Interview: Qiensave’s Bold Move To Remix Classics With El Dusty

¿Qiensave? is a Cumbia band based in Salinas, California. They’ve teamed up with Grammy-nominated producer El Dusty to create a cool mix of Latin and electronic beats. Check out this interview to find out what makes their collaboration so special.

1 – How did a chance encounter with El Dusty lead to the whole ‘Reanimación’ album idea?

Carlos: We had previously connected with El Dusty, but at that time, it just wasn’t meant to be. Although we briefly discussed a collaboration, we all got busy with other projects. It wasn’t until our manager, Alex Casanova, brought it up again that we started brainstorming ideas about collaborating and breathing new life into some of our favorite songs. He didn’t waste any time; he reached out to El Dusty and began coordinating everything to give us the chance to explore this new sound created by the one and only El Dusty.

Alex: This journey began about three years ago when ¿Qiensave? performed with El Dusty at Moe’s Alley. Carlos spoke to him about remixing a track, but things didn’t pan out then as ¿Qiensave? was wrapping up the “El After” project, and Dusty was busy with other commitments. Fast forward to mid-2023: ¿Qiensave? had just finished recording the fka Popurri EP (“El Pari de Éxitos Que Te Mueven!”). Carlos and I started discussing what we should do next after Popurri’s release, and I brought up the remix album idea again. Initially, we were uncertain about how to proceed. We explored various producers, discussed which songs to remix, and how to approach the project. By the end of 2023, it was time to start marketing Popurri, so I reached out to Dusty to see what it would take to do a couple of remixes. We emailed, texted, and talked for a couple of months before sending him a shortlist of tracks. Dusty selected his top three, and from those, we chose two for him to remix: “El After” and “Para Poderte Olvidar.” After hearing what Dusty did with those two songs, I turned to Carlos and asked, “What if Dusty remixed the whole album?” And that’s how it all began!

2 – Is there a special metaphor or meaning behind the title ‘Reanimación’?

Carlos: Once the project started to take shape, the timing felt right, and it seemed like the will of the universe was at play—everything landed as it was meant to. When we met with Dusty and discussed the project, he mentioned that it reminded him of Linkin Park’s “Reanimation” album. In that moment, I knew we had something magical. It perfectly connected with our vision of breathing new life into these great songs, and that’s how the title was born.

Alex: Carlos is spot on about the album name. I remember our first Zoom meeting with Dusty after we agreed to collaborate. We discussed various aspects, like the album cover, the number of songs on the remix EP, and potential titles. Then Dusty hit us with the idea of “Reanimación,” drawing inspiration from the Linkin Park remix album.

3 – What was the process of selecting which tracks from your previous releases to remix for this album?

Carlos: We decided on the remix as a way to bring new life to these great songs and explore different ways these songs could be served and plated like. a dish you’re familiar with when you see it at another restaurant and it’s similar but different. We’re all about exploring new sounds and rhythms and how we can incorporate that into the ¿Qiensave? soundscape. This project came as a passing idea that got solidified when Alex, our manager, got our schedule aligned and got dusty and ¿Qiensave? to exchange ideas, started with one remix to try it but we got carried away with the vibz and ya know, here we are 6 tracks deep all fire!!

4 – How did the incorporation of various genres like Moonbap, Dubstep, and Trap influence the final sound of this remix album?

Carlos: As a high-energy cumbia band, we embrace the blending of genres while staying true to the essence of dance music. With electronic music being right next door, we decided to go for it! True to our name, ¿Qiensave?, we are always open to exploring new sounds and possibilities. Who knows what we’ll create next.

5 – Did you have any fears about how your loyal fans would respond to the remixes?

Carlos: There’s always some apprehension when exploring new sounds or performing songs after they’ve been recorded, as these represent two different listening experiences. However, that fear dissipated when we heard the first track. I have to give credit to El Dusty (A real f’n G); when we listened to “Para Poderte Olvidar,” we were truly blown away. Ultimately, people will gravitate toward what resonates with them, and we can’t fight the power of music. It has a way of moving you—especially when it’s high Class (wink).

6 – Are you aiming to attract new listeners with this material?

Carlos: Yes, in a way, we aimed to breathe new life into these great songs. It ended up serving a dual purpose: revitalizing classic tracks while also inviting new listeners to explore ¿Qiensave?’s sonic world—both past and present. We hope this fresh approach encourages more people to connect with our music and discover what we have to offer.

7 – What specific touches did Deuce Eclipse bring to “Quemayama” that made it stand out?

Carlos: Deuce added a unique dimension to “Quemayama” by infusing it with themes of rebirth and renewal. His contribution emphasized the importance of persevering and making meaningful changes in both our lives and the world around us, enhancing the song’s healing message.

8 – How do you think the remix of “Quemayama” evolved from its original version?

The evolution of “Quemayama” is rooted in a deeply magical story, originally conveyed by maestro Patricio Hidalgo. I encourage everyone to look it up—it’s a fascinating tale. Initially, we were a bit hesitant about the remix, uncertain about how it would turn out. However, hearing our rendition reimagined in a new light was a delightful surprise. We believe in the power of “Quemayama” to share its blessings across different walks of life. Once we heard what El Dusty did, we knew this project was destined to be extraordinary—a true blessing from the universe.

9 – What’s going to set the live performances of ‘Reanimación’ apart from your previous shows?

Being this is our first time exploring this remix sphere of the Qiensave sonic world we are looking to also explore as far as the performance of this project. Possibly Adding new elements and mixing El Dusty’s innovative live sound with Camilo Quiñones and the homies.

10 – Which cities are you planning to perform in? Are you looking at a tour for this year or 2025?

Right now, we’re promoting our collaborations for this year, “Reanimación” with El Dusty and “Wake the Dead” with Chuck Prophet. Keep an eye out for ¿Qiensave? and some of our members as we support these projects at the end of this year and into the beginning of next year. We’re also working on our next album, so stay tuned for more music that will move you!

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