Talking with Ozomatli’s Raul Pacheco – HuffPost 3.21.14
Mike Ragogna: Raul, your new album, Place In The Sun, was recorded by your buddy Robert Carranza. How do you think the sound of the group’s recordings has evolved over the years?
Raul Pacheco: We have evolved with technology and experience. More electronic elements and better overall songwriting. People’s roles have also evolved, everyone is getting a little more face time and I think that’s cool.
MR: Was Place In The Sun approached differently creatively than the group’s previous works?
RP: Yes, most of us are better songwriters and most of us have at least small recording capabilities at home or in our own studios. This provides us the opportunity to create anytime we want, alone, in groups or in a room. So everyone is bringing a lot more ideas. From those ideas we wade out what works for us as a group and then we dig in. Sometimes we keep original elements from demos because they just have the vibe. Our co-producer/engineer Robert Carranza has the skills to meld all these elements together. And sometimes we just play live in a room.
MR: Which songs on the album affected you the most after the final playback of the mastered version?
RP: I personally like the sound of the electronic and live elements mixed together. Songs like “Prendida” and “Tus Ojos” have a real fresh mix of today’s technology and live instruments which create a full sound. That was a pleasant surprise once they were done.
MR: You collaborated with Boston and New York Pop Orchestras. How did each entity influence the other for both those performances and for the long term?
RP: They both provided us with new experiences, and the understanding that each orchestra is clearly an instrument of their own. We’ve been around a while and having new musical experiences together keeps us interested and motivated. And who could complain when such high level musicians are playing music you created? I feel like I’m flying when an orchestra is backing me up.
MR: Ozomatli were the Cultural Ambassadors for the US State Department. How did that come together and how did you serve?
RP: We got a call from a really great woman on the cultural side of the state department and we took our first trip to India and Nepal. We saw right away the good and the bad being associated with the state department and we navigated that as best we could. The best part about it was that we could see these places for ourselves, create some relationships on our own and connect with some people directly. Any chance we got we were on our own, creating our own impressions of what these places were like. I know we also tripped some people out, a multi-cultural multi lingual American band? Well yes, that really is the kind of country we are.
MR: What’s all this about Ozomatli Day in LA?
RP: Everybody knows we rep LA hard, almost like walking around with it on our foreheads. Anyway, we were being recognized for our contributions to the city because we do a lot of philanthropic work, especially with kids. They wanted to make an Ozomatli day, we said thanks and turned it into a day that we remind people of the need for music and art education for the youth. We are all products of pubic school music programs, there would not be an Ozomatli without it. So we use it as a day to promote music and art in schools.
MR: What do you think is resonating about that the group that has accumulated so many fans and this much appreciation?
RP: We’re pretty humble guys and we like people. We connect with our fans, we’re approachable and appreciative that people still want to see us play. I think it comes across in our shows and in our recorded music.
MR: Are there any issues such as immigration, health care, etc., that are on the group’s radar, and what are your opinions or suggestions regarding them?
RP: We’ve been involved in the immigration debate and we believe that reform is necessary. We believe that the deportation process is inhumane and that immigrants continue to make this country better, not worse. We also believe that free and affordable healthcare is a right for every living being. I truly believe that health is an option that is non-negotiable for people. We are on the side of humans being better, acting better and helping one another.
MR: Do you feel your music has influenced others’ creativity and that you have been positive role models for younger generations?
RP: Overall yes, we are pioneers in doing what we do. Mixing styles, race, language and bringing it with tons of energy. People of all ages come to us with their own stories of how our music has made positive influences in their lives and how we have introduced them to certain styles of music. We are not the first to do this by any means but overall we are good guys. We all have issues, I myself have plenty that I continually need to work on to be a better human and being in this band helps me see where I am deficient and how I can do that.
MR: What advice do you have for new artists?
RP: Do it because you love it, then the struggle will not be as heavy. It’s not an easy thing to commit yourself to art but if it’s what you love you should do it. And practice, play, work with others, get better at all aspects of your craft. Ultimately it’s up to you to present your work to the world, no one else.
MR: What does the future hold for Ozomotli?
RP: We make music for TV and movies, write and produce songs for others, are on TV shows and always looking to grow. But really, I never know. What is really certain in this world? We could get bigger than ever or fall apart. But as long as we are a band I know we’ll bring it as best we can. And our twenty-year anniversary is coming up, we should definitely have a party for that!
Special Thanks to Lucy Sabini