On the east side of Austin, TX, Spanish rock group, Airú, wraps up their first U.S. tour. The members exude a lively chill that translates perfectly into their debut album, Con lo buena y con pena. The title, which translates to “with the good and sorrow,” perfectly encapsulates the complex verve of the album, in songs like “Verte de espaldas.”
Eso es lo bueno de verte marchar/No creo que esté tan mal mirar
That’s what’s good about watching you go/ I don’t think it’s so bad to look
The crew helms from Bilbao, a city that sits amongst the gorgeous mountains of northern Spain, a far contrast from the “developing city” of Austin. “I’m tired of hamburgers. I need something green,” lead singer, lyricist and guitarist, Irune Vega, says
Much like their music, Airú are a quiet folk, demure in their responses but bubbling with excitement.
“No sex, drugs and rock and roll. It’s more like tea…,” says Irune.
The morning after their official South by Southwest showcase, they are tired and (mildly) hungover. Sleepy, but eager for their day of press during their first time visiting the United States as a group.
The mild-mannered drummer and background vocalist, Patrícia Echanove, sits beside Irune, beaming while Jon Gomez and Erik González listen intently, bespeckled with matching black wire frames. Jon’s bass licks steer the group’s sound while Erik pulls double duty as guitarist and keyboardist. The group seems to enjoy each others company, giggling between questions or on stage when Jon flubs a bass line or Irune’s guitar doesn’t blare like it should. It’s in these moments where their lightness breaks through beautifully.
When asked why they work so well together, the group looks at each other smirking.
“Personality wise,” Irune says, “we are all a bit similar, in the sense of all not being too loud… but the few of us are all like, mind our business.”
Erik agrees: “What makes a group of people work properly all together is a combination of personalities of each other, of each one and how those are mixed and how things are balanced. It’s working, we are reaching some goals.” The group nods, and Erik adds, “It’s nice to be surrounded by sincere people.”
Patricia’s quiet presence lingers underneath most of Airú’s music, complementing Irune’s deeper, androgynous tone. A nice balance is created in the process, which speaks to the group’s dynamics.
Bassist, Jon, grooves as his rhythm drives the underbelly of the track “Es todo un encierro,” a surf rock-tinted song whose lyrics themselves are critical but still stir with a subtle optimism. It’s a complex experience—love and life after (and between) it. But the song simply floats in its uncertainty, swinging from uneager proposals to confinement.
Patricia’s drumming pushes forth the pulse of each rock song, but it is in Erik’s keyboarding that a new depth is reached.
Electronic bangers like “Es por tu bien,” or the album’s closer, “Bailar sobre mi espalda” take a little more handling to work into the group’s organic zeal.
“Intento mirarte como si no tuvieses otra elección” pulls inspiration from alternative R&B stylings marvelously . With sexy, slinky drums guiding the ethereal synths as Irune repeats “tenias todo a cada paso que dabas” (“You had it all with every step you took”) the song fizzles out with a bubbly funk that’s as hypnotic as the 808s in Drake’s “Hold On, We’re Going Home.”
It’s in these electronically-driven songs where the band says they have a little less movement to improvise, but the group has a nice hand at their ability to craft a fine tune.
“Each one of us thinks about how it could fit into the song so that the song can overall be improved. So ‘What makes good for the song?’ Neither of us wants to show off. How could it fit? How could it benefit the song?” Erik says.
Pulling inspiration from artists like Billie Eilish and Finneas, who Erik claims “are masters of layering” the group’s music feels intimate yet expansive. Amongst their other inspirations are Beach Fossils and Alice Phoebe Lou, whose darkly-toned storytelling inform much of the group’s sonics. While the group dips their toes into many colorful musical waters, the album itself feels like who the band is: poised and pensive, but groovy and chilled.
“Just try it and see,” Irune says.
“Sometimes the simple things are the best,” says Jon.
Though primarily written in Spanish, the energy of the group’s music transcends language. The group sweatily boogies through the Texas heat at their showcase in what videographer Nora refers to as “the most texas” patio of Lazarus Brewing Company. A tiny blonde girl shy of six-years-old stands just off the side of the stage, grooving in a pink tee and mini lei to tunes with titles she can’t even pronounce.
As the group performs “Es tu encierro” one last time, they rock out like children shouting their favorite song—joyous and energized, playful. Erik jumps from guitar to keyboard with buoyant focus. In conversation Jon is quiet, pensive (though Irune swears he “is the most outgoing”). But on stage, he loses himself to the rhythm he creates, becoming one with the bass.
The group glitter against technicolor slideshow as viewers nod along. The energy in the room is sweet. As Erik says, “When you are watching a gig and you are caught by the music, it happens less. But when it happens it is magical.”
Magical, it was.
