Tristeza: Come Along on a Surreal Shoegaze Journey

With a very acoustic composition the new surreal Shoegaze album by Netherlands based band Resplandor is an ethereal, mesmerizing musical treat.  Antonio Zelada, songwriter and lyricists for Resplandor describes the new album Tristeza as “being able to be played without the wall of sound and would work well before the effects montage.”  The album was produced and mixed by Robin Guthrie and mastered by Simon Scott. 

Tristeza starts with the entrancing song “Blue” The rhythmic and hypnotic start to “Blue” propels the listener towards the dual vocals that entwine and beckon.  A cadenced chime,  like a magical heartbeat,  keeps the listener from falling completely into the dreamlike soundscape.  “Rêverie” has an alluring female vocal that is enticing but seems deliciously just out of reach.  Within the song a cello teases and Robin Guthrie adds some bass.  The title song of the album Tristeza has a somniferous air with a beautiful wafting and drift inspiring sound.  “Adore” has an anodyne flowing sound that feels as though you are bobbing along with captivating buoyancy on a mythical sea of sound. There is an old school Shoegaze sound to the song.  “Océano” makes great use of the drums as the song ebbs and flows like a roiling sea, lifting and dropping the listener in a tumultuous ocean soundscape.  “Feel” has a more intense sound with haunting lyrics that flux and undulate taking the listener on an introspective musical journey.  Once again with a comfortable old school Shoegaze sound “Silencio” intrigues and motivates the listener to traverse a spectacular musical landscape.

This beautiful surreal Shoegaze album by Resplandor is well worth listening to.

Music and lyrics Antonio Zelada (vocals, guitars, e-bow, programming) 

Joeri Gydé (bass, baritone guitar, cello), 

Christopher Farfán (drums), 

Tatiana Balaburkina (synthesizer, backing vocals) 

Artwork by Puck Verheul

 Released by Automatic and pressed in the Netherlands by Deepgrooves.

(93) Resplandor - Blue (Robin Guthrie Mix) - YouTube

Tristeza | Resplandor (bandcamp.com)

Resplandor Official – Shoegaze music 

Surreal Shoegaze Band Resplandor

Using the Spanish word for radiance, the name Resplandor was actually inspired by band member Antonio Zelada’s interest in Stanley Kubrick’s film “The Shining” which literally translates to “El Resplandor”.

Despite coming from several different countries, including Peru and Russia, the Netherlands based band have similar musical influences making it easy for them to find a single direction when composing arrangements for their songs.  Although at the moment their songs are in English and Spanish, the bands ethnic diversity means that at sometime they may even produce songs in Dutch or Russian.

Resplandor’s songs have a tinge of melancholy. Being an independent band has allowed Resplandor a certain autonomy which has resulted in an honesty in their music, a true reflection of how songwriter and lyricist Antonio feels at the times he is inspired. 

Antonio cites the sea as a huge inspiration to the music he writes.  The sea, for him, inspires a melancholy through its beauty and greatness but also has that hint of loneliness.  He  talks of “the stars at night that you see but at the same time are so far away you cannot touch them.”  The sky, landscapes and even the air we breath can be great influences when composing according to Antonio. 

When writing songs for the band Antonio begins with a guitar melody.  After recording it and listening to it for awhile he decides if he is happy with it or if the music needs to be tweaked.  Once he is satisfied with the music he writes the lyrics for the song.  Using the chords, melody and lyrics Antonio makes the guitar arrangements.  A demo with drums, bass and keyboard sequences is recorded.  In the studio guitars and voices are recorded as well as the synths, bass and drums of the other band members.  The tracks are then put in order, mixed and mastered.

Antonio also explains that as part of the creative process “music and all kinds of art are an influence.”  Garnering inspiration from film makers like Stanley Kubrick, Wim Wenders, Alejandro Amenábar, Krzysztof Kieślowski, literature by Cortázar, Borges and others are also sources of creativity.  

Resplandor loves “the adrenaline of playing live.”  The band enjoys interacting with the audience and seeing them connect to the music.  They also like talking to the audience after a gig.  “Being able to transmit the energy of our songs and play loud” is something Resplandor relish.  Resplandor has toured extensively.  Their music was so admired by musician Robert Smith that he invited them to open for his band The Cure in Lima.

 During a four year break from live performances Resplandor participated in some compilation album work as well as doing some remixes.  They also recorded a cover of “Until She Comes” by the Psychedelic Furs.  Now with a new album out Resplandor are looking forward to playing at festivals again. They are also planning to start work on their next album.

If you are new to the music of Resplandor they remind you that music and art are something that attracts you.  There is a lot about this band that makes them worth a listen. 

Resplandor Official – Shoegaze music