Q&A: Púrpura Contra el Mal Creates Jazz for the Future
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY KYLEE WIENS ☆
Credit: Amaury Rivera
IN THE VELVETY NIGHTS AND NEON LIGHTS OF MEXICO CITY, jazz is far from being dead. On a cool and rainy night in September 2024, my friends and I stumbled into Casa Franca - an unassuming facade gave way to a smokey and impeccably decorated jazz club. As we hadn’t made reservations, we were seated in a quiet room separate from the main stage. A few lovely cocktails later, beautiful sounds wafted in. A free-flowing, experimental jazz band had taken the stage, and we were instantly captivated. Classical jazz sounds danced with hip-hop-style flow and indie-rock vocals to produce a sound unlike anything I had heard before. After chatting with our bartender in broken Spanish, we managed to get ourselves moved into seats right in front of the stage. Colors and sounds and smells flashed before me, and before I knew it, the performance had ended. I did something uncharacteristically brave for myself in that moment - I approached the band and asked if they’d be open to an interview. Púrpura Contra el Mal graciously agreed, and we met at a coffee shop a few days later.
Note: My conversation with the band took place in both Spanish and English, but is translated to English.
I sat down with bassist Benjamín Garcia and guitarist/vocalist Aarón Flores over a few matcha lattes and croissants. We chatted everything from music to skating to food to travel - but most importantly, about jazz.
When it comes to getting inspired to make music, they explained that listening to music plays a big role. Ben said, "Sometimes I hear something interesting—not to copy it—but to understand what's happening musically or theoretically. It might spark something that develops into my own idea." They added that moods and emotions often inspire them as well. "It’s about finding something that makes me feel something."
We discussed the influence of electronic sounds on their work, and I asked if jazz or electronic music has been more inspiring lately. They mentioned exploring a mix but didn’t pinpoint specific artists. However, they did share that walking often inspires them creatively. "Walking really helps me feel inspired, but it’s tough to translate that feeling into work once I’m back home."
When asked about the challenges and joys of sharing their music, Aarón said, "Sometimes, I feel insecure about what I’m sharing because the songs are personal. That makes it hard to put myself out there." They also spoke about the difficulty of finding an audience, especially with platforms like Spotify. "There’s so much music, and algorithms tend to favor specific genres. It’s harder when your music doesn’t fit neatly into one category."
I asked if creativity is easier to find in happiness or sadness. Ben reflected, "I used to think it was easier when I was sad, but I don’t think that anymore. Inspiration often comes from the act of working itself. It’s about taking steps to be creative, not just waiting for the feeling to come."
Outside of music, Ben mentioned skating as a hobby, although it’s tough in their current location due to uneven streets and safety concerns. "I loved skating in Barcelona—it’s so easy there, and they have a great skate scene."
Credit: Amaury Rivera
We then discussed whether genre still matters in today’s music. They believe it does, especially for building an audience. "If you’re in between genres, it can be harder to connect. Jazz fans might say, 'This isn’t jazz,' and hip-hop fans might say, 'This isn’t hip-hop,' but there are people who find it interesting. It’s just harder to find them."
Ben reflected on how music is tied to culture and identity. "When I left Mexico, I realized how much my Latin roots influenced me. It’s in how we interact with people and how that translates into music."
Finally, I asked if they feel pressured to fit into a specific box or genre. "No, we don’t try to fit into any specific category. It’s more about staying authentic and letting the music speak for itself." The music does, in fact, speak volumes. An earnest, DIY approach differentiates the band from their new-age counterparts. Emotive and introspective, Flores’ vocal delivery evokes ‘90s shoegaze with a modern flair. Drummer Andrès Marquez embodies free jazz with his lightning fast improvisation and clever syncopation. Bassist Ben Garcia maintains the pulse of the band, blending years of musical training and expertise with an innovative approach to indie-rock. The result is sharp, future-facing jazz sound with a finger on the pulse of genre-defying music. Do yourself a favor and check out Púrpura Contra el Mal on YouTube, and stay tuned for their future releases. You won’t regret it.
