Meet Luis Bolanos | Musician & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luis Bolanos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luis, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by punk rock and forward motion. I think we search for artistic truth in the blemishes of life, because anything worth telling a story has turns and mistakes. Great albums of the past that have made an impact on me have been Songs in the Key of Life, Madvillainy and The Colour and the Shape. I don’t think I can make up that mix unless taking into account what I’ve lived and how these sounds have made me realize things about the world I inhabit.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a drummer, producer, and videographer from Managua, Nicaragua. I came about eleven years ago to the US, and already had a background as a musician with Téléviser, a post-rock band and artistic collective that started with me and four other friends in 2012.

I have been able to write and record four EPs, including one that came out this March, tour Mexico and Central America with them as a completely independent project. But more recently, I have played with multiple acts in the Miami scene, such as Le Poodle, AlexQ, and Soleil. I’ve also began working with two new projects, Mitotili which features a blend of afro-house and live percussion, and also as the drummer for El Cuartito Sessions, where four musicians and a featured singer make covers into original versions.

As a musician, the challenge for me has been to always stay working and finding where to play. A big factor that has helped me has been leaning into my fellow musicians and creatives, where I find ways to support them for the sake of building community, and making sure to stay ready if an opportunity presents itself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I could plan it all out, which I’m not very good at – I would probably start by taking them to have some Peruvian food, at Divino Ceviche, I would definitely take them to see a little of Wynwood and the art that’s there but I would also expose them to the greatness of Little Haiti and Little River, have some tacos at Taquería La Santa – which is slept on in my opinion.

Another great sight to see is the city from the Perez Art Museum, specially at golden hour. And of course, you can’t miss the beach but it would most likely be North Beach or Key Biscayne, Crandon Park is one of the all time great Miami spots.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a shoutout to Alexa Zogaib, she’s an incredible belly dancer, producer and artist all around. She’s been my partner for over ten years, and I think her work and her way to live through what she loves inspires me every day. And I would also like to shoutout Taylor Hawkins, my drumming hero and who I learned everything from.

Website: https://lbolanossm.webflow.io/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbolanossm/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/groovealien

Image Credits
©CORRIENTES Studio and ©Téléviser