The Spanish Music Scene in the 90s: A Period of Growth and Diversity
The 1990s were a transformative period for Spanish music, following the vibrant yet challenging 1980s known as the Madrid “Movida.” This era saw an explosion of musical projects, primarily from Madrid, that fostered independent record labels and piqued the interest of international producers. Artists like Alaska y Dinarama, Nacha Pop, and Radio Futura were key figures in this flourishing scene.
However, the 90s presented a challenge for emerging bands like Los Planetas, formed in Granada at the start of the decade by Juan Rodríguez (“Jota”) on vocals and guitar, Florent Muñoz on guitar, and May Oliver on bass. The band was dissatisfied with the music industry’s standard practices, particularly the use of backing tracks in television performances.
Los Planetas’ Breakthrough with “Una semana en el motor de un autobús”
Los Planetas’ third album, “Una semana en el motor de un autobús” (1998), recorded in New York with the support of their record label but without founding bassist May Oliver and nearly without guitarist Florent Muñoz, is hailed by critics as one of the best Spanish albums of the 90s. The record propelled the band to international fame with tracks like “Segundo premio,” “Cumpleaños total,” and “La playa.”
The creation of this album, however, was fraught with difficulties. The band grappled with rumors of disbandment, addiction issues, creative blocks, and identity crises. The film “Segundo premio,” co-directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez, captures this tumultuous journey, focusing on friendship and creativity rather than a traditional biopic.
A Film Honoring the 90s
Lacuesta and Rodríguez aimed to create a film that balanced invention and documentation, appealing to both fans and non-fans alike. They drew inspiration from 90s cinema, including B-movies and vampire films, reflecting their own experiences growing up during that era.
The film’s unique aspect is its use of live recordings, performed by professional musicians doing covers of Los Planetas’ songs. For instance, actor and singer Cristalino portrayed guitarist Florent Muñoz. The film features almost complete songs, allowing the atmosphere and dialogue to convey the story rather than relying on inserted music.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the Spanish music scene like in the 90s? The 90s were a period of growth and diversity for Spanish music, following the vibrant yet challenging 1980s known as the Madrid “Movida.” This era saw an explosion of musical projects, primarily from Madrid, that fostered independent record labels and piqued the interest of international producers.
- Who are Los Planetas and what challenges did they face? Los Planetas is a band formed in Granada in the early 90s by Juan Rodríguez (“Jota”), Florent Muñoz, and May Oliver. They were dissatisfied with the music industry’s standard practices, particularly the use of backing tracks in television performances.
- What difficulties did Los Planetas encounter while creating their album “Una semana en el motor de un autobús”? The creation of this album was fraught with difficulties, including rumors of disbandment, addiction issues, creative blocks, and identity crises.
- How does the film “Segundo premio” portray Los Planetas’ story? The film balances invention and documentation, focusing on friendship and creativity rather than a traditional biopic. It uses live recordings performed by professional musicians doing covers of Los Planetas’ songs.
