SOURCE – MINIPONY is not necessarily a new band. Could you tell us about the band’s musical career up to the present day?
Amadeus Galiano (Guitar) – MINIPONY started in Bologna, Italy, in 2012, so it has definitely been a long journey. The band was born from our need to create music without thinking too much about genres or conventional structures. From the beginning, we combined extreme metal, mathcore, electronic elements, minimalism and the rhythmic influences we carried with us from Latin America.
Over the years, the project gradually developed between Europe and Ecuador. We released IMAGO in 2017, followed by AJNA in 2022, and now DETACH, our third official studio release. Each record represents a different stage in the process of discovering and defining our own musical identity.
We have also had the opportunity to perform throughout Latin America and Europe, at festivals such as Hell & Heaven, 70,000 Tons of Metal and Summer Breeze Brazil, as well as sharing the stage with bands such as Meshuggah and Fear Factory.
So, for sure, it’s been a long journey full of experiences and “sacrifices”, but we are very happy with what we have accomplished and with what we still have to offer.
SOURCE – Although DETACH was recorded in Ecuador at Borgo 41 Studio and mixed by Jamie Uertz, I was quite impressed by its sound quality and musicianship. What can you tell us about the production process?
Amadeus Galiano (Guitar) – DETACH was recorded at Borgo 41, MINIPONY’s own studio in Quito, Ecuador. It is our creative home: the place where we compose, rehearse, experiment with sounds and prepare our live performances.
Having our own studio allowed us to work freely, without the time restrictions or pressure of a conventional commercial studio. We could spend as much time as necessary developing the arrangements and searching for the right sound.
I was responsible for recording and producing the material.
The music is technically complex, but we did not want the production to feel overcrowded. The main challenge was to preserve the violent and organic character of the band while giving every rhythmic element enough definition and space.
We had the chance to work with Jamie Uertz again. We recorded our second album, AJNA, at SilverCord Studio and built a great relationship with him. When we were ready for the final mixing process, we wanted to travel to New York to work with Jamie on it, but instead, he proposed travelling to Quito to work on the mix in our studio. His mix gave the record clarity, depth and physical impact without making it sound artificial or excessively polished. He made the complexity of the music easier to perceive while preserving the raw energy of our performances. The final mastering was done by Juan Pablo Rivas, also in Quito.
SOURCE – One phrase in the DETACH press release caught my attention: “Latin-influenced textures.” Could you tell us which Latin influences have shaped the music featured on this new album?
Amadeus Galiano (Guitar) – For us, the Latin influence is not simply a matter of adding traditional percussion on top of metal music. It is connected more deeply to rhythm, repetition, syncopation and the physical relationship between music and movement.
We grew up surrounded by rhythms designed to move the body, and that naturally appears in the way we write riffs and organize accents. Even when the guitars are playing something very heavy or mathematically complex, there is often an underlying sense of dance.
There are also Andean and Ecuadorian percussion elements on the record, particularly in the atmosphere of “Inner Dance.” In “Pachanga,” the Latin influence appears through its rhythmic energy and through the contradiction contained in its title: the name sounds festive, while the subject of the song is actually quite deep and dark.
SOURCE – How did the production of the “Pachanga” music video come together?
Amadeus Galiano (Guitar) – The video was conceived as a visual extension of the contradiction inside the song. The word “Pachanga” suggests a celebration, but the lyrics deal with the conflict between consumer habits, compassion and the suffering involved in the industrial exploitation of animals.
We wanted the video to retain the physical and energetic character of the music while also producing a sense of discomfort. That contrast was important to us: something can initially appear attractive, familiar or entertaining, but underneath it there can be a much darker reality.
The video was developed through a very independent and hands-on process. It was directed by Emilia. For us, the visual side is not separate from the music. It is another part of the same artistic language and helps us communicate ideas in a deeper way.
SOURCE – How did the deal with Subsound Records come about?
Amadeus Galiano (Guitar) – Our relationship with Italy goes back to the beginning of the band because MINIPONY was formed in Bologna. This gave us a natural connection with the Italian underground and eventually brought us into contact with Subsound Records.
The relationship started around the release of IMAGO and continued with AJNA and now DETACH. More than a one-record arrangement, it has developed into a long-term relationship based on trust.
The most important thing for us is that Subsound understands the unconventional nature of the band. They understand that experimentation and artistic freedom are fundamental parts of MINIPONY’s identity.
Being connected to an independent European label has also helped our music reach audiences that would have been much more difficult for us to access entirely on our own from Ecuador.
SOURCE – How do you currently view the Brazilian music scene?
Amadeus Galiano (Guitar) – From my experience, Brazil has one of the strongest and most historically significant music scenes in Latin America, especially when it comes to heavy and experimental music.
Playing at Summer Breeze in São Paulo was very important for us. We were impressed by the scale and professionalism of the festival, but especially by the openness and energy of the audience. Brazilian listeners have a deep musical culture, and they can appreciate both the physical energy and the technical details of this kind of music.
It is a scene that we respect enormously. Brazil is such a large and diverse country that it almost functions as a musical continent of its own, and we would really like to return and develop a stronger connection with its audience.
SOURCE – Although Ecuador is a South American country, we Brazilians don’t know much about the Ecuadorian music scene. Could you give us some insight into the local scene?
Amadeus Galiano (Guitar) – The Ecuadorian scene is relatively small, but it is much more diverse than people outside the country might imagine. There are very interesting projects working in metal, experimental music, punk, electronic music and many other styles, often incorporating indigenous, Andean and popular influences in very personal ways.
The main challenge is the lack of stable infrastructure. There are not enough venues, festivals, labels or professional touring circuits, so bands often have to become their own producers, booking agents, designers and promoters. That can be exhausting, but it has also created a very independent and resourceful generation of artists.
Because Ecuador is not usually at the centre of the international music industry, bands here have had to develop their own identities instead of simply responding to a market. I think that is one of the scene’s greatest strengths.
There is a lot of talent and originality in Ecuador. What is still missing is greater continuity, organization, collaboration and international visibility. Part of our work with MINIPONY has always been to help create spaces and connections that make the local scene more visible.
SOURCE – Are you planning to tour South America to promote the new album?
Amadeus Galiano (Guitar) – Yes, absolutely. South America is a priority for us, and we want to continue taking DETACH to different parts of the continent. We have just finished our first promotional cycle, which included shows in Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Ecuador.
Nevertheless, our intention is to perform DETACH as widely as possible. We do not want to present it as just another isolated concert. MINIPONY has a strong audiovisual component, and we want audiences to experience the complete show.
Brazil is especially important to us because our experience there was extremely positive. We hope to return during this new cycle and build a deeper relationship with the Brazilian audience. We will announce the next dates as soon as everything is properly confirmed.
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