Colombia’s best kept secret, Sons of Hidden and Serge André, combine the South American ethic of groove with the contemporary flavors of Techno, and have piqued our interests for artists to watch in 2024.
Preparing for their latest album to drop on their very own Mammboh Rhythms records, and another for Mood Supplier Records, they have a lot to be excited about. Catching them in the midst of Serge’s first solo European tour, we get deep about the state of Techno, what drives their passion, and how growing up in Colombia has influenced their perspectives on life and music.
DE: We all love a ‘where it all started’ story, what were you two wildings like as teenagers?
Juan: I was really good at playing soccer, so I think everything revolved around sports. I also always had a lot of friends, and that led me to become an event promoter at a very young age.
Serge: My teenage years were a lot of fun; I lived in a very small town, was very active, a complete lover of extreme sports, and a very good athlete.
DE: You both grew up in the heart of Colombia… How did you spark the flame into a journey deep into music?
Serge: For as long as I can remember, I have been a very music-loving person. Since I was a child, I participated in school bands, and I think that’s where my interest in making music a fundamental part of my life began.
Juan: In my family, we’ve always enjoyed good music and great parties. At some point, I played the guitar very well and had some talented friends from my school, but I think my interest in electronic music came from being a fan of computers, programming, video games, and software in general.
Discovering FL Studio and Ableton definitely changed my life. I always liked the music from video games, and being able to translate those first ideas that connected these magical and dystopian worlds, was a really awesome feeling.
DE: It’s so rare to find something you love so deeply. Do you recall a moment where you realized you were truly in love with music? What brought you to start producing your own music?
Serge: From a very young age, around 6 years old, I was attracted to electronic music with a trance factory cassette.
Years later, a cousin, who was one of my mentors in music, gave me three crucial albums:
- Experience by The Prodigy
- Push The Button by The Chemical Brothers
- Homework by Daft Punk
This gift solidified my entry into the underground electronic music world of that time. What motivated me to produce music was taking on this path professionally, so I could show a bit of my soul in every track and every session.
Juan: I have always had a passion for writing stories, tales, or ‘loose thoughts,’ and I think I found the narrative and connection with those ‘imaginary worlds’ in music. In music, with few ‘words’ I can transform and transmute emotions into dance, which I believe is one of humanity’s most beautiful ancestral activities.
DE: It seems you both found the passion quite early, what drew you most to Techno music over other genres of music to express yourself?
Serge: Since I was a child one of my dreams was to go to an electronic music party. I don’t know why, but I feel like this path was always open for me, like a mission I came to fulfill during my lifetime on Earth.
Juan: At first, it was the energy and unity on the dance floor when I went for the first few times. Later, when I started to understand the ‘why,’ it became a lifestyle. The philosophy and integrity of the dance floor have been a truly important experience in my life.
DE: It truly is a spiritual experience for many and as you both describe, it can be very meaningful as well. The magic that is created on the dancefloor is one of the gifts that sparks many deep realizations and emotions for people all over the world. This kind of unity is something many hold dear and is a cornerstone for dance culture.
How did you two unite and what sparked you to embark on producing together and further committing to the live environment for your gigs?
Serge: We met in Medellín, playing separately at similar events. I had a studio where we handled the entire audio production and post-production process for bands of all kinds of music with other colleagues.
One day, I invited Juan to come over, and we sat down to make music there. From that day, and after almost 10 years, we’ve remained very close and continue working together.
Juan: To build on that notion, the first time I went on tour outside of Colombia was to Argentina in 2012. On that occasion, I went to an event at Cocoliche featuring only live sets, and it was a unique experience for me. From that moment, my search for artistic expression began, which later became an artistic need that I shared with Sergio when we met and spent time together in his studio.
After a year of working together, we decided to unite and turn it into a project that changed our lives. That first encounter with analog synthesizers truly blew my mind. I believe music was really the force that introduced us and created the brotherhood that we still have to this day.
DE: The way the two of you talk about your experiences gives me the chills in the best way. You seem deeply connected to not only each other but your relationship with music. How would you say your surroundings and culture has seasoned your sound?
Serge: Our multicultural continent and the rich, rhythmic legacy of Colombia constantly influence us in our creation process. They inspired us to create Mammboh Rhythms Records, celebrating Latin American and global cultures and rhythms in every release, but especially those from the Andean region.
Juan: In my case, I think it has shaped the way I produce music and how I tell stories today. The native rhythms, grooves, and swings of Latin musicians and artists have definitely been my biggest influence. I grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Medellín, with a hostile environment and few opportunities for anyone, but in contrast to the beautiful stories from the neighborhood.
Besides having two large families, I’m fortunate to have two very committed and professional parents who always guided and supported me in everything I decided to do, and I think they have also been major influences on me. To this day, I tend to tell some of those stories, which is why I always say that it’s an energetic exchange and a combination between light and darkness.
DE: These are such beautiful sentiments. If you could tell people one thing about Colombia, what would you want to tell them?
Serge: I would tell them to visit Colombia. It’s a beautiful country with wonderful people; you probably won’t want to leave.
Juan: We have so many colors and such rich multiculturalism, that you probably can’t even imagine. Even with the silly taboos that exist, the reality is completely different, and it’s full of human beings with an admirable warmth. And it’s not just because I’m from here, but honestly, coldness doesn’t exist in this country.
DE: I can certainly feel the vibrant energy from the two of you and I can sense exactly what you describe. I think any of us would be lucky to visit and experience Colombia and honestly I’m dying to see and hear all of the beautiful things that have influenced you. On a global scale, what do you think makes Latin American Techno different from other kinds of Techno?
Serge: Latin American Techno is distinguished by its tribal heritage, percussion, and chants that our ancestors practiced in ceremonies to connect with the spirits of nature.
