The internet allows us to communicate with individuals from across the world. And by communicating with groups of people who live thousands of miles away from us, we get a chance to learn and share new and different experiences.
Tres Monos, a group from Austria has a unique style of expressing and communicating with different cultures through music. Music is an universal language. While we can read countless books and articles about geography and science, music delivers an emotion or experience that most humans can relate to or react to.
Tres Monos, from Austria delivers this type of music experience. Their music ranges from hip hop, mellow beats, to electronic. Their tracks are in different languages, but each track has its own experience.
Check out their music and interview below, and make sure to check out their music and website.
LaUnion1910: How did you guys come together to form 'Tres Monos'? Why did you choose the name in Spanish?
Tres Monos (Topoke): Campoz and I (Topoke) were actually in a bigbeat x-over band together called 'Drown A Fish'. In 2003 the band broke up and two of the five decided to continue making music - it is important for me to talk about what happens around me and also tell others not to be blind to the world we live in! Basically doing the opposite of what the "three monkeys" in the fabel do. Three monkeys - spanish : tres monos = sounds good!
LaUnion1910: Where did you guys grow up? Where are you based off now?
Tres Monos (Topoke): Campoz and I were both born in Vienna/Austria. But I left for the Congo (back then known as Zaire) when I was about 4 months old. I grew up in Kinshasa til I was about 15 and then moved to Austria. That's where we both met and are right now.
LaUnion1910: We heard a few of your tracks. They range from a grimy rock sound to a latin / hip hop sound. What type of music were you playing when the band first started?
Tres Monos (Topoke): The idea behind 'Tres Monos' was from the start, not to be stamped or labeled doing such or such kind of music, but to communicate with different peoples and audiences! There is a saying that goes: "If you speak one language you are one person, but if you speak two languages you are two people..."! So through music we speak and try to reach everybody and anybody!
LaUnion1910: The internet has seen a tremendous growth since it first started. How have you used the internet in your promotion and sales? What websites do you use to promote your music?
Tres Monos (Topoke): It is indeed amazing to see how fast the internet has been growing, when you consider that it is not as old as many believe! But that just speaks for the many advantages and convenieces it has brought to mankind you could say! Alongside information and entertainment, you can also grow your own business! We also have online shops handeling our music. But business stays business and follows its own laws. One of the very important laws is 'promotion'!!! Promotion takes time and a lot of money most bands like us don't have! Big up for the opportunity to present ourselves! Please feel free to click to
and support us by downloading the songs of your choice from our 'Peor Es Nada' album!
LaUnion1910: If you guys were to choose 3 cities to tour, anywhere the world, what 3 cities would you choose and why?
Tres Monos (Topoke):
Johannesburg - South Africa
Mexico City - Mexico
Toky - Japan
LaUnion1910: What are most young people listening to in Austria? What are some of your favorite artists from Austria?
Tres Monos (Topoke): Rock in all its variaties is a well heard genre! You also have a lot of Techno and House. Hip Hop is a growing phenomenon though, but mainstream Pop rules the scene you could say!
Stereotyp which is also on myspace (myspace.com/stefanmoerth) is one of my austrian favorites - drum&bass finest!
LaUnion1910: What other musicians or groups have inspired you? what other genres do you listen to?
Tres Monos (Topoke): Lirically I have definitely been influenced by groups like 'Public Enemy', 'Ice Cube', 'Papa Wemba', 'Mpongo Love', 'Wenge Musica', 'Metallica', 'Daft Punk', just to name a few... We believe music is love - music is an underestimated force!
LaUnion1910: The U.S. elections are coming up this year. Do you vote in you country? what are your thoughts on George Bush? What is your perception of US citizens?
Tres Monos (Topoke): Voting is an important aspect of democracy. Austria is a democratic country and we are lucky to be able to express ourselves with our vote! Some people think it's worth it, others don't! I believe it is important to try to shape your future, but the question is a different one! What happens with your vote when you cast it? I can understand the resentment people have about politics, because they feel that politicians don't really take them seriously! It happens here the same as it happens in the U.S. So we shouldn't be pointing fingers at Other Peoples Presidents (you down wit OPP - that had to be)! I think that the perception of how US citizens are seen abroad will change 180 degrees with the next election. At least I hope - just like one of the candidates to the election preaches - I hope!
LaUnion1910: If you were to sum up your music and your message through music, how would you describe your experience with music in general?
Tres Monos (Topoke): Life is a constant struggle and you should never give up!
LaUnion1910: What type of music production set up do you have? what advice would you recommend for a new artist?
Tres Monos (Topoke): We like working at home, developing ideas... Nowadays anybody with a bit of knowledge and a computer can bring out his or her creativity! Do it and believe in yourself no matter what!
LaUnion1910: How do you balance family and music?
Tres Monos (Topoke): You can't! The boat keeps on rocking and you should be careful not to fall off. You try your best, thank the partner at your side who keeps on putting up with the stress, but still finds a way to hold things down and you work hard on the next move in the game called life!
LaUnion1910: What process do you have to come up with concepts for your music?
Tres Monos (Topoke): Not really! Campoz or other Producers I work with, come up with a beat and if it flashes me I take it and write something. No real concept! We spit it out as it comes, right from the gutts!
LaUnion1910: what are some of the biggest challenges for you as an independent artist? what are some of the best advantages?
Tres Monos (Topoke): Getting enough money to keep going is definitely a very big challenge and the lack of it slows down moving forward a great deal. The advantage would be to have the feeling you are in charge of your life!
LaUnion1910: Thank you for taking the time to share more about 'Tres Monos'. Anything you would like to add?
Tres Monos (Topoke): Thank you again for the opportunity and greetings to all the readers! Enjoy 'Tres Monos' and spread the word! One love!
The internet allows us to communicate with individuals from across the world. And by communicating with groups of people who live thousands of miles away from us, we get a chance to learn and share new and different experiences.
