Pumókel is a Mexican-Venezuelan Rock-Pop band from Mexico City, currently they are promoting their 1st EP independently called “Sin Rumbo Fijo” on social networks and digital platforms. It all starts in Mexico City when Fofo and Chacho begin to compose their own songs with the firm idea of founding an uncomplicated rock band in terms of fusion of genres and musical rhythms, in the process of searching for the line-up they find Cravy, Oz and GianFer, with whom they come together to compose, produce and shape the band, as a result Pumókel arises “An avalanche of emotions and feelings full of a lot of power”. They are promoting theirs first 4 songs: “Quisiera Mentir” , “Ya Me Cansé” , “Que Será” and “Desilusión” the first two singles with their respective video clip and they will miss two more songs to complete the “Sin Rumbo Fijo” EP. The name of the band is inspired by a character from a German TV series.
Band Members
Vocals – Fernando Luis Bárcenas Rodríguez “GianFer”
Guitar – Adolfo Jiménez Cabrera “Fofo”
Bass – Horacio Jiménez Cabrera “Chacho”
Keyboards – Alberto Cravioto Cortés “Cravy”
Drums – Osmar Ortiz Calderón “Oz”
Trajectory
As every band that begins the story is about to be written, however the members have made their way in other projects of Rock, Ska and Pop indie scenes having stepped forums and places like Zócalo Esplanade , Delegational Plazas, Bulldog Café, Lunario, Imperial, Fairs, Music Festivals , etc. in different cities of the Mexican Republic and with some presentations in mass media.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND STREAMING
Official website: www.pumokel.com.mx
Spotify Artist Profile: https://spoti.fi/2B5CJGd
YouTube: www.youtube.com/pumokel
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pumokel
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pumokel_oficial
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pumokel
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
First of all the passion for music, we enjoy creating music and expressing emotions through sounds, we are not trying to re-invent gunpowder. One of our influences could be: Weezer, The Killers, Billy Idol, Dread Mar I, Los Bunkers.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
We try to sound like Pumókel, not only to imitate the sounds of bands that are successful or fashionable, but also we think our music is a pretty emotive indie rock sound and we like the fusion of heavy lead guitar & bass guitar riffs mixed with powerful drums and sharp but solid voice with that Latin touch.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
Finding the bandmates and your complices with whom to share a vision of achieving absolute musical transcendence. That has been the most complicated challenge since many musicians take music as just a hobby.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
In the band there are three composers, Chacho, Fofo and GianFer and each one of us has our own way of composing and we find different sources of inspiration. Once the songs are finished, we meet to review them and select the songs that we like the most, we do not know if they are the best, but we know that they are the ones that as a band convinced us all, after that comes an internal process of pre-production and recording at Pumókel Records (Our Home Studio) and when we finish recording, we hire the services of another Recording Studio to polish the songs, mix and master.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
It is a constant struggle to get people’s attention. What we want to achieve first is the opportunity to be heard not only in Mexico but globally. To achieve that we know that we need to build a base of good content and good music that allow us to offer a quality product, so that when people start listening to them, they find the motivation to return for more.
6.) Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
It would be great to have the best of both worlds, maybe have some deal for distribution and marketing and have the creative freedom that you have when you are an independent band. Many bands have done it and it has worked so it would be good to experience it. The traditional model is dead, but from every crisis comes the opportunity. So the challenge is to adapt to changes and offer innovation in all aspects to get the music to the right ears and this can involve making alliances, deals, new strategies, collaboration agreements, to be where we should be and get heard.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
Absolutely not! The artist who seeks to survive in these times has to have a good knowledge of social networks or have the appropriate means to pay a community manager and a media agency. The Internet has its advantages, for example being heard in New Zealand being Mexican would sound incredible some years ago, now its possible! We think it is about finding the balance, it’s not about being a guru of social networks, but you have to pay attention to the things you can do and what you can achieve with those tools and with those exposure possibilities.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
Fashions are gone and we think that if you are faithful to your style and your fanbase they will stay and you will not disappoint them because you respect yourself. Money is important, but you have to find balance not only to sell gigs but also to enjoy playing your music! One rule we have is that we should enjoy the song and if we do not like it, it would be better to take it out. That may be the key, not sabotaging your tastes and preferences to please more people. It’s about being honest with yourself and that reflects on the stage.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
As one of the important bands of the Mexican Rock scene, already with some tours abroad in North and South America and taking out many songs with potential of success and of course with a very good fanbase!
10.) Tell us more about your new EP “Sin Rumbo Fijo”. What can we expect from it and what are the new singles about?
The new singles will be:
“Sin Rumbo Fijo”
Eres todo para mi
These are two very important songs, one (“Sin Rumbo Fijo) that talks about the uncertainty about the future that we all sometimes feel, whether for love, for unemployment, for decisions made or for not taking them, etc. is a song that also speaks of hope and that you should never stop trying …
“Eres todo para mi” is an adaptation of Luis Demetrio (Mexican Composer) and is a bolero in Pumókel version and sounds quite vintage. We are finalizing details so that it is heard very well. This will be one of the only 2 cover versions we made for Sin Rumbo Fijo EP the other one is “Desilusión” by Raúl Cota Hernández. So the EP will contain 4 original Pumókel songs and 2 covers.
What we hope with this first EP (Six Songs) is to start capturing the attention of people who love rock and have broad criteria to listen to new mergers, we want to get started to be heard and gradually get loyal followers to this new proposal of Latin Rock. We will be promoting this EP through social networks and will be available in almost every platform. Of course we will be recording a videoclip for Sin Rumbo Rijo song…. coming soon….
We are planning our next move , creating more music, this is just the beginning and we want to invite your audience to check out our songs, and we hope you enjoy and follow us, thanks in advance! Pumókel!