Puta Volcano interview
AMMA is the latest offering from the Athens, Greece based quartet and finds them in a deeply reconciling phase between the introspective artistry and the energetic riffage delivery that both have been trademarks of their sound.
Puta Volcano started quite a few years ago. Would you like to talk a bit about your background?
Anna Papathanasiou: Our common background involves 3 LPs and 1 EP. At the very beginning Alex Pi the guitarist who also happens to be my brother asked me if I could join him in the studio because he was bored to death to just play the guitar on his own. And so it all began. From then on we grew bigger from every aspect of the term and are walking together up until this day as a family, or even better as a married couple of four.
What does the name “Puta Volcano” refer to in the context of the band name?
Nothing in particular at first. A friend of ours recommended the name one night that we were drinking wine in the countryside and we liked the sound of it. If we were to come up with a subtext though that would be the volcano in Chile with that exact same name. Well, it is in a way a cavity in the body of earth producing massive explosive amounts of steaming energy and that is something we kind of relate with when we write or play our music, so there you have it.
I first heard about your band when I heard Harmony Of Spheres released by IOTA5 Records. What’s the story behind it?
The album’s story is our imaginary wandering in a bunch of solar systems visiting uncharted territories and hearing to the tunes of the celestial bodies as they moved past by our studio spacecraft. IOTA5 on the other hand is a very earthling and dear member of the band managing us towards a decent representation out there and we love that person.
… But your first album is from 2011, Represent Victory Below Eye?
Yes that is true. It was our first “official” recording as Puta Volcano. Steve S. the drummer was in the band for almost a couple of weeks by the time we hit the studio and the producer was the memorable Chris Tsangarides. It was our first step into some grown up recording procedures and attitude and it will always hold a special place in our hearts and minds.
… And in 2015 you released The Sun via Front Yard?
Yes also correct. It was an interesting collaboration.
Can you share some further details how your latest album AMMA was recorded?
With hips of creative anxiety, different opinions about almost every single aspect of it that ended up converging when we all stepped foot in the recording studio. Johny Tercu was in charge of the production and we handed it over to him after the preproduction to take it a step further. In this case we were his instruments. Have to say though we were all slightly more mature than some while ago when we recorded Harmony of Spheres. Time cannot pass by super gently for any of us.
“We are describing a dystopian reality”
Is there a concept behind it?
Yes, and a rough connection with Harmony of Spheres makes sense in our minds. It is the return from our wandering trip to our place, only this time it seems unfamiliar like something has glitched. And to be honest the recent events with the pandemic caught up with us. We are describing a dystopian reality that has made us shut our mouths and watch history being recorded as we speak.
The cover artwork is really interesting…
Oh thank you, glad you like it. It actually is a sculpture I did back in 2018 in New York as part of a performative piece I did there as a resident artist. It is a universal mother wrapped in a space blanket, something like a solid monument to all the caretakers giving life and making it blossom.
How pleased were you with the sound of the album?
It is different. Personally I consider it a new point of view to an already existing sound. Like writing a text with a different quality of ink.
What are some bands/musicians that have a big influence on you?
A great bunch. Nirvana, Tool, and a lot more. But in general we all come from different musical backgrounds which creates tension, diversity and spark at the least. We are happy and lucky to be so different with one another.
Do you often play live?
Well that hurts right now, I bet all of the musicians around the world. We were about to hit the road in mid April but Corona had other plans. Normally we would have a lot of gigs within 2020. That is our favourite part of being in a band playing live with a living audience sweating under the stage.
Do you think your music reflects the current situation in Greece?
Yes and no. In a microscale it reflects each one of the 4 of us, so we are part of the Greek reality more or less which makes us receptive to anything that has being going on here for the past tough years, but other than that we like to practice some sort of escapism through our chords and lyrics. We share our feelings between what we go through and what we visualize in our daydreaming.
What are some future plans?
The current status globally is a firm reminder to just not plan far ahead. Carpe indoors diem for now and who knows? Maybe we will come up with some awesome tunes, maybe we will eliminate every spec of sugar in the form of junk food. One thing is for sure, we will do our best to meet our audience when the situation smooths out.
Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?
Hm.. Idles – Brutalism, Magdalene by FKA Twigs and Tool’s Fear Inoculum.
Thank you. Last word is yours.
Thanks a lot for this interview. Stay safe and sound everyone. Hoping the best for people fighting and being in a dark place right now. The sun will rise again.
– Klemen Breznikar
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