About Rey Pila and Their Musical Evolution
Rey Pila, a band led by Diego Solórzano, has evolved from a solo project to a full-fledged band, carving its own path outside the mainstream music industry conventions. The group’s fourth album, “Estan Strange I” (Arts & Crafts, 2025), showcases their unique sound and continuous evolution.
Background on Rey Pila
Rey Pila emerged from the ashes of Solórzano’s previous project, Los Dynamite. The band’s debut album, also titled “Rey Pila,” was released in 2010 and is considered more of a solo project. However, the band’s formation solidified with the addition of Rodrigo Blanco, Andrés Velasco, and Miguel Hernández, and the release of the single “Alexander.”
Collaborations and Discography
Rey Pila signed with Cult Records, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes’ label, and released “The Future Sugar” in 2015. They followed with EPs “Wall of Goth” (2017) and “Lucky No.7” (2019), along with their third full-length album, “Velox Veritas,” in 2020.
Behind the Production of “Estan Strange I”
Produced by Paul Salva at Sonic Ranch Studios in Marfa, Texas, “Estan Strange I” marks Rey Pila’s return to blending English and Spanish lyrics, a characteristic of their debut album. The new work presents a minimalist sound, reminiscent of nightclub music.
The Creative Process
Rodrigo Blanco mentions that the band took more time than usual to create “Estan Strange I,” stating, “Possibly this was the album that took us the most time.” The band entered the recording process with well-formed ideas, tracks, or stems already laid out.
Collaboration with Paul Salva
Paul Salva’s expertise in electronic music production proved essential in avoiding overproduction. His focus on beats led to meticulous work on drum sounds, cymbal crashes, and frequency balance in mixes.
Refining Their Sound
Andrés Velasco explains that the band has remained faithful to their system, with Solórzano developing ideas and presenting them as fully arranged songs when they enter the studio. This approach allows them to concentrate on refining details like vocals, drums, and guitars.
Upcoming Performances
Rey Pila plans to return to the studio soon for their next album. In the meantime, they have scheduled performances in Monterrey on September 19 and Guadalajara on October 24, supported by Promiseland and The Shelter.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Rey Pila? Rey Pila is a band led by Diego Solórzano, evolving from a solo project to a full-fledged band with a unique sound outside mainstream conventions.
- What is “Estan Strange I”? The fourth album by Rey Pila, blending English and Spanish lyrics with a minimalist sound inspired by nightclub music.
- Who produced “Estan Strange I”? Paul Salva, known for his electronic music production expertise.
- What are Rey Pila’s upcoming performances? The band will perform in Monterrey on September 19 and Guadalajara on October 24, supported by Promiseland and The Shelter.
