In the heart of Spain’s music scene, PARDALS, a quartet deeply immersed in instrumental post-rock, stands as a testament to creativity and innovation. The brainchild of four individuals already seasoned in various musical projects, the band found its genesis as a quest for a fresh musical journey.
“We, the four members of PARDALS, were already involved in some other music projects before, but at a certain point, we decided to try a new endeavor that could bring some fresh air to our rehearsals,” reveals Joan Torres, the guitarist of Pardals. “We thought some instrumental post-rock would be an interesting way, being such fans of the genre since we discovered it when Toundra’s album ‘II’ came out.“
As the band delves into their musical odyssey, one standout track, “IV,” takes center stage in the “Progstravaganza: Harmony in Complexity” compilation. Torres sheds light on the creative process behind this piece.
“This was one of the first songs we began working on (the fourth one, as you may have guessed), but it didn’t make it to our first EP cause we felt it wasn’t ready yet,” he shares. “But as soon as recording sessions were over, we got back to it and found a way to complete the song in good fit for our creative direction.“
The creation of “IV” might have taken time, but for Pardals, it felt like a captivating journey leading to a satisfying destination. Torres explains, “The song’s creation took its time, but as the song itself, it felt like a nice journey that led to a cool destination.“
A glimpse into their creative process reveals a penchant for starting with a melody or guitar riff, developing a demo, and refining it during live rehearsals. Pardals aims to elevate their game by experimenting with different tunings, time signatures, and instruments to keep their sound intriguing.
While influences from progressive rock are undeniable, Torres emphasizes the band’s focus on forging their unique musical identity. “I wouldn’t say we’re really trying to sound as any other band; we’re focused on creating our own sort of personality.“
Despite their commitment to originality, Pardals draws inspiration from a diverse array of genres. “When we get stuck or unsatisfied with some song’s part, we like to analyze how other bands attempt that situation,” Torres adds. “We may get ideas from very different influences, no matter if it’s rock, post-hardcore, jazz, or whatever style is that turns out to be an inspiration.“
However, the journey for Pardals is not without its challenges. Torres acknowledges the hurdles faced by rock bands in Spain, where booking shows is costly and risky for promoters, especially for instrumental or progressive rock acts. “Lots of challenges, and lots of patience and hard work to try to overcome them!“
Looking towards the future, Pardals remains committed to delivering their best to the audience. Torres expresses, “I can only talk for what PARDALS will be offering, and that is our best effort to deliver good songs and a cool live set to whoever listens to us.“
Reflecting on memorable moments, Torres recalls a dream come true – opening for Toundra. “We got to open for them last March in Tarragona, and they were very nice to us,” he shares. “It was just perfect in every possible way, a dream come true.“
As for personal favorites among their compositions, Torres humorously admits, “Not to brag, but we’re very proud that almost every new song we come up with gets us more excited than the existing ones.“
The conversation turns towards upcoming projects, with Pardals currently working on four new songs. However, one of them presents a unique challenge in its unconventional time signature and intricate parts.
Closing the interview, Torres expresses gratitude for being part of the compilation. “It’s a great way to find out about other upcoming acts, and I’d say it’s a pleasure to be part of any sort of community around these lesser common music styles.“
To the fans discovering Pardals through the compilation, Torres extends his thanks and hopes they enjoy the music as much as the band enjoys playing it. With a touch of humor, he concludes, “I think for an instrumental band, I have already been talking too much!“
For those eager to delve deeper into the world of Pardals, more information can be found on their Bandcamp page at www.pardals.bandcamp.com/. Follow @pardalspardals on Instagram, Facebook & Twitch for updates and insights into their musical journey.