All of this was inherited, and it has made Latin Techno spicy, hot, sexy, and striking, but above all, very danceable and full of soul.
Juan: We definitely know what it means to dance from a young age. Rhythm is ingrained in us, that’s for sure. We don’t learn it; we are born in it and with it.
DE: I can attest to the ease of the grooves you deliver. It isn’t a shock that you say you are born with rhythm because you can genuinely feel it in your productions. Now that your name is growing in the Techno scene, do you think you will remain based in Colombia or could you see yourself moving to another place or country?
Serge: It’s very likely something that will happen. I don’t know how long it might take, since it’s always been considered, but it’s something that can’t be done impulsively or recklessly. Each step has to be a firm step.
Juan: I’ll probably move to expand my horizons in my career. Not as I initially planned, because I love living on this mountain, but I’m realistic. It’s a place influenced by foreign movements, but I see it as very difficult for a solid industry to grow here that integrates the importance of an artist in today’s society in a professional way.
Don’t get me wrong, the Techno scene here is actually great, and it’s expanding throughout the country, but it’s not something Colombia as a country is interested in integrating into its government.
DE: It seems the world is opening up its arms for both of you. Serge, you are currently engaged in a European tour, where are you most excited to play or have played and why?
Serge: I truly believe that every date and every place has something special for me. However, one date that is particularly special is November 2nd, as my birthday is on the 3rd. I will surely be celebrating my birthday doing what I love most in life, and coincidentally, it is also the anniversary celebration of the club. It’s a magical place located in Rostock, Germany, called UKW Kraftwerk, and it is one of the most altruistic projects I have encountered in my musical journey.
DE: That sounds so incredibly magical. For all those close to Rostock, grab your tickets and buckle up! The SOH project is an immersive LIVE experience, what is the biggest challenge for you in the live environment?
Juan: The biggest challenge is not losing the narrative. Without lyrics, being able to be honest and tell stories that the audience doesn’t know yet and can relate to is something we value a lot.
DE: It’s such a cool concept to be delivering a story to your audiences. One narrative that has perhaps gotten a bit lost in the sauce is that of the rise of TikTok or Hard Techno. Do you feel like Hard Techno has made an impact on the atmosphere of the clubs and venues you’ve played in?
Serge: Ok, first of all, I want to say that real Hard Techno has all my respect. Secondly, what is currently in hype doesn’t seem to me to be Hard Techno; it feels more like a combination of Hardcore with Industrial, Pop vocals, and Rock or Metal edits. I believe this, like everything else, has an impact on the scene. As Lord DVS1 once said, “this is the new EDM”. The positive side is that it can serve as a gateway to electronic music for many people.
Juan: I really think that beyond the Hard Techno movement itself — like EDM in its time — it’s been the hype and excess of information that has somewhat blurred the essence. We were aware of the post-pandemic phenomenon, and especially that the kids who had just come of age were eager to go to all sorts of clubs and festivals. What they found was social media and the internet. That’s why today you see these massive events where the Instagram face is on the flyer. But that’s not the fault of the music or the movement. So yeah, people have also asked me if I can play at higher BPMs, lol.
DE: Such a poignant review. It does seem to hold weight that the pandemic has made an impact on the way we deliver music to the masses. I will definitely be keeping my ears peaked to hear if you break the bank on BPMs in the future.
Aside from the ever growing, insanely fast BPM tracks ruling the youth, what is a track that has had a serious impact on your personal musical style?
Serge: For me, it’s really difficult to choose just one track from so many great ones out there. But one thing is for sure: one of the most beautiful and iconic tracks in electronic music for me is “Jaguar” by DJ Rolando.
Juan: “Ruins” by Portico Quartet and “Bitches Brew” by Miles Davis
DE: Your latest EP “Templo Del Tambor” is set to be released October 3rd on your label Mammboh Rhythms Records. What was the mission behind your latest tale to tell?
Juan: Our mission was to honor the temples that have kept our communities united and, as always, to pay tribute to rhythm.
DE: You two have sewn many seeds since your birth as Sons of Hidden, what is next in cultivation for the label?
Juan: To tell our story and build the bridges that the algorithm doesn’t favor. To showcase the art of great Latin American artists alongside our brothers from other continents.
After our October 3rd release, we’ve got two last releases for this year. One will be out next month and is a collaboration with Sons Of Hidden, Serge André, Zisko, and Human Safari, with six powerful tracks. And the last, is an incredible VA, but we can’t say more about that right now, except, really good music is coming!
DE: We are so very much looking forward to what is to come on Mammboh Rhythms. Your unique style has left a mark that travels across the globe and inquiring minds would love to know, if you could curate your own 24hr event line-up how would you arrange it?
Serge
12:00 – 15:00 Kerri chandler
15:00 – 18:00 Mr. G Live
18:00 – 21:00 Fadi Mohem
21:00 – 24:00 DVS1
24:00 – 03:00 Anika kunst
03:00 – 06:00 Ben Sims
06:00 – 09:00 D-Leria
09:00 – 12:00 Function
Juan: Definitely jazz, experimental music, and lots of beautiful live acts.
DE: Such an incredible duo with an immense amount of heart and soul. Don’t miss their latest drop ‘Templo Del Tambor’ from their very own Mammboh Rhythm Records coming this Thursday, October 3rd, available for purchase and preview on Bandcamp and other music platforms. As well as their latest Sons of Hidden release, ‘Niños Santos’ for Mood Supplier Records on Friday, October 4th.
– Interview by Jen Warra
Links
RA: https://ra.co/dj/sonsofhidden
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/sons-of-hidden
Bandcamp: https://sonsofhidden.bandcamp.com
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