Tag Results: Omar Rodriguez Lopez
Q Magazine’s Q&A With Omar Rodriguez Lopez about Bosnian Rainbows and never closing any doors
With At The Drive-In’s reunion tour now a passing memory and the recent acrimonious split of his mind-bending prog crew, The Mars Volta, prolific noodler Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is currently putting most of his energy into new post-punk-influenced outfit Bosnian Rainbows, who release their self-titled debut next month. Whereas he called all the shots for a decade in Mars Volta, he’s now happy to be sharing the creative load with his new band mates. Q sat down with him ahead of the band’s recent appearance at London’s 100 Club to discuss self-expression, his relationship with Cedric Bixler-Zavala and what really happened during the At The Drive-In reunion shows…
How does it feel to be part of a collaboration again?
“It’s amazing, it’s liberating and it’s invigorating. It all sounds so dumb. There’s nothing like the feeling of getting schooled by the band. That’s the main thing; that’s the only way you get better.”
CLASH Magazine Live Review: Bosnian Rainbows in London, UK
The word “supergroup” can be a tricky term. It’s one of those words that has a habit of raising expectations, and that’s not always a good thing. Bosnian Rainbows are certainly an act who fit firmly into the supergroup category, made up of former The Mars Volta members Omar Rodríguez-López and Deantoni Parks, plus Le Butcherettes vocalist Teri Gender Bender, and Nicci Kasper on keys.
Considering this musical prog-punk pedigree, it’s no wonder how hard it is to get close to the stage of London’s 100 Club for the band’s headline set. This intimate venue has built its reputation on being the place where numerous punk legends, such as Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Adicts, have cut their teeth.
This proves to be a fitting lineage for tonight’s show. The low ceiling and tightly packed crowd give proceedings a sweaty house party feel. And as Bosnian Rainbows take the stage, cheers are hushed into near silence and the band launches straight into the sinister synths of ‘Eli’, the opening track from their forthcoming self-titled album.
The fact that the band have been constantly on tour since their inception in 2012 shines through as the four-piece instantly come together like a tightly honed machine. Rodríguez-López’s virtuoso guitar work fits seamlessly with the pounding beats and rhythmic synths of Parks and Kasper.
It’s clear, however, that the stage belongs to leading lady Teri Gender Bender. Having a name reminiscent of ’70s punk icons like Poly Styrene is no accident. Her stage presence is drenched in gloriously exhibitionist spirit as she dominates the stage like a cross between Alice Glass and Patti Smith.
Rolling Stone Interview with Omar Rodriguez Lopez
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is a restless creative force, with endless musical projects as guitarist and producer, his own label and an accelerating sideline as an experimental filmmaker. In the past, he’s walked away from popular bands just to follow his muse into some unexpected directions, but says a brief reunion tour last year with At the Drive-In mattered more to him than many of us will ever know.
The raging, hard-rock quintet grew up together in El Paso, Texas, recorded for Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal label, traveled the world and had a frenzied radio hit with “One Armed Scissor” before breaking up in 2001. Their reunion tour was short, but the band is active in other ways. This week came the wide release of reissues of ATDI’s 1996 album debut, Acrobatic Tenement, and the career-defining (and final release) Relationship of Command on their brand new label, Twenty-First Chapter.
At the Drive-In – which also includes singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala, guitarist Jim Ward, bassist Paul Hinojos and drummer Tony Hajjar – have scattered to other projects, leaving the future unknown. The Mars Volta, the post-ATDI post-punk/prog act led by Rodriguez-Lopez and Bixler-Zavala, is officially broken up, too, but the guitarist is already deep into Bosnian Rainbows, his band with singer Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes. Next week, Bosnian Rainbows begin a European tour with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (plus a few dates in Texas and California) and release a self-titled debut album on June 25th.
Rodriguez-Lopez spoke with Rolling Stone about his new band, making music and movies and his eternal attachment to At the Drive-In.
