind ensemble and chamber
orchestra, respectively.

Which bands
were you influenced by?

As
every musician, influences have an important impact in his musical
career development. Therefore, in Así Somos each member has his
particular bands, artists and music composers influences. However,
as a collective, and in this moment (2010) we can summarize these
influences in:

Rock
(Maná, Fiel a La Vega, Dave Matthews Band, Dream Theater, Symphony
X, Rush)

Reggae
(Bob Marley, Cultura Profética)

Jazz
(Paquito D’ Rivera, Michel Camilo, Giovanni Hidalgo, Michael
Brecker, Pat Matheny, Miguel Zenón, Paoli Mejías, Jerry Medina)

Pop Music
(Juan Luis Guerra, Ojos de Brujo, Eros Ramazotti , Alejandro Sanz)

Orchestral
music
(Brahms, John Williams, Wagner, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky,
Stravinsky, Mahler, etc.)

To
start with; please
give me your (long or brief) thoughts and lowdowns on...

Injurias
from 2002

Our first CD “Injurias” was the
result of putting together the influences that over the years each
one of the members had developed independently. Definitely, it
resulted in the evolution of Así Somos’ signature sound concept,
which has persisted since then.

Silencio
from 2007

Our
second CD “Silencio” was the result of an ambitious and
conceptual composing outreach. The lyrics, highly metaphorized,
responded to an eclectic point of view of Puerto Rico’s
socio-political, ecological reality, and our inspiration fundaments
(beloved ones relations, happiness, etc.) needed as an artist in
order to produce.

The
music was composed and arranged responding to the lyrics. The strong
influence of the formal academic musical studies is evident in the
development of the orchestral and choral arrangements. This is
noticeable on the very first theme “Paragorn”. The instrumental
composition was realized thinking of presenting the Así Somos’
musical evolution since “Injurias”, and to introduce the sound
concept of “Silencio” as production. Then, each song has its own
“voice” inside the whole concept.

Also, in “Silencio” is presented
the latin percussion as one of Así Somos’ core instruments.

What is the
latest update on your band and what are your plans for the rest of
this year?

At this moment, we are not working in
a new CD. We have new lyrics written, but no music has been composed
yet. This task will be realized in the near future.

Meanwhile,
some Así Somos’ members are recording a CD of Puerto Rican and
Caribbean music, as an acoustic quintet project called “Nueva
Canción”. This project includes: acoustic Spanish guitar, vocals,
violin, saxophone, flute, bass and percussion.

Also,
Así Somos was selected for making and recording the music of a
documental short film, related to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The short film promotes the
Caribbean reef corals and marine ecosystems conservation. It will be
presented in all flights and cruise ships coming to Puerto Rico and
the US Virgin Islands.

How is the
writing and creative processes in your band ?

The
lyrics have been written by former backup vocalist, (at present, Así
Somos’ manager) Cecilio Colón-Guzmán. Then, lead vocalist Ismar
Colón-Carrión composes the lead sheet of the song (Voice melody,
Metric, Rhythm, Chords, etc.). The instrumental melodies are
developed principally by the saxophonist and the violinist, Saviel
Cartagena-Acevedo and Duamed Colón-Carrión, respectively.

After the music is composed and
arranged, the other members contribute on the overall arrangement and
implementation of the musical ideas that arise in rehearsals.

How would you
describe your music and which bands would you compare your music
with?

We
describe our music as Progressive
Trova-Fusion
as there are different musical elements incorporated, which are the
result of all the influences of artists mentioned above.

I know about
Ongo and a couple of death metal bands from Puerto Rico. But I am not
aware of a folk rock scene. Please tell us more about Puerto Rico and
the music scene in Puerto Rico.

The music scene in Puerto Rico is
pretty diverse. You will have in a same music festival a rock band,
a salsa ensemble, a folkloric ensemble, a Hip Hop or Reguetón
performer. So, actually that’s pretty nice!

But
in general, as in almost everywhere, what is on radio is what most
people in general get identified.

How
easy/difficult is it to get gigs and to promote and distribute your
records?

As commented above, it depends on
which audience are you pointing out. But in general, a commercial
music ensemble will have less difficulty getting gigs and
distributing their records, than a group like Así Somos. However,
Así Somos is receiving a solid response from that audience that
presence a live show. Their comments really demonstrate that Así
Somos’ music is winning its right place in Puerto Rico’s music
history.

From where
can your albums be purchased?

Our
records can be purchased at:

http://grupoasisomos.com/tienda.html

CDBaby.com:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/asisomos
for SILENCIO

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/asisomos2
for INJURIAS

iTunes.com

Anything
you want to add to this interview?

We
would be honored to hear from colleague listeners in Progarchives,
in order to keep passing the word that here in Puerto Rico the
progressive music is alive.

