Los Jugos Locos: Argentine Dub Masters

As we mentioned in https://backayard.com/baywp/magazine/fidel-nadal-the-reggae-argentine/ the Argentine music scene is not one filled with Jamaican music representation, nor should it be. However, it is a testament to the cultural power of each Jamaican musical genres that a group of lads from the home of Messi and Maradona, and more pertinently Sandro de America and Mecerdes Sosa, could be so inspired to incorporate a heavy dose of reggae – and its subsidiary dub – within their catalogue. Los Jugos Locos uses their music to peach unity and to bring their listeners to their ‘movement’. BACKAYARD was privileged enough to get a hold of the band as they are putting the finishing touches on their album. Please enjoy the discourse.

How did the group get together?

We started to make music in our uncle’s studio, at 13 years, 4 of the actual 7 members. We pass trought some reggae, dub and rock projects, and in 2018 we decided to give life to Los Jugos Locos, recording our 1st studio álbum, “De Dié”. We are actually a family band, brothers causins and friends of years doing the project go ahead.

How many people are in the group and what are their responsibilities?

The musicians are 8 right now. Mauro on voice and synth, Franco on synth, keys and oscillator. Bruno, guitars and chorus, Facundo on bass, Daniel on percussion and Lucha on chorus. On the drums we got Mariano and Santiago too.
The group works to make all responsibilities as an independent band, doing all the stuff as Digital Marketing, Promotion, Interviews, Shows, Design, Recording, Mixing and Media Working.
Also there’s Renacer Collage on art and design, Cual Conejo VJ on live VR set and Gucho as sound engineer.

Were you all involved in music before the band formed?

No, in fact Franco incorporation to the band and the project in all forms, was a necesary musical thing that Mauro needed to can do a well performance on stage. We’re brothers, so I (Mauro) told him to join and at the same time, learn to play keys to record an álbum. He was a really reggae lover, didn’t was many difficult for Fran. Lucha and Marian didn’t play too much reggae music before Los Jugos. The rest of us have some good experience playing it.

Why dub/reggae music?

Reggae came into our life, when we where very young. We grow up listening Jamaican and UK artist as Bob (Marley), Peter (Tosh), Steel Pulse, and local bands as Los Cafres and Nonpalidece, for example. Two people make it possible: our father Claudio who listened some reggae bands in radio of the other one, Santi Palazzo, a great journalist specialized in reggae in Argentina. But then we started to go to any show of reggae and dub local and international and then to compose and write reggae songs in “argentino”, naturally. Also as social way to fight of course! Dub, cause we love King Tubby, Scientist, Mad Professor, and the great Greg Morris and the psychedelic trip and sound investigation.

Has your band ever been to Jamaica?

No. We’re working hard to go! With this combination with Greg, Mystic Way, we hope to open some doors and ears to make it possible and share the real reggae vibe whit him! The band has a good show to stay all time vibing high.

Where are the countries has Los Jugos Locos performed in?

In Argentina, of course, and planning to go to Costa Rica next year. In lockdown times, we performed in Pulso’s Reggae Streaming Festival on 2021 for Peru and all Latin America, as one of the central bands.

What is your favourite thing about being in a band?

There’s many things that makes us to go foward into music. The creativity is a field of freedom very important for us, more in this rare and chaotic times. The vibe to play this music specially is something so beautiful, and we’ve got the luck that our public is very noisy, gives all each show and makes every one better than the other. That gives us a plus of energy to fight in Babylon without doubt.

Musically, where do you see the sound of Los Jugos Locos going?

The band is going to a latin, afro dub sound. The second Album, Senda Mística, has more dub music, but also rocker, Latin and afro style. Has roots songs but the sound is changing to something more progressive, as Jamaican music is doing too. We listen many music to compose without being in one way, but never forgetting the essential message.

(Disclaimer: While neither English nor Patois are Mauro’s first languages, he was quite proficient with both. However there were certain phrasings within the interview that are more commonly associated with native Spanish speakers. Please enjoy with that in mind) 

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Amilcar Lewis

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