The Mars Volta is one of the most prolific progressive rock bands to emerge in recent years. The band’s success can be attributed in part to their leader, Omar Rodríguez-López. His creative talent has transcended boundaries not only with The Mars Volta but also within art, music, and film. What the future holds for this amazing artist is unknown because there are no limits to his artistic creations. His projects are a reflection of what he has done in the past, yet all the while he focuses on the here and now. Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Omar about his current work and tour.
Congratulations on yet another album release Un Escorpion Perfumado. Can you please tell me a little about the making of the album, people who helped with it, and where it was recorded?
It was recorded at my home studio El Telesterion Occidental De Zapopan. I wrote it all there, I recorded it all there, I used Deantoni Parks as my drummer on that, I played bass and all the synthesizers, all the piano, and my brother also played synthesizers. It was another record done from the home production unit.
Did you form the Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Group specifically to get away from your commercial success?
No, not at all. I don’t see things in terms of commercial success or not. To me success is whether or not you end up liking something that you did and really there’s no difference between ORLG or Mars Volta or De Facto or the movies I make. It’s all one big project. They’re just separated into these small entities purely because of legal reasons.
It seems that your music is always going through a process of metamorphosis is this something that happens consciously or does it happen naturally?
It’s something that happens unconsciously. Is there an element of consciousness to it? Of course, because it’s like saying- are we conscious about wanting a better life for ourselves? Yes, we’re driven by an unconscious desire that happens all the time underneath, which is, I want a better life for myself and for my family. It becomes a conscious goal- I want to be a better person. That is where it all stems from, my desire to grow as a person. The music is just an extension of that. It’s a Polaroid picture. It’s a tangible form of feeling, seeing, or perceiving the change that is happening with me, inside of me, as a person. The music has to reflect that if it’s honest.
So, it is accurate to say that your albums are a documentation of what is happening in your personal life?
Definitely!
You’re currently working on a new Mars Volta album, can you tell me a little bit about the new material.
The new Mars Volta album is done. It’s been done for a while now. What can I tell you about it? I can’t tell you anything about it because I know very little about it. I don’t know anything about it until time has passed. I know I was going through some shit, I know that I was learning some stuff but exactly the details of what or what that sounds or what picture it makes I won’t know until I’m completely out of this era in my life. I don’t have the perspective to tell you much about it.
I don’t see things in terms of commercial success or not. To me success is whether or not you end up liking something that you did.
You’ve had a variety of band members come and go over the years with The Mars Volta, who is part of the current line-up?
Deantoni Parks is my drummer, Cedric, of course, my brother Marcel, and Juan Alderete.
People speculate that you’ll eventually form a band with all your brothers, is this something that you’ve considered?
Of course! It’s my family, there’s nothing more important in this world than family.
You’re currently on tour performing as The Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Group. I noticed that you’re playing a few festivals as well as smaller venues around the United States. Is playing at smaller venues something you wanted to get back to?
Sure, I like playing in closer, intimate places. It’s also just the reality of it when you attach the moniker of The Mars Volta on it- it attracts more deer to the headlights. When you go only by your name its only the hardcore fans that come out; the ones that understand my role in The Mars Volta, that I’m the leader of The Mars Volta, with everything that goes on behind the scenes, they know that they’re going to hear new music, that Cedric might be singing, or that Ximena might be singing or that I might be singing. They come out, but of course in much smaller numbers like in any situation of a bigger entity. So, yes it’s nice to play for the hardcore fans and it’s nice to have it be intimate.
Are we conscious about wanting a better life for ourselves? Yes, we’re driven by an unconscious desire that happens all the time underneath, which is, I want a better life for myself and for my family.
You’ll be performing in El Paso at the Neon Desert Music Festival. Is this a date that you’ve marked on your calendar?
Of course! El Paso for me is a huge part of my roots. I think it’s one of the best kept secrets in all of the United States of America. It’s a place where I can definitely live again. When I’m in El Paso- I have to tear myself away to get back to my life because I can literally just stay there and be there forever.
What does the future hold for you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I don’t know where I see myself in 5 years. I can’t picture it yet but I’m just trying to carve that out now. I can sort of make it out on the horizon and I’m already trying to grab on to it, but I have to- more than anything, enjoy the here and now. Any moment I’m not doing that I’m taking something for granted.