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 needs 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” isn’t any totally different. In his fifth LP, launched in March 2024, Caloncho leaned into his specific model of earnest positivity, incomes him a Latin Grammy nomination — his fourth — for pop vocal album later that 12 months.
The file opens with the synthy bachata “Superdeli” and “Wacha, Checa,” which includes a guitar riff straight out of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ catalog — two songs during which the singer implores a romantic associate to reside within the second. Within the infectious indie rock anthem “Vitamina D,” Caloncho finds pleasure and gratitude by 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 really feel comfy in myself/I like feeling this manner/ I like myself and I like what there may be/ As a result of that’s all there may be.”)
“I envisioned ‘Tofu’ as a dialog pit in some lounge with a number of carpet, cushions and devices,” Caloncho, whose actual title is Óscar Alfonso Castro Valenzuela, tells me over Zoom. “It’s a spot the place you might really feel comfy listening to music and sleep in order for you. That’s how I bodily think about the album to be.”
Caloncho is taking “Tofu” on the street, 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 at all times 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 really like all of his albums, however the file that was a giant reference level for “Tofu” was [2019’s] “Right here Comes the Cowboy.” I really like the dryness and the shut mic-ing.
Nature performs a giant half in your life. You’ve advocated for supported reforestation, have performed reveals in help of environmentalist causes, and also 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 comfy. Seeing stunning landscapes uninterrupted by buildings looks like 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 smart data that has to do with the surroundings, with client habits and to attempt to have a optimistic affect on the planet and on leaving the smallest footprint potential.
You’re at present 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 tasks which might be comparable. We’re mates, we’ve songs collectively and we need to share area and study from each other.
From the tour, I feel you possibly can anticipate numerous good vibes, dancing and partying. However you may also anticipate drama and boleros — as a result of that’s what Daniel Me Estás Matando performs. By the way in which, they’re like comedians. They’re very humorous they usually use numerous humor as a inventive course of, as a story and as their approach of speaking with their viewers as nicely. And so you possibly can anticipate numerous that: irreverence and good vibes.
This received’t be your first time in L.A. What’s your relationship with this metropolis?
I at all times 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 really like that it’s a spot that represents many, many communities, many individuals residing 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 really like going to L.A. There’s already a reference to the viewers since we’ve carried out a number of reveals there. It’s fascinating and it additionally makes me very nervous as a result of the town is simply a type of iconic locations, you recognize? I’m very completely satisfied to be again.
I think about that taking part in in a metropolis that’s largely Spanish-speaking and immigrant makes issues a bit of 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 may not present up as a result of they’re too afraid to exit?
It’s a disgrace what’s taking place 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 will be helpful or comforting to them. To be a light-weight. I’m more than pleased to do it if it’s only one particular person or a 100. We’re very grateful for anybody who reveals up and desires to return and have this expertise regardless of the horrendous scenario that’s taking place.
All through your profession, you’ve collaborated with many artists from varied 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” to your 2022 album “Buen Pez.” You additionally dueted with him on stage for his “Una Tuya, Una Mía” sequence. 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 might 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 mates and new collaborations. And so the pitch was made. I known as him up and mentioned “Hey, what’s up, Bobby? I’m Caló. I actually like your music. Would you be open to the potential for doing one thing collectively?”
We went to eat at a restaurant in Mexico Metropolis and the dude simply appeared actually cool to me. He was chill, smart, clever and prudent. I now think about Bobby a very good pal, and on that event he mentioned to me, “Look, we’re right here consuming. Let’s attempt to make a tune. If it’s not good, we’re not going to file it.” He left and I felt compelled to write down a very good tune. I went to [beach town] San Pancho and labored on the tune there. I despatched it to him and he preferred 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 adore it. I additionally really feel like I actually need to do such a factor, collaborate with individuals the place the connection isn’t very apparent.
