Pelada | |
|---|---|
 Pelada press photo | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Montréal, Québec, Canada |
| Genres |
|
| Years active | 2014–2024 |
| Labels |
|
| Members |
|
Pelada was a Canadian musical duo which formed in 2014. The duo is composed of vocalist Chris Vargas and instrumentalist Tobias Rochman. [1] The group's music emphasizes minimalist electronic instrumentation, including synthesizers, samplers and MIDI based drum machines, coupled with Vargas's Spanish-language lyrics.
Their debut album Movimiento Para Cambio (2019) released by Berlin experimental electronic label PAN was described by Pitchfork as having a "subtly fraught quality—lovely as a sunset, yet disturbed by a hidden undercurrent—feels like the duo’s way of acknowledging our fundamental vulnerability", [2] while AllMusic defined the group as a "punk-informed, revolution-minded dance duo from Montreal." [3] DJ Mag called them "a vital and contemporary addition dance music’s punk canon." [4] Mixmag included them on the "Best Albums of The Decade" list saying "[a] fierce sense of urgency drives the Montreal duo’s debut album. Producer Tobias Rochman lays a foundation of bright rave synths, palpitating Latin percussive rhythms, atmospheric trance and earth-shattering acid, which vocalist Chris Vargas takes to another level with acid-tongued lyrical delivery, delving into themes spanning patriarchal oppression to surveillance culture to the impending climate catastrophe in sharp Spanish language polemics." [5]
Furthermore, Movimiento Para Cambio was featured on The Guardian's "Albums and Tracks of 2019", [6] Resident Advisor's "2019's Best Albums", [7] Fact Mag's "Best Albums of 2019", [8] and topped Stereogum's "10 Best Electronic Albums of 2019" list [9]
Pelada toured North America with punk groups such as Iceage, [10] as well as festivals in Mexico, [11] [12] and raves in Russia [13] and Europe, [14] including clubs such as Berlin super club Berghain. [15]
Ahora más que nunca was a longlisted nominee for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize. [16]
In 2024, the group announced that they would be completing their last shows together as a duo, after which they disbanded.
Studio albums
EPs
Singles
Music videos