Sound Colour Vibration: Omar Rodriguez Lopez News
Moving outside of the confinements of pr planning and other entrapping mechanisms to the release of material, singer songwriter Omar Rodriguez Lopez has been launching a plethora of digital records over the last few years without any previous announcements. The albums show up on Bandcamp and news finds its way through the extensive network that is his label, colleagues, fans and supporters. Eventually pressed onto various formats, the digital introduction of his latest efforts has become a healthy tool for the expansion of this young visionaries legacy. With Omar Rodriguez Lopez in full dedication mode to his latest band Bosnian Rainbows, the release of his solo material is a very welcomed gift to new music being put out this year.
¿Sólo Extraño? is the latest Omar solo album which has been released this week. It is a metamorphosis in sound representing the future of progressive rock and electronica. Sleek, sonically provocative and psychedelic, it’s another exploratory vehicle of sound that bends all notions of what this musician has done before. The origin or personnel is unknown, which has become a feature to the new LP’s in his release stream. Check out the full digital stream of ¿Sólo Extraño? below and order a copy if you enjoy what you hear. - Sound Colour Vibration
Los Chidos a film by Omar Rodriguez Lopez playing at the Downtown Independent starting on March 29th
Los Chidos, the latest film by Omar Rodriguez Lopez debuted in the narrative competition at SXSW 2012 will now make its Los Angeles debut with a special limited engagement of a week long of screenings at the Downtown Independent located at 251 S. Main Street - Los Angeles, CA. Opening night is March 29th and will also have a Q&A with Omar Rodriguez Lopez and drinks after that evenings screening. Make sure to get your tickets reserved. Additional screening times for each play are below.
LOS CHIDOS at Downtown Independent
Friday, March 29th: 8pm screening
*Q&A with Omar Rodiguez Lopez at 9:40pm, drinks 10:15-11pm*
Saturday, March 30th: 4pm
Sunday, March 31st: 5:30pm
Monday, April 1st: 9pm
Tuesday, April 2nd: 7pm
Wednesday, April 3rd: 9pm
Thursday, April 4th: 1pm
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW
Billboard: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez on Bosnian Rainbows, Lessons from At The Drive-In, The Mars Volta
Even as he gets his latest band, Bosnian Rainbows, up and running, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez says he’s not closing the door on any of his other endeavors — including the now on-ice Mars Volta and even At the Drive-In, which reunited briefly last year for a handful of high-profile festival shows.
“I’m open to anything as long as there’s positivity involved,” Rodriguez-Lopez tells Billboard. “I love music, and it’s not like this is politics or something where lives are at stake. It’s so much fun, and we’re lucky we get to do this for a living. I’m open to collaborate with anyone that’ll have me. It’s so much fun.”
He is, however, keenly aware of onetime bandmate Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s angry online comments about the end of the Mars Volta.
“I heard about it at the time,” Rodriguez-Lopez says. “I was making a film and heard about it hours later; people were like, ‘Are you OK?’ I understand where he’s coming from; I’ve known the guy for 22 years. I’ll always respect and support any decision he makes. If that’s how he wants it, I totally get it and I support it.”
(Source: Billboard)
Chicana from Chicago: Exclusivo! Omar Rodriguez Lopez’s Los Chidos trailer
This savage satire written, directed and produced by Omar Rodriguez Lopez topped my list of most excellent American Latino films that popped up in 2012. Los Chidos cracked people’s faces when it premiered in competition at SXSW last year, as you can tell by the savvy mainstream and hard core cult film critic quotes in the trailer. Having seen the film thrice, I can appreciate this sneaky and clever approach in contextualizing the film’s mad provocation. Thanks to Adam Thomson (editor/producer) for giving me a first look. Enjoy. More screening play dates to be announced soon and a unique distro plan is likely. Follow @ORLProductions if you are not already trying to keep up with Omar’s progressive and nonstop music and film creating endeavors.
Los Chidos will be screening for a week in Los Angeles starting March 29th details coming soon.
NPR MUSIC: Featuring the new track from Bosnian Rainbows
This week, we have the infectious “Torn Maps” from Bosnian Rainbows, a new project featuring Teri Gender Bender (of Le Butcherettes) and Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Deantoni Parks & Nicci Kasper.
