Following on from the release of their much-loved EP 'Mountain Eaters' back in 2022, Costa Rica-based outfit Madame Whiskey have now made their eagerly-awaited return with their stunning new single 'Forward Fashion'.
Bringing back more of that fun and lively indie-rock aesthetic they first emerged with, 'Forward Fashion' makes for an incredibly bright and immersive listen. With its bold and thunderous energy, shimmering atmosphere, and stellar hooks layered throughout, they are returning to the fold with one of their most impactful efforts to date here.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with the band's Luis Barahona to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I definitely fell in love with guitar first. Didn’t even start singing until I was in my early twenties.
No idea why, but I was always drawn towards guitars, especially electric guitars since I was a toddler.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My father got me into a lot of classic rock and a lot of 80’s stuff.
It was a fun mix, a lot of The Rolling Stones, The Cure, AC/DC, Duran Duran, Rush, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Jackson Browne etc… just lots of old stuff which I still adore of course.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I bought with my own money was a Def Leppard greatest hits. Still have it, great record, great band.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Fields of gold by Sting. No doubt. Such a freakin’ beautiful song.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Not really. I have a little notebook where I’m usually writing ideas or words or just random stuff that seems interesting to me, and well every now and then I get this itchiness in my hands haha so I just try to obey and sit down and try to write something. To be honest it usually just comes up, like you kinda feel the urge or the willingness to write and then I just try to dedicate myself to it as long as I can.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
At the moment I’m really into this UK based band called Shoreline, amazing!
Also got super into Hot Mulligan and one of my all-time faves got back into my heavy rotation lately, the great Manic Street Preachers.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would definitely love to open for the Manic Street Preachers. That would be a dream for sure. Foo Fighters would also be a treat.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Definitely the process of getting your thoughts and managing to create something out of it with some other dudes, that’s crazy. Like when you finally have the song done and you can listen to it. It’s still hard to believe to me that we are able to create music, record it and then share it.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The nonlinear nature of a music career and breaking strings on my guitar.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The best advice I ever got was: “You know that by not pressing strings you’re also adding notes, right?”
For me that changed the whole way I would play and it just opened the door for so many songs.
Also, always serve the song.
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Madame Whiskey's new single 'Forward Fashion' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.