BALTHVS
BALTHVS - is a Colombian psychedelic funk trio formed in December 2019. Best known for their eclectic style, which fuses elements of Middle Eastern Music, Disco, House, Funk, Psychedelia, Indie Rock, Surf and Cumbia into a cohesive whole. The band is notable for their energetic shows, live improvisation and prolific output. Since their formation, the band has released over 26 singles and 2 full length albums, accumulating over 2.5 million streams worldwide. Starting with SXSW 2022, the group has toured the United States twice and played Main Stage at Rock al Parque 2022, the biggest music festival in Colombia.
BALTHVS is:
Balthazar Aguirre (Guitar, Vocals)
Johanna Mercuriana (Bass, Vocals)
Santiago Lizcano (Drums, Vocals)
Selection by Balthazar Aguirre
Soul Sacrifice - Santana
I remember discovering the Woodstock movie back when I was a kid, watching Santana play the legendary closer ‘Soul Sacrifice’ around an ocean of people. That certainly had an impact on my young self. Like a portal from where I found so much music that would inspire me in the future.
Galatea’s Guitar - Gabor Szabo
Because of Santana I found Gabor, he played a cover on the famous ‘Abraxas’ album. A short one called ‘Gypsy Queen’. It truly felt hypnotic, psychedelic, like a snake charmer putting the serpent into a trance. I noticed he was barely known and started uploading his albums on my label's youtube channel, this was 8 years ago. That album, ‘Dreams’, now has 8 million views and because of it this album has been reissued 3 times. Check it out on ‘Cubensis Records’ It’s the least I could do!
Dreamcatcher - Bahramji
Psychedelic music felt like an opening to being different, thinking differently. In my early 20s I started getting into yoga, meditation, vegetarianism and this was the soundtrack. A great mixture where ancient meets the new, great beats and timeless melodies.
Cemalim - Erkin Koray
A fascination with everything eastern made me search further and that got me to Turkish Music! In the 60s they remade all of their traditional music, with electric guitars and drum kits, the music was now electric. The Spanish tinged Cemalim puts me into a trance. I don’t speak Turkish but I certainly feel the message.
Help On The Way - Grateful Dead
If Santana made me a psychedelic music convert, the Grateful Dead made me a full time devotee. Extended instrumental improvisation between the whole band, songs that would just dissolve into the void only to land back again onto a calm ballad. The amazing mixture of genres like rock, country, funk, jazz, bluegrass and the timeless lyrics made me feel right at home. Every now and then when I need to recover I just put on a Dead concert, there is nothing like it!
Savanne - Khruangbin
Finding Khruangbin was finding an older brother you never knew you had, someone just as eclectic, with more experience and with a bigger crate to dig from. This collaboration with Ali Farka Toure’s son Vieux just has so many of the elements I love in music. Most of all, it’s groovy.
Cherish the Day - Sade
There’s gotta be a balance between the masculine and the feminine. If you need to awake that sensual, subtle side within you just put Sade. She puts you in such an elegant mood and vibe. Can’t beat the coolness she irradiates.
Nightrider - Tom Misch
Finding Tom Misch just gave me more hope for modern music, you just feel how much he is into it and he is a monster guitar player. Add Yussef Dayes on drums and you create the perfect groove.
Fly Away - Laid Back
This was my post pandemic desert island song for 2 good years. Sometimes you just know.
Be Yourself - Air Power
I live in a country where dancing is so much part of the culture, I just wasn’t into it. That is, until I started listening to disco music, the uncontrollable tap of your foot, the groove just gets you. I can’t believe rock musicians were against disco back in the 70s, this just slaps.
