FOCUS

Features, essays and columns, for those looking for a bit of extra substance.

FOCUS // tortuganónima discuss their name, their influences, and their road stories

Iván Maldonado·
Chile witnessed the birth of a band which, since 2014, has been standing for all South American math rock around the globe: tortuganónima. The four Chilean boys join a range of distinct genres to their sound, such as free jazz, post hardcore, emo and math rock. They have a very fruitful career, with a very long list of accomplishments, including several tours around South America, US, Europe and Japan, and opening for toe in their most recent visit to the country.
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FOCUS // On Some Serious Swerp: Remembering the Music of Swerp Records

Tommy Walzer·
>Nestled within the rich annals of the Chicago alternative music scene, Swerp Records existed for only two years, from 2012 to 2014. Founded by J. Matthew Nix and Jonathan Mondragon, the label boasted an eclectic roster of bands from south-suburban Chicago and beyond that together present an important snapshot of a regional scene. Swerp was a modest DIY operation. Its hyper-local focus celebrated an esteemed musical pedigree while fostering a new generation of groundbreaking musicians. What started in a “punk loft” aptly named The Swerp Mansion didn’t end up evolving into much more. But the label and the bands on it made their presence felt, and their influence continues to resonate today.
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