In 2005, a Peruvian band caught the attention of their fans and those who had yet to hear of them.   Following the launch of their eagerly awaited debut album, they received the recognition of the public and the specialized music press, appearing on the list of the year's best releases and becoming known as one of the most talented alternative bands around.
 
Rock and roll that transports the listener through psychedelic and progressive flirtations to acidic musical spaces of the mind: That is Nudo de Espejos in a nutshell.   The Peruvian band released their first record in August 2005 and made their live debut at a sell-out gig at "La Noche de Barranco" cultural centre.
 
Swapping the stage for the recording studio and occasionally performing alongside popular bands such as El Aire and Presidente Morsa , amongst others, the band that formed in 1999 started recording at the end of 2003, after a
long period of playing live music.   Their first release was recorded in analogue format in their own studio -allowing them greater creative freedom. The production and recording were done by Kiko Sánchez Monzón and Dante Pineda Palomino, founding members of the band who, along with Iván Mindrau ( Presidente Morsa / Los Dickens / Líbido ), also took charge of the mixing and mastering of the album.
 
Recorded on a Portastudio 4-track on the Flex Tone label -creation of the original band members-, the album includes three largely instrumental tracks, and another seven with lyrics in perfect contrast to the melodies, taken up by wind instruments and strident guitars to suit the song. There are also some delicious solos that blend into the overall feel of the piece.   Sounds influenced by groups like Velvet Underground and Pink Floyd might spring to the mind of the keen listener. Despite this, the band's first record still stands on its own as an original offering.
 
Well-known members of the local music scene have collaborated with the band on this production, such as Julio Pérez, Dante "Choclito" Oliveros, and Victor Vásquez from the band La Sarita ; Pablo Saldarriaga from La Roja ; and César Sáenz from Presidente Morsa , amongst others.   Ex-members of the group from the past six years also made their contributions, condensing into the final result the essence of Nudo de Espejos from the beginning to the present.   It is indeed an important album that shows the evolution of a national band, with their own style, that is trying -like many- to maintain the respect of their local scene by building up a fan base and keeping them satisfied.
 
The success of their first album has put them on the list of best releases of the year and amongst the most outstanding bands of the local alternative scene.   Nudo de Espejos , whose members also include Sergio Llerena (drums) and Danny Tataje (guitar), are currently preparing to shoot a video for the track "Velocidad", as well as recording an EP that will be a collection of four songs sharing a common theme and entitled "Oniria en el espejo". It is hoped that this most recent creation will be released by the middle of this year. And after that, of course, they are planning to produce a new album.

By: Patricia Velásquez

Translated by Kate Stansfield