Ever since they first emerged, Miami’s Galactic Fuzz have always looked to inject a more lively edge to their vibrant slacker-rock-inspired aesthetic. And after turning out a wealth of glittering delights in recent months, they recently returned with their vibrant sophomore album ‘And The Stars’.
So with the new LP doing the rounds right now, we thought we should get to know more about their influences as well as what they have planned for the future.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
Growing up on a steady diet of rock music, we all got the itch to start playing in our early teens, and would end up meeting each other in the Miami local scene in our early twenties.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
Javier (guitars, vocals, songwriter): Classic rock is where it all started for me, so bands like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Led Zeppelin shaped my idea of what makes a great song. My sound was also shaped by 90s Alternative Rock and Brit Pop with some favorites being the Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Supergrass, Blur, Radiohead. Some of my favorite guitar players are Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmore, Jeff Beck and Slash.
Ricky (drums): I believe it’s a bit of a smoothie with different “ingredients”, at this point. Shaped by classic rock bands like Zeppelin, The Police, Queen, but also with a heavy Punk, Grunge and even latin influences. But definitely drummers like Bonham, Grohl, Copeland and many others, are a key part of my sound.
Jorge (bass): John Paul Jones, Duff McKagan, Flea
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
It’s something that we all dreamed of from an early age, but then in our 20s as we started to make professional sounding records, that’s when it really synced in.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
For me it starts with the guitar, usually a chord progression or riff, and then I start writing melodies for guitars and vocals on top of it. Sometimes I like to change things up so I will write some vocal melodies on the guitar, or guitar parts on the piano. The lyrics are usually the last part I finish writing, sometimes even years after the music is completed.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
When I write music, I let my mood guide the process. When it comes to lyrics, it depends. Sometimes I draw from my own life and emotions, other times I’m inspired by a concept from a book or a movie, and occasionally, I enjoy creating something more abstract.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
We focus on making good songs and hope that others enjoy them half as much as we do. I typically avoid explaining what a song is about because I believe everyone should have their own interpretation.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Creating music comes naturally to us, but as independent artists, promoting it is the toughest challenge. It can be frustrating to pour so much of yourself into a song, release it, and then struggle to find ways to get it heard.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
Creating a great record is the most fulfilling part—it’s our legacy as artists, something that will outlive us. But performing live is equally exhilarating; there’s nothing quite like the electric exchange of energy between us and the crowd.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
When we create songs, our goal is to satisfy our own ears, without worrying about what others might like. We immerse ourselves in a lot of music, which inevitably influences us, but we never chase trends—we simply follow what feels natural.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
We’re eager to get back on stage, so we’re planning shows in Miami, Las Vegas, and Southern California later this year, with hopes of playing even more next year. We’re also committed to making new music, with plans to start production on our next album next summer and drop a few singles leading up to it.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
We hope to continue making music for many years to come, and hope we can continue to grow our audience with each piece we release.
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Listen to Galactic Fuzz’s new album ‘And The Stars’ below.
