MUSIC
Amantes del Futuro - The cumbia artist reimagining
Mexico's roots through electronic sound
by ROB HALHEAD
Amantes del Futuro is the project of composer and producer Immanuel Miralda, who has set out to reimagine cumbia for the future. Blending electronic experimentation with Mexico’s rich musical roots, his work is both a tribute to tradition and a vision of what’s still to come. We spoke to him to find out more.
1: Can you tell us the story behind Amantes del Futuro? How did it all begin?
I am a composer and producer, a musician since I was a kid. I started playing violin at 4, then guitar, piano, and finally studied musical composition. I always wanted to make music for films, and at some point I got my first computer and started making electronic music — ambient, techno, instrumental hip hop, dub. But I always wanted to make warmer music, more Mexican.
In 1994, I made some cumbia experiments while still practising other styles, but in 2002, a very popular song, El Paso del Gigante by Grupo Soñador, was released. It became a huge cumbia hit in my country. The song was very electronic, and with that inspiration, I found the path I wanted to follow: electronic music in a popular and very Mexican style. Then I decided I was going to make an original cumbia project and call it Amantes del Futuro, in pursuit of a futuristic vision for the evolution of cumbia.
It took me many years to develop my cumbias and finally release albums I was happy with, but it was worth it.
In 1994, I made some cumbia experiments while still practising other styles, but in 2002, a very popular song, El Paso del Gigante by Grupo Soñador, was released. It became a huge cumbia hit in my country. The song was very electronic, and with that inspiration, I found the path I wanted to follow: electronic music in a popular and very Mexican style. Then I decided I was going to make an original cumbia project and call it Amantes del Futuro, in pursuit of a futuristic vision for the evolution of cumbia.
It took me many years to develop my cumbias and finally release albums I was happy with, but it was worth it.
2: What inspired the name, and what does Amantes del Futuro mean to you?
I like this term I invented because it has many meanings. Originally it was about that quest for futuristic cumbia, but it was also an expression I used with a couple of friends when I talked about a girl I was in love with — though nothing happened until many, many years later. And when that love finally did happen, it was amazing… one of my best relationships.
3: Is there a core philosophy or manifesto that guides your work?
Yes, many personal ideas. But mainly, for me, cumbia is a very mystical Latin musical style that unites many Latin American countries. This can also happen with salsa, but for me, salsa doesn’t have the same depth, mystical feeling, or roots.
Cumbia is a very old rhythm that integrated Indigenous, African, and Spanish/Western cultures. For me, cumbia means union.
Cumbia is a very old rhythm that integrated Indigenous, African, and Spanish/Western cultures. For me, cumbia means union.
4. How do you approach your projects? What does your creative process look like?
I’m very hyperactive musically. I’ve made a lot of projects, both with other people and alone. Everything can inspire me — my country, Latin America, movies, paintings, old cultures, art, electronic sounds, landscapes… whatever. Making music is amazing.
A song can come from an idea, a color, a melody, a word, a phrase, a story, a name, a rhythm, a feeling, or even an audio sample. The important thing is to learn how to develop your ideas.
A song can come from an idea, a color, a melody, a word, a phrase, a story, a name, a rhythm, a feeling, or even an audio sample. The important thing is to learn how to develop your ideas.
5. Do you see yourself fitting into a genre, or moving beyond categories?
I have other projects for other genres, but Amantes del Futuro is just cumbia. I also have some tribales (a modern Mexican electronic upbeat style close to cumbia) that I made several years ago but haven’t released yet. But yes, this project is strictly cumbia.
6: Who or what are your biggest influences, past or present?
So many… from African roots music to classical to modern electronics. Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Arvo Pärt, Satie, Burial, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Beastie Boys, Enya, Prodigy, Cypress Hill, Atahualpa Yupanqui, Grupo Soñador, Juan García Esquivel, Miles Davis, Leonard Cohen, José José, Grupo Kual, Jorge Reyes, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Ana Gabriel, Rigo Tovar, Brian Eno, Peter Tosh, Selena, King Tubby, Grupo Soñador, Chet Baker, Missy Elliott, Mad Professor, Andrés Landero, Etta James, The Cramps, Pérez Prado, Massive Attack, Sonido La Changa, Kraftwerk, Mazzy Star, Bronco, The Ramones, Sepultura, Portishead, Sonic Youth, Lana del Rey, Polymarchs, Silvestre Revueltas, Damas Gratis, Salif Keita, Grupo G, Philip Glass, Nina Simone, Jeanette, Chico Che, Grupo Glass, Nina Simone, Jeanette, Chico Che, Grupo Maravilla, Mulatu Astatke, Grupo Ginsu, Chemical Brothers, Xavier Pasos, Elvis, Juan Gabriel, Björk, William Onyeabor, Sonido La Conga, Mi Banda El Mexicano, Wim Mertens, Fela Kuti, Lisandro Meza, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Billy Boyo, Joy Division, Los Temerarios, Machinedrum, DJ Shadow, Super Grupo Colombia, Angelo Badalamenti, Les Baxter, Rhythm & Sound, Ennio Morricone, Pole, Los Daddys, Zafiro Zafiro, Turbo Sonidero, Grupo Jejeje, Orihuela MSS, Plastic Toy Sounds, Kumbia Net, Los Wendys… and so many more.
7: How do you choose who to work with when collaborating on projects?
There are a lot of bands, singers, and musicians I would love to collaborate with, and fortunately, some of those collaborations have happened over time. I hope to do even more. Other collaborations come from invitations from musician friends or other jobs.
8: What projects are you currently working on that excite you the most?
I have many songs for this project that I still need to finish and release as albums. I just need more time to do it. With all the travelling I’m doing now, I haven’t been able to finish them, but they all excite me!
9: Where do you see Amantes del Futuro in 5–10 years?
I hope to finish many more albums, release vinyls, do the collaborations I want, and travel to more and more cities and countries. I hope my project keeps growing organically as it has so far, so I can share my music with more people everywhere and play bigger festivals and concerts.
10: If you could send one message into the future, what would it be?
When humanity truly heals its xenophobic thoughts and ideas and learns to respect all beings, cultures, traditions, and nature — when we learn that helping and collaborating, and that health, are more important than wealth and selfishness — maybe, just maybe, this civilizations will enter a new era of consciousness and evolution.