Diandra Interviews La Ciega Gusana: Earning Your Spot, Earning Your Voice

Twenty years together and La Ciega Gusana continues to release albums that feel as exciting and refreshing as their debut. It is as if these see every album like a new layer to themselves, which is why it was such a pleasure to talk to drummer Germán Arroyo. He is one of the musicians on earth and he is a ripe blend of smart and sweet; willing to call out political sins while also excited to grow as a person and artist.

Diandra: After 2 decades, how do you feel the group has changed?

Germán: We have definitely matured. After 20 years, of course, we have changed. We have children and wives and have gone through things, as individuals, that have changed and elevated how we work together as a group. We have learned, not only to work as a group, but work as individuals in life. This has helped us realize, in new ways, our own music.
La Gusana Ciega – Amantes Modernos Ft. Sandra Corcuera (Video Oficial)

Diandra: Are there things about you that never change?

Germán: No, I think we are always changing. If we don’t change as persons and artists then we become boring to each other and ourselves. It is apart of life to never be the same, and our changes have helped us as a band.

Diandra: So you see your personal lives as inspiration for your songs, particularly the new album? Is there a specific, personal experiences that inspired?

Germán: Obviously, life gives us so many experiences that mold our music, and how we live out those experiences, independently, comes through when we come together. When we made the album, Mexico was going through so much politically. Hence, Borregas En La Niebla was talking about trying to find the truth under the rain of information and misinformation that was coming over us. We felt in the clouds because we didn’t know what to believe and the CD discusses that experience.

Diandra: Do you feel your album made you clearer about your role as a citizen?

Germán: Yeah, I mean, for sometime, we have been willing to approach harder topics. Hence, of course, we went full force into them with this album like, violence against women. When I wrote “Pasiflorine,” it was not my intention to write a song about domestic violence. Yet, as I wrote, I felt inspired by the story, and then I thought, “We have the power, as a group, to bring attention to this topic.”
La Gusana Ciega – Rock And Roll (Ácústica)

Diandra: What do you feel society can do to protect women?

Germán: I think it is about consciousness and not seeing violence against women as normal. This is atrocious, and we need to change the family dynamics and conversations held about women and violence against women.
Diandra: Do you feel being considered one of the most prolific bands of Mexico gives you a duty to speak up politically and against things like, violence against women?

Diandra: Do you feel, as one of the most prolific bands of Mexico, that you have a duty to speak up politically and socially?

Germán: I think we have been so exposed to things as a band and so exposed as a band that we, inevitably, touch upon topics like, violence against women. It should not be considered normal and men and their words should not be considered of more value above and over women. I think our music helps change that perspective, and, while it will take a long time for that to disappear, our music certainly helps. So, we don’t, necessarily, feel pressure. We have earned our spot through our music and we only feel more motivated to sing to society and sing about bettering it.
La Gusana Ciega – Rock And Roll (Ácústica)

Diandra: In honor of the song, what is it about “1987” that you most miss?

Germán: I feel the communicate was much deeper. We didn’t have cell-phones or social media. We just met with people and talked with them. We were allowed to be separate from technology to connect with people because we, literally, didn’t have it. I feel like, nowadays, we are more worried about our emojis then what we really want to say to somebody. We are worried about what an emoji means than our own words.

Diandra: Do you feel like technology has helped or blurred how people define honesty?

Germán: I think, before, you had to get closer to someone to share your truth, and technology can open us up to changing our truths.
La Gusana Ciega – Borregos En La Niebla I feat. Dr Shenka (Video Oficial)

Diandra: What has been the biggest lesson you have learned from your career?

Germán: Being a good vibe and person in people’s lives. From the beginning, you enter music to make people feel good. To make them happy and leave them dancing.

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