The Latin Grammy-nominated artist, now on tour with Daniel, Me Estás Matando, guarantees “drama and boleros” — and talks his shock collab with Tejano star Bobby Pulido
Caloncho desires to bliss you out.
For the reason that launch of his 2011 EP, “Homeotermo,” the 38-year-old singer-songwriter from Sonora, Mexico, has been making reggae- and tropicalia-infused dream pop underpinned by the mantra that being alive is a blessing.
“Tofu” is not any totally different. In his fifth LP, launched in March 2024, Caloncho leaned into his explicit model of earnest positivity, incomes him a Latin Grammy nomination — his fourth — for pop vocal album later that yr.
The document opens with the synthy bachata “Superdeli” and “Wacha, Checa,” which encompasses a guitar riff straight out of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ catalog — two songs through which the singer implores a romantic companion to reside within the second. Within the infectious indie rock anthem “Vitamina D,” Caloncho finds pleasure and gratitude via self-acceptance.
“Me siento cómodo en mí/ Me gusta sentirme así/ Me caigo bien y por fin me gusta lo que hay/ Pues es lo que hay,” he sings within the refrain. (“I feel comfortable in myself/I like feeling this way/ I like myself and I like what there is/ Because that’s all there is.”)
“I envisioned ‘Tofu’ as a conversation pit in some living room with lots of carpet, cushions and instruments,” Caloncho, whose actual identify is Óscar Alfonso Castro Valenzuela, tells me over Zoom. “It’s a place where you could feel comfortable listening to music and sleep if you want. That’s how I physically imagine the album to be.”
Caloncho is taking “Tofu” on the highway, kicking off an eight-city tour throughout the U.S. with indie sadboi duo Daniel, Me Estás Matando on Thursday on the Magnolia in El Cajón, Calif. He caught up with De Los earlier than his scheduled present on the famed Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on Friday, Aug. 8.
This interview has been translated from Spanish and has been evenly edited for size and readability.
I learn someplace that this album was impressed by [multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter] Mac DeMarco.In fact. Not simply this album, however in life. I’ve been following Mac DeMarco since he had a band known as Makeout Videotape in 2009. I wasn’t even taking part in reside but. I used to be already writing songs, however he was all the time like a reference level in each sense. I actually admire his music, his profession, his course of, his approach of getting concerned within the trade. I like all of his albums, however the document that was a giant reference level for “Tofu” was [2019’s] “Here Comes the Cowboy.” I like the dryness and the shut mic-ing.
Nature performs a giant half in your life. You’ve advocated for supported reforestation, have performed exhibits in assist of environmentalist causes, and actually have a group area in Mexico Metropolis known as “Día al Día.” Speak to me about your advocacy.I really feel very impressed by nature. It’s the place I really feel most snug. Seeing stunning landscapes uninterrupted by buildings looks as if a luxurious to me and I discover it to be very inspiring. Being in nature has helped me write a couple of songs. The platforms I’ve I exploit to speak, to share wise data that has to do with the setting, with client habits and to attempt to have a constructive affect on the planet and on leaving the smallest footprint doable.
You’re at the moment on tour with indie duo Daniel, Me Estás Matando, whom you’ve recorded a number of songs with and have had a collaborative relationship with. What can followers anticipate on the present?This tour was born out of a want to have a brand new expertise and to additionally supply a brand new expertise to the viewers with two initiatives which are comparable. We’re buddies, we have now songs collectively and we need to share area and be taught from each other.
From the tour, I feel you’ll be able to anticipate plenty of good vibes, dancing and partying. However you too can anticipate drama and boleros — as a result of that’s what Daniel Me Estás Matando performs. By the best way, they’re like comedians. They’re very humorous they usually use plenty of humor as a artistic course of, as a story and as their approach of speaking with their viewers as effectively. And so you’ll be able to anticipate plenty of that: irreverence and good vibes.
This gained’t be your first time in L.A. What’s your relationship with this metropolis?I all the time get actually enthusiastic about going to L.A. It feels just like the cultural epicenter of the nation and likewise, clearly, a cultural protagonist of the planet. I like that it’s a spot that represents many, many communities, many individuals dwelling in the identical metropolis that’s effervescent and culturally productive. It’s too stimulating, from the sunsets to the meals. And there’s many vegan choices! So I like going to L.A. There’s already a reference to the viewers since we’ve completed a number of exhibits there. It’s fascinating and it additionally makes me very nervous as a result of town is simply a type of iconic locations, you understand? I’m very pleased to be again.
I think about that taking part in in a metropolis that’s largely Spanish-speaking and immigrant makes issues somewhat bit simpler, proper? Talking of, L.A. and people communities particularly have been a serious goal of the federal authorities’s immigration enforcement campaigns. Is there a worry that members of your viewers won’t present up as a result of they’re too afraid to exit?It’s a disgrace what’s occurring and it’s a very absurd scenario. I don’t know precisely what to anticipate, however truthfully, I’m going to play for anybody who’s trying to join with this music. I’m going to play for my viewers and hope that our music could be helpful or comforting to them. To be a light-weight. I’m more than pleased to do it if it’s only one individual or a 100. We’re very grateful for anybody who exhibits up and needs to come back and have this expertise regardless of the horrendous scenario that’s occurring.
All through your profession, you’ve collaborated with many artists from numerous genres, from indie rock band Little Jesus to psychedelic cumbia pop group Bomba Estéreo. However the one I’m most fascinated with is your work with Tejano singer Bobby Pulido, with whom you recorded the tune “Separarnos” in your 2022 album “Buen Pez.” You additionally dueted with him on stage for his “Una Tuya, Una Mía” collection. How did that come to be?Bobby Pulido is a popular culture image in the USA and in Mexico. “Desvelado” is a timeless hit that will probably be performed at events together with Selena and together with many different cool cumbias. I’ve been taking part in “Desvelado” reside for a few years, and since I used to be already singing the tune, I actually needed to make new connections, to make new buddies and new collaborations. And so the pitch was made. I known as him up and stated “Hey, what’s up, Bobby? I’m Caló. I really like your music. Would you be open to the possibility of doing something together?”
We went to eat at a restaurant in Mexico Metropolis and the dude simply appeared actually cool to me. He was chill, wise, clever and prudent. I now take into account Bobby a superb buddy, and on that event he stated to me, “Look, we’re here eating. Let’s try to make a song. If it’s not good, we’re not going to record it.” He left and I felt compelled to write down a superb tune. I went to [beach town] San Pancho and labored on the tune there. I despatched it to him and he favored it and we recorded it.
It’s a rare chapter in my profession and it did make me get out of my consolation zone, however I find it irresistible. I additionally really feel like I actually need to do this sort of factor, collaborate with folks the place the connection isn’t very apparent.
