Pelada Explained

Pelada
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Montréal, Québec, Canada
Years Active:2014–present
Current Members:
  • Chris Vargas
  • Tobias Rochman

Pelada is a Canadian musical duo which formed in 2014. The duo is composed of vocalist Chris Vargas and instrumentalist Tobias Rochman.[1] The group's music utilizes minimalist electronic instrumentation, including synthesizers, samplers and MIDI based drum machines.

Career

Their debut album Movimiento Para Cambio (2019) released by Berlin experimental electronic label PAN was described by Pitchfork as having a "subtly fraught quality—lovely as a sunset, yet disturbed by a hidden undercurrent—feels like the duo’s way of acknowledging our fundamental vulnerability",[2] while AllMusic defined the group as a "punk-informed, revolution-minded dance duo from Montreal."[3] DJ Mag called them "a vital and contemporary addition dance music’s punk canon."[4] Mixmag included them on the "Best Albums of The Decade" list saying "[a] fierce sense of urgency drives the Montreal duo’s debut album. Producer Tobias Rochman lays a foundation of bright rave synths, palpitating Latin percussive rhythms, atmospheric trance and earth-shattering acid, which vocalist Chris Vargas takes to another level with acid-tongued lyrical delivery, delving into themes spanning patriarchal oppression to surveillance culture to the impending climate catastrophe in sharp Spanish language polemics."[5]

Furthermore, Movimiento Para Cambio was featured on The Guardians "Albums and Tracks of 2019",[6] Resident Advisor's "2019's Best Albums",[7] Fact Mag's "Best Albums of 2019",[8] and topped Stereogum's "10 Best Electronic Albums of 2019" list[9]

Pelada have toured extensively throughout North America with punk groups such as Iceage,[10] as well as festivals in Mexico,[11] [12] and raves in Russia[13] and Europe,[14] including clubs such as Berlin super club Berghain.[15]

Ahora más que nunca was a longlisted nominee for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.[16]

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Music videos

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet the Montreal Techno Duo Who Are Getting Punks Dancing. 2020-10-15. www.vice.com. en.
  2. Web site: Pelada: Movimiento Para Cambio. 2020-10-14. Pitchfork. en.
  3. Web site: Pelada Biography, Albums, Streaming Links. 2020-10-15. AllMusic. en-us.
  4. Web site: 2020-02-28. Fresh Kicks 135: Pelada. 2020-10-15. DJMag.com.
  5. Web site: Mixmag - The World's Biggest Dance Music and Clubbing Destination. 2020-10-14. mixmag.net.
  6. Web site: 2019-12-20. Guardian albums and tracks of 2019: how our writers voted. 2020-10-15. the Guardian. en.
  7. Web site: 2019's Best Albums. 2020-10-15. Resident Advisor.
  8. Web site: The best albums of 2019. 2020-10-15. FACT Magazine: Transmissions from the underground. en.
  9. Web site: 2019-12-06. The 10 Best Electronic Albums Of 2019. 2020-10-15. Stereogum.
  10. Web site: ICEAGE on Instagram: “A huge thanks to every one who came out to this past month of shows in US/CA. Nadah El Shazly, Pelada & @shame has all been phenomenal tour…”. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BxUqPwNljvx . 2021-12-26 . registration. 2020-10-16. Instagram. en.
  11. Web site: 2020-02-18. NRMAL tendrá un showcase con Pelada. 2020-10-15. FILTER México. es.
  12. Web site: 2018-01-29. Festival NRMAL's 2018 Edition Features Álvaro Díaz, Mula, and More. 2020-10-15. Remezcla. en-US.
  13. News: Meet Pelada: Montreal's after-hours duo gets above ground at MUTEK CBC News. en-US. CBC. 2020-10-15.
  14. Web site: 2016-10-13. La musique de Pelada: ça promet. 2020-10-15. HuffPost Québec. fr.
  15. Web site: Programm Berghain / Panorama Bar / Säule / Halle / Kantine am Berghain — Berghain. 2020-10-15. www.berghain.berlin. en.
  16. https://www.cbc.ca/music/polaris-music-prize-2024-long-list-the-beaches-charlotte-cardin-allison-russell-1.7230166 "2024 Polaris Music Prize long list: the Beaches, Tobi, Elisapie, Beverly Glenn-Copeland and more"
  17. Web site: 2019-08-16. PAN announces debut album from Montreal's Pelada. 2020-10-15. FACT Magazine. en-US.
  18. Web site: Meet the Montreal Techno Duo Who Are Getting Punks Dancing. 2020-10-15. www.vice.com. en.
  19. Web site: Le premier single du duo electro-punk Pelada va faire monter la température de quelques degrés supplémentaires. 2020-10-15. www.vice.com. fr.
  20. Web site: Premiere: Pelada’s Desatado – The Editorial Magazine. 2020-10-15. en-US.