Alonso Rivero | Wonderland

Wonderland

ALONSO RIVERO

We join up with the electronic music maestro to talk influences, inspirations from his hometown of Mexico City and emerging artists from Fractal Studio.

Beginning his musical journey in the alternative scene of the 2000s, Alonso initially focused on perfecting his percussive skills. After achieving success with traditional bands and established pop acts, he found himself at the heart of Mexico’s electronic music renaissance, driven by the burgeoning scenes in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen.

Fully embracing this new environment, Alonso plunged into music production, earning recognition as both an events organizer and music producer. He eventually became the resident DJ at Burning Man’s legendary Maxa Camp and founded Fractal Studio in Mexico City, a vibrant hub for musical exploration and artistic innovation.

Now, as he prepares to release an upcoming 3-track EP on Roderic’s Dafne label, we sit down with the accomplished artist to discuss his expectations for the EP, his creative processes, and the evolution of his music since the 2000s.

Hey Alonso! How did growing up in Mexico City influence your musical journey and creative process?

Mexico City has always been a musical hub. Artists love coming here, which means the sonic spectrum is wide. I get to see all kinds of performances. The best part of Mexico City is how it blends openness to new ideas with our rich cultural heritage. It’s a mix of the eclectic past and the innovative present.

After your experience with traditional bands in the 2000s, what drew you to electronic music?

As a drummer, I initially thought electronic music didn’t have much for me, but I was totally wrong. Not only are drums a big part of it, but you can also use a bunch of different sounds and instruments as percussion. Electronic music is like the next step in the evolution of sound. The way it reinterprets and endlessly morphs sounds is amazing. It’s a huge rabbit hole, and some of the most amazing musical minds are in electronic music, blending basic ideas with refined, elaborate sounds.

Who are some of the artists that have had a significant impact on your music?

There are so many. Every artist teaches you something, whether it’s a street performer or a Grammy winner. If I had to name a few, I’d say the big rock legends like Depeche Mode, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, and Caifanes have been major influences.

What can listeners expect from your upcoming EP?

This new EP “Sleepless” is a mix of different styles. There’s a sexy downtempo track with female vocals, an indie synth piece with processed male vocals, and a third track that breaks away from standard 4/4 patterns with intense chords. I’m really happy with how it turned out, and I hope listeners enjoy it.

Can you walk us through your creative process when producing a track/project?

I like to lock myself in for long sessions, diving into different sounds and playing with various instruments until something clicks. Exploration fuels my creativity. I also record voice notes on my phone, especially after intense music experiences like festivals. Listening to those notes later in the studio helps me piece together new ideas.

How has your music evolved since you first started?

Music has always been a part of my life, starting with my dad playing records at high volume—he was a big Beatles fan. I started with drums as a kid, played in bands throughout my youth, and eventually became a DJ at weddings. Everything changed when I began producing electronic music. Discovering synthesizers was mind-blowing. I’ve delved deep into electronic music, producing and playing all over. The journey has been amazing, with so many different angles.

Can you highlight any emerging artists from Fractal Studio who you believe are making significant contributions to the electronic scene?

Definitely. One project to watch is “Stimulation” by Rodrigo Álvarez and Gerardo Ortiz. These guys are creating some really good stuff and showing great musical evolution.

What do you have planned for the rest of 2024?

I’ll be playing shows here and there, exploring new places. My new EP “Sleepless” is coming out soon. I also want to experiment with different music formats and keep up with production.

ALONSO RIVERO

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