Thank
you,

Así
Somos
November
10^th,
2010

Thank you to Asi Somos for this interview

Their PA profile is here and their homepage here

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toroddfuglesteg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Retired Joined: March 04 2008 Location: Retirement Home Status: Offline Points: 3658	Topic: Asi Somos Posted: November 12 2010 at 14:02
	Asi Somos are a band from Puerto Rico who incorporate afro-Caribbean jazz, rumba, reggae, folk, and Puerto Rican pop in an energetic and highly percussive blend of modern progressive folk. The band's origins date to 2000, where family members Cecilio, Ismar. Duamed and Orlando formed a group to play festivals and events around the island and neighboring areas. I got in touch with the band and they replied with this interview. -------------------------------------------------- When was Así Somos formed and do you have any background from other bands? Así Somos was formed in 2000. Every musician has had previous experiences and backgrounds from other bands and ensembles. The drummer began in the Indie Rock scene (circa ’98) in Puerto Rico with a band called Kapá Prieto. As music students (Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music) the saxophonist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist and violinist attended and enrolled in the school’s wind ensemble and chamber orchestra, respectively. Which bands were you influenced by? As every musician, influences have an important impact in his musical career development. Therefore, in Así Somos each member has his particular bands, artists and music composers influences. However, as a collective, and in this moment (2010) we can summarize these influences in: Rock (Maná, Fiel a La Vega, Dave Matthews Band, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Rush) Reggae (Bob Marley, Cultura Profética) Jazz (Paquito D’ Rivera, Michel Camilo, Giovanni Hidalgo, Michael Brecker, Pat Matheny, Miguel Zenón, Paoli Mejías, Jerry Medina) Pop Music (Juan Luis Guerra, Ojos de Brujo, Eros Ramazotti , Alejandro Sanz) Orchestral music (Brahms, John Williams, Wagner, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Mahler, etc.) To start with; please give me your (long or brief) thoughts and lowdowns on... Injurias from 2002 Our first CD “Injurias” was the result of putting together the influences that over the years each one of the members had developed independently. Definitely, it resulted in the evolution of Así Somos’ signature sound concept, which has persisted since then. Silencio from 2007 Our second CD “Silencio” was the result of an ambitious and conceptual composing outreach. The lyrics, highly metaphorized, responded to an eclectic point of view of Puerto Rico’s socio-political, ecological reality, and our inspiration fundaments (beloved ones relations, happiness, etc.) needed as an artist in order to produce. The music was composed and arranged responding to the lyrics. The strong influence of the formal academic musical studies is evident in the development of the orchestral and choral arrangements. This is noticeable on the very first theme “Paragorn”. The instrumental composition was realized thinking of presenting the Así Somos’ musical evolution since “Injurias”, and to introduce the sound concept of “Silencio” as production. Then, each song has its own “voice” inside the whole concept. Also, in “Silencio” is presented the latin percussion as one of Así Somos’ core instruments. What is the latest update on your band and what are your plans for the rest of this year? At this moment, we are not working in a new CD. We have new lyrics written, but no music has been composed yet. This task will be realized in the near future. Meanwhile, some Así Somos’ members are recording a CD of Puerto Rican and Caribbean music, as an acoustic quintet project called “Nueva Canción”. This project includes: acoustic Spanish guitar, vocals, violin, saxophone, flute, bass and percussion. Also, Así Somos was selected for making and recording the music of a documental short film, related to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The short film promotes the Caribbean reef corals and marine ecosystems conservation. It will be presented in all flights and cruise ships coming to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. How is the writing and creative processes in your band ? The lyrics have been written by former backup vocalist, (at present, Así Somos’ manager) Cecilio Colón-Guzmán. Then, lead vocalist Ismar Colón-Carrión composes the lead sheet of the song (Voice melody, Metric, Rhythm, Chords, etc.). The instrumental melodies are developed principally by the saxophonist and the violinist, Saviel Cartagena-Acevedo and Duamed Colón-Carrión, respectively. After the music is composed and arranged, the other members contribute on the overall arrangement and implementation of the musical ideas that arise in rehearsals. How would you describe your music and which bands would you compare your music with? We describe our music as Progressive Trova-Fusion as there are different musical elements incorporated, which are the result of all the influences of artists mentioned above. I know about Ongo and a couple of death metal bands from Puerto Rico. But I am not aware of a folk rock scene. Please tell us more about Puerto Rico and the music scene in Puerto Rico. The music scene in Puerto Rico is pretty diverse. You will have in a same music festival a rock band, a salsa ensemble, a folkloric ensemble, a Hip Hop or Reguetón performer. So, actually that’s pretty nice! But in general, as in almost everywhere, what is on radio is what most people in general get identified. How easy/difficult is it to get gigs and to promote and distribute your records? As commented above, it depends on which audience are you pointing out. But in general, a commercial music ensemble will have less difficulty getting gigs and distributing their records, than a group like Así Somos. However, Así Somos is receiving a solid response from that audience that presence a live show. Their comments really demonstrate that Así Somos’ music is winning its right place in Puerto Rico’s music history. From where can your albums be purchased? Our records can be purchased at: http://grupoasisomos.com/tienda.html CDBaby.com: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/asisomos for SILENCIO http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/asisomos2 for INJURIAS iTunes.com Anything you want to add to this interview? We would be honored to hear from colleague listeners in Progarchives, in order to keep passing the word that here in Puerto Rico the progressive music is alive. Thank you, Así Somos November 10^th, 2010 Thank you to Asi Somos for this interview Their PA profile is here and their homepage here

memowakeman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: May 19 2005 Location: Mexico City Status: Offline Points: 13032	Posted: November 13 2010 at 01:26
	Cool, this is a band I like a lot. They have some odd influences I never thought they would follow, but well, the music is what counts.
	Follow me on twitter @memowakeman