Alarm Magazine: Queens of Rock Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes & Bosnian Rainbows
Born and raised in Denver by Mexican and Spanish parents, Teresa Suaréz (known professionally as Teri Gender Bender) has, like many, a bi-cultural identity. Her garage-punk band Le Butcherettes — which began in Guadalajara, Mexico — is a product of that identity, particularly the differences in gender expectations that she has witnessed between the North American neighbors.
Though Suaréz has toned down her stage show from the days of using bloody aprons and severed pig heads (she’s vegetarian, actually) as anti-sexism symbols, it still brims with the fuck-you defiance of a bad-ass feminist rocker. She’s aware that her sex and gender have brought “superficial pros and moralistically damaging cons,” as she puts it, but she’ll use any means necessary to elbow her way into the rock-and-roll boys’ club.
N.M.E. : Omar Rodriguez-Lopez unveils new band Bosnian Rainbows’ first song - listen
At The Drive-In and The Mars Volta guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez has unveiled the first track from his new band Bosnian Rainbows. The track is titled ‘Torn Maps’ and you can hear it below
Rodriguez-Lopez, who announced in late 2012 that he and At The Drive-In frontman Cedric Bixler had placed The Mars Volta on hiatus, is joined in the new outfit by drummer Deantoni Parks, keyboardist Nicci Kasper and singer Teri Gender-Bender, who is also a member of noise experimentalists Le Butcherettes. 
Speaking to NME about his new band, the axeman revealed that the band’s debut album was recorded in Germany in late 2012 and will be released later this year. He said: “We recorded the record over in Europe, we did a tour across Europe and we recorded the album in Hamburg, Germany. It’s been done for a while and we’ve decided to put it out this year. We’re really happy with it.”
Rodriguez-Lopez has previously collaborated with Gender-Bender on his 2012 solo album ‘Octopus Kool Aid’ and has also recorded extensively with Kasper. Speaking about this, he said: “I’ve collaborated with all three of these artists before. I worked with Teri from Le Butcherettes on a solo record of mine, maybe a year or two ago. I also worked with her on the second Butcherettes record, I realized just how wonderful a musician she is.”
He continued: “I invited Deantoni Parks into The Mars Volta as our drummer, as a hired musician. But, as I got to know him, I realised ‘Wow, this guy is a brilliant composer’. He works as hard as me and he’s got thousands of songs in his catalogue. We must have made six records together over the years. It’s the same thing with Nicci Kasper, we all love writing music. It’s really something else.”
The guitarist also spoke about the different approach he has taken when it comes to writing material with his new band, compared to his days in The Mars Volta, adding: “It’s the classic thing, you stick with one way of doing things for so long that you start to crave a different way of working.”
He continued: “I did eight years in At The Drive-In being in a collective, so after that I wanted something where I was in charge and no one asked me any questions. After 11 years then in The Mars Volta of doing that, I found myself feeling very lonely and I felt like I abandoned my friendships, so I’ve decided to focus on this band.”
Rodriguez-Lopez also spoke about Bixler and revealed that the singer is currently working on his debut solo album, which will mainly consist of acoustic. Asked if he was missing working with Bixler, who he has worked with for almost 20 years, the guitarist said: “It’s been very strange being without Cedric. It’s one of those bittersweet moments, it’s great for both of us because he’s making this great solo record, which is more of an acoustic thing. I’m really excited to hear another side of him and to work on music without me. He’s composing all the music, playing all the instruments, literally doing everything himself, rather than just singing over the top of my songs.”
Bosnian Rainbow’s as yet untitled debut album is due for release later this year. The band are set to tour extensively in support of the record.
SEE ALL TOUR DATES HERE
Omar Rodríguez-López Kicks Off 2013 With A Trio Of Album Releases
Have you lost track on the number of albums producer/guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López has released? Well don’t fear if you have, Remezcla is keeping tabs. So as is, ORL just dropped not one, not two, but three full-length albums for your listening pleasures.
Now, this may seem excessive to some folks out there, but as Omar explained to us last year in our interview with Bosnian Rainbows, he states in respect to his music arrangements: “It’s real simple and we get to do it for a living, so it’s like ‘what else are you going to do?’” Omar is sheet music on legs who just gave us three great belated Christmas/early Día de Los Reyes Magos gifts.
