Estación Sub_Trópico is an experimental music project from the Dominican Republic that stands out for its unusual approach to creating native music from the country that sounds like it may come from a far-off future—like teleporting to an island floating by the Milky Way!
“Fie’ta y Mañana Gallo” is the title of their most recent piece. This compilation serves as a global representation of Dominican electronic music, bringing together the sounds and hues of our recent musical and spiritual journey. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
Carlos: We are 100% Caribbean, born in the Dominican Republic, coming from humble working class families, in both cases we are the musicians of the family, although we have different musical backgrounds, for example in the case of Marlene who showed interest and aptitude for music at a very early age, later she managed to obtain academic musical training. I became interested a little later, when I was almost a teenager, and perhaps more inclined to the self-taught instinct of playing electric guitar and composing songs. We both carry Dominican culture, rhythms and traditions in our DNA, but since our beginnings we have always shown concern for exploring other musical genres such as Hard Rock, Pop, Metal, Electronic Music, etc. Everything about Estación Sub_tropico begins from our mutual concern of trying to fuse Dominican folkloric rhythms with some sounds, genres and elements of electronic music, that’s where the ship took off.
2. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘ESTACIÓN SUB_TRÓPICO?
CARLOS: We could say that our music is a reflection of the profound influence that countless musical currents have left on us, mostly Dominican, ranging from Aramis Camilo, Tony Seval, Cuco Valoy, Los Hermanos Rosario, Las Chican, Johnny Ventura, Johnny Pacheco, Luís “Terror” Diaz, and many more to international bands such as Depeche Mode, Radiohead, Portishead, Kraftwerk, Pink Floyd and Soda Stereo. The name Estación Sub_Trópico comes from the feeling that we felt when we found a special place to which we can escape through our music, something like a spiritual portal that allows us to travel in space/time from the very center of the Caribbean.
3. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
CARLOS: Some of the main elements that we could highlight in our project, mostly come from traditional Dominican folk rhythms, instruments such as the Balsié, the Atabals, the Güira and the Tambora are essential in our musical base, in addition to some sound elements coming from the electronic music such as analog synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines. We could describe our sound as “Mambothronic”, caribbean electronic music of the future.
4. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles?
Marlene: Music and art in general impact directly on society. It is a message that enters through our emotions and molds our mind, and therefore our actions, make us sensitive beings. In our case, we had the privilege of being in contact with music from a very early age, although in one of the cases, school had nothing to do with this approach. Seeing the influence music has had on us, we believe this should not be a privilege, but rather a right. This is why we understand that in our schools, music teaching should be taught from an early age and that this helps to awaken sensitivity in each student, in addition to having knowledge of our musical culture.
5. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
ESTACIÓN SUB_TRÓPICO: To answer this question, we would first have to ask ourselves: Why do we make music? In the emotional and personal sense, music is what saves us, and for us, nothing competes with that. In the social sphere, we would like music to be more appreciated in our communities and contribute so that, in the Dominican Republic, we can also value our black heritage and understand where we come from, to heal our wounds and see the beauty of what we really are. We would also like our music to carry our message further, to break the barriers of prejudice that many emerging artists from countries like ours face every day, and for independent Dominican talent to be represented in foreign spaces and platforms.
6. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
ESTACIÓN SUB_TRÓPICO: As in any professional career, being able to perfect what you do involves many sacrifices. For us, being away from our loved ones at important moments, dates and activities in family life is one of the most difficult parts of our career.
7. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
ESTACIÓN SUB_TRÓPICO: A very significant point for us in our musical career is when we manage to inspire, illuminate or positively influence the life of a person with our art or our music, that is something that fully fills us and overflows our hearts with joy.
8. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
Marlene: Anyone who says it doesn’t affect them is in denial. The important thing is how and from whom to take criticism and negative comments. It is very easy to write hurtful comments, they usually come from people who do not know the reason for things. Not everyone has the dedication to think and understand before making a judgment, and each judgment is directly proportional to the personal history of the person making it. Criticism can be to destroy or to help improve, and the style of the person who says it gives it away. So, there every one can decide whether to pay attention to it or not.
9. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
ESTACIÓN SUB_TRÓPICO: For us, music has always had many aspects, each with different nuances. Creation in the studio is an intimate process where we deal directly with our being, our emotions and beliefs, and where we look for a way to materialize all that in the best way and trying to make it a quality proposal. It is a process that challenges us to become better people and artists, which is important to us. However, playing live for our audience is totally magical. Feeling that you are empowered by music and that you can transmit those emotions and inspire others is something of great value. That exchange of energy, that lovely feedback we receive from people is what drives us to continue making music. Every moment is unique and unrepeatable and it is something that one will carry within themselves.
10. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
ESTACIÓN SUB_TRÓPICO: Art in general is an expression of the human being that lends itself to the interpretation of those who consume it, which will always be linked to individual experiences. Although our speech is apparently very plain, the music we make is loaded with many stories, which makes each person interpret it according to their own perspective. We understand that from our music, each person can choose what resonates with them and what they feel they identify with.
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