Oxalaia Interview

We interviewed Roberto Vargas from Oxalaia, for insight on the Post Black band from Costa Rica, prior to their Mexican tour this November.

What feelings or messages are at the core of your latest release?

In our music in general there's always a nostalgic/sad feeling that is implied in sound and lyrics.

Is there a mood or atmosphere you consistently strive to capture in your songs?

We like the idea of generating this wall of sound in a way that is kind of a trance, the sound textures expanding and embracing not only the ears but the full-body is a diferent way of tasting music. We like that and we want other to experience it. Have you ever cried listening to a song?

Outside of metal, what sources of inspiration shape your lyrics and sound?

Nature in all of it's forms takes an important role in our music, animals been animals instinctual, crude, and rough through our human eyes. Chaotic nature, ruthless.

Dinosaurs documentaries, movies and big shout out to The Land Before Time.

When creating new material, what usually comes first—a melody, a riff, a theme, or something else?

This comes in diferent ways actually, maybe a rift, a simple melody. A phrase, or a topic we want to talk about...

Do you rely more on instinct when writing, or do you start with a well-defined concept?

We all have a clear vision of our music, on the other hand music evolves as we do..

Most of the time comes from instinct I would say, but no every idea would fit our style so we take the time of shaping it i way that works for us.

How has your style or artistic vision shifted since the band’s beginnings, and what brought about those changes?

Since the beginning, we've defined a very specific style for the band, from stage performance to music itself. The "Paludarium