We caught up with Los Angeles new-folk band Mapache. This two-piece band features Sam Blasucci and Clay Finch, both who play guitar and vocals. Their music is definitely new-folk, but it twinges on psychedelic at times, and even alt-country, particularly through their frequent use of outstanding harmonies. The group has released one self-titled full-length album in 2017 and an EP titled "Lonesome LA Cowboy" released in June. Get the lowdown on Mapache's stuff straight from the source!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"We went to high school together and that's when we started playing music together as a profession we've been playing as much or every two years. This has kind of been our main project since, January, two years ago. I think when when we got together in high school then start jamming. It was kind of just like we had no real thoughts or plans for the future. We just wanted to play music together and it's kind of naturally snowballed over the years, you know, kind of turned into this with no real conscious, you know, foresight."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
Well, I think a lot maybe with the music that we listen to, and where we come from, I think a part of the way, what we're trying to create with supply chain is sort of like a big kaleidoscope of all the music of Southern California, which is pretty far-reaching. Sure, you know, like a lot of Mexican music and folk music and country music and Hawaiian music and, and certain sort of just like trying to make an extension of us I don't know, the Southern California sound and kind of do our own piece of it. I think. I don't know, that's what I would like to try to do. And it sort of sounds like that was maybe what you were talking about. I don't really think we have a set process million songs usually come out and, you know, low pressure situations when we are able to kind of get in a mindset of letting things flow and experiment you know, and not think too much about what we're doing. And that kind of, you know, has to do with when you try really hard to write a song it usually doesn't work at least for you know, it's it's usually just what it flows out naturally without, a whole lot of effort on your part.
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
The Beatles, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt is a big one for us too. We also love a lot of soul music, the lyrics and music and Stevie Wonder.
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
We don't have much gear. We do. I mean, we do like what we have. I mean, we it's similar. It's like pedals and stuff. Yeah, it's very simple. We don't use much, I have a Dobro that I play that I got from my dad, who was musician years ago and we also use a Martin D-18.
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
Well, I think something good to say is that we love people and we love music. And the music we make, is very honest, and simple and open, though, you know, anyone that listens to our music, I think should be open, you know, to it, because we've, for ourselves, we've reached new places through the music and we wanted other people to be able to do that through our music, too. That's the whole point of it. You know, because we love people, we love living and we want, our music to give life to other people. So, and that can only happen you know, people listen to it openly.
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
We released an EP Lonesome LA Cowboy in June. We're gonna start recording our second full length, LP and October,which will be original songs, like the first one, and it'll be out sometime next year.
Upcoming Shows:
August 2 Pendarvis Farm Happy Valley, OR
August 16
Mississippi Studios
Portland, OR
August 17
Harlow's
Sacramento, CA
Aug 18
Sweetwater Music Hall
Mill Valley, CA
FMI on Mapache, visit https://mapachesounds.bandcamp.com/
As always, keep it tuned to Alt Revue for all things alt music!