Shooting from the hip

El hombre bala’s latest volley of songs hits the streets

7th November 2006

Mercado Negro

11th Novembre 2006

The idea of a band generated release sounds great in theory (as last week’s piece was suggesting) but the reality of recording music and distributing given most bands meagre resources is another thing; that’s why record companies exist.

Labels and managers should generate more income than they take; therefore rock stars can focus on being rock stars.  But what if you haven’t got a manager called “Coco Ferrari” or you have not yet sold your soul to the big 4??

The way in which DF based band “el hombre bala” completed their latest ep “Packages” gives us an insight into what goes into a classic independent release.

The most striking element in the process is the multi-tasking the members have to do; in this area el hombre bala excel:

Adrian - voice/cinematography: develops lyric and song by improvising over the rest of the band’s new ideas.   Adrian also offers film –making skills on the highest level, including a premièred work in the Mexico City Independent Film Fest. 

He has had creative control over the videos the band has shot to promote their new ep.

Mauricio – drums/marketing: as well as using the full range in percussive options during the average hombre bala set Mauricio is working on the band’s schedule and promotion. 

Recent trips have taken him to Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits where distributing the ep and spreading the word about the band has brought him into contact with some big names; including performing with Matt Costa.

Esteban – bass/production: taking charge in a number of songs with explosive riffs Esteban also has a Fermatta Music School training in production.

His direct input into the recording process and excellent contacts with friends that have focused purely on the production side have proved invaluable for the band. 

Pollo – guitar/guitar: pollo only does one thing that’s why he does it so well!!

With the ep recorded in live sessions, including a track with an audience in the studio, the time at Del Vista Records was kept to 3 days.  This not only saved money but also made sure Mauricio had promotional copies to take to Austin.

The packaging and design has been left to Guram Lubaggi, thought of as “the fifth element”, who has developed a distinctive visual identity for the band that balances perfectly with their music. 

The stencils from his distorted, almost diabolical landscapes have being used decorate the jiffy padded envelops acting as the sleeve for the ep, with more of his work inside in the form of stickers and notes. 

Nevertheless the most challenging aspect of a new release for bands is not producing the record but making sure it reaches the public.

The relentless promotion of a new release will cost time and money.  EL Hombre Bala have planned a month of activities relating to “Packages” release, appearances on radio and internet radio, live shows including Avandaro2 and lots of cold calls, emails and myspace drifting that will hopefully raise people’s awareness.

Concerts such as the ep launch last night at Monster Bar are the most direct way, but even the hardest working of bands will play only a few gigs a month. 

The group however have been given some forward momentum with an inclusion of the “Packages” track on “Cual es tu rock” vol.3, thus the bookings are a little easier to come by with the leverage this provides.

The band has an almost schizophrenic dimension to their music between rock and folk, with traditional and modern elements, including internal and external influences, sung in English and Spanish.

In many ways they encapsulate much of what the scene is about at this moment in time, not only in the style of the music they play but also through their spirit and resourcefulness.

Hopefully the hard work will draw the attention of enough people such that a record label offers to look after all the above and the band can concentrate on what it does best, make music.