The trio of releases are the electronically-inclined Equinox, the heavily experimental Woman Gives Birth To Tomato! with songs named after cities near and dear to Omar’s heart, and Unicorn Skeleton Mask, which has the most vocals of the three as well as some excellent riffs.
Check out all three albums on ORL’s new albums to stream and download below:
12.28.2012
Bosnian Rainbows Announce US & Canadian Shows
The new band Bosnian Rainbows formerly known as Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group will be heading East to play some shows in February 2013. Don’t miss them.
“Don’t ask me about any other band or whether they’re touring. This is my new band and it’s what we’re all concentrating on now.” - Omar Rodriguez Lopez
BOSNIAN RAINBOWS US / CANADA SHOWS 2013
Feb 15, 2013 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
Feb 16, 2013 - Asheville, NC @ Asheville Music Hall
Feb 17, 2013 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Feb 18, 2013 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
Feb 19, 2013 - New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
Feb 20, 2013 - Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
Feb 22, 2013 - Montréal, QC @ Cabaret du Mile-end
Feb 23, 2013 - Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club (Early Show)
Feb 24, 2013 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
Feb 25, 2013 - Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop
Feb 26, 2013 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
Feb 27, 2013 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theater
Feb 28, 2013 - TBA
SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE
*Please note some venues may promote or list the shows as Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group - Bosnian Rainbows is that group.
Here’s what the critics have been saying about them so far
Here was a band welcomed as new heroes. It was amazing to be part of - so all-inclusive and intimate. It felt like many in the audience had just discovered their new favorite band.” - Stuff (New Zealand - Live Review)
“Omar, clearly a man who constantly requires brand new blood to sustain him, he hasn’t been this energized since The Mars Volta early days, and with an album due to drop in 2013 this just might be the most exciting project yet” - Rock A Rolla - Live Review London, UK
Omar Rodriguez Lopez’s Film “The Sentimental Engine Slayer” now available on DVD
The long awaited release of Omar Rodriguez Lopez’s film The Sentimental Engine Slayer on DVD is finally here! We also have a special bundle deal that includes a choice of shirt and the limited edition poster. PRE- ORDER yours now HERE
Beat Magazine (Australia) Interview with Omar Rodriguez Lopez
“When you’re writing music, you’re really just translating it. You’re tapping into something greater than yourself, much greater than yourself,” opens Omar Rodríguez-López, in what would become an enrapturing discussion of music, its intrinsic relationship to his approach to living, and his ever-evolving persona. “That means it exists with or without you. That’s why I always make the point that writing a movie or a song or record, there’s absolutely nothing special about it. Any asshole can do it. What’s special is the fact that [the metaphysical source] is out there. It’s out there for us to tap in to, for us to see it, and for us to define our skills at seeing it and translating it into something tangible so we can all share it. Whatever music is, whether it’s a god, energy, whatever – it’s fucking humbling.”
The last time I spoke with him, Rodríguez-López had just reversed his attitude to recording music, and realised that complete dictatorial control was ill-suited and misdirected.
“I’ve gotten much further into what we were talking about last time we spoke, about collaborating with people. My whole life is a collaboration now. For the past 11 years I’ve just been doing whatever I’ve wanted all the time – my music, me, me, me – and making everyone bend to that will. I’m just a completely different person now. I’m working in a collaborative group, that’s what you really have to understand – music is just the result of the process, which means it’s just the result of how you’re living as a person. As controlling as I was with my music, people should realise that was an extension of my life, and that means I was just such a bummer to be around.
“Now, my whole life is a collaboration. I’m in a completely different place. There’s no greater feeling. That was no way to live. If you’re not sharing it, you’re not really experiencing something…Now, I can share experiences with my friends and the act of giving: that’s such a big thing. I’ve given away about 60 percent of my belongings over a year ago. Just paring everything down to the essentials: ‘Do I really need this? Do I really need all these books? You haven’t read that, here you take it’. They’re all small details but those things do add up.
Rodríguez-López is infamous his unreleased collection of records despite his prolific output; some of his solo records were released almost ten years after their date of recording. With this newfound exploration of collaboration, I propose to him the idea that maybe he should share his albums with his fans as they’re made, in an extension of his philosophy.
