OTWO Magazine November 2019 | Page 24

LOS STRAVAGANT3S Environmental commitment and vibrant music of the south Compromiso ambiental y música vibrante del sur Alfredo Valencia (Verdemar Ecologistas en Acción) The Strvagant3s are an instrumental music trio formed in June 2010 and unified completely, in terms of the full formation of its members, in 2013. Having come from different musical groups of the Campo de Gibraltar such as: Cai-manes, Paan (Pedro González, drums: rock, funk and blues). K’ostativa, Back Door (Chico Andrades, guitar: grunge, funk and rock), or Dead Stoned, Vitiko Latin Jazz Quartet (Luis Lirio, bassist: rock, soul, jazz) and influenced by multiple styles, they understand music in a peculiar and different way, away from the typical clichés, but upheld by a high level of perpetual compositional in- quisitiveness and an integrity that is absolute, robust and uncompromising, in which they also choose to “subversively” add, in a very personal way, themes from different styles, groups and authors, stamping them with their own particular “hallmark” and musi- cal personality. Then in 2016 they decided to release their first album, which they titled “LABIOS CHUMBEROS”. An album comprised of twelve tracks dedicated to the region in which they live, and in which each of the titles tries to capture a faithful reflection of the current social situation of the area. Stravagan- tr3s collaborates with Verdemar Ecologistas en Ac- ción, in support and as a spokesperson for different campaigns, activities and demonstrations organised by the environmental organisation. With all kinds of contributions through their music such as: SOS Sierra Carbonera, providing videos in su- pport of afforestation and encouraging citizens to take part throughout the month of November 2016. Participation in the campaign “Campo de Gi- braltar without fossil fuels.” Stop the refinery. In February of 2015. In defence of the cork oak forests in February 2015. Campaign in defence of Valdevaqueros. For World Environmental Day in June 2013. 22 And for each and every one of the campaigns they have contributed photos and videos with di- fferent messages of support and outreach; namely: Stop Nuclear Submarine campaigns and other large scale efforts, as well as raising funds for a trip to Brussels to address environmental issues in the re- gion of the Campo de Gibraltar. Twelve songs with touches of protest, romance and melancholy, with some tinges of environmen- talism (Valdevaqueros: track number 10 of the al- bum) and in which a multitude of styles are fused together gliding over an eclectic terrain, and as such obtaining excellent reviews and critiques on a national level, on both specialist music websites and magazines. And in 2019, they launched their second work: IN THE CITY. A musical offering in the purest ‘stravagante’ style that moves between funk, funk-rock, funk-ja- zz, blues-rock, etc. A work in which they have decided to explore different musical variations, permeating with ideas and a clear intent, which is already embodied in their CD track listing, to put something as prevalent as life and diversity in cities back on the table, and in general in to the current society in which we live. (In track number 5, Wa ha, it highlights the oases that parks can generate in cities). Eleven songs that invite you to immerse your- self in music that is purely instrumental, in which its members demonstrate that they possess an ex- tensive musical background. Themes that pay ho- mage to those who have inspired them personally and musically, which once again clearly shows the consistence of their compositional inquisitiveness, their experience and their eagerness to offer some- thing different in the current and broad panorama of music. OTWO 04 / NOVEMBER 2019 OTWO 04 / NOVEMBER 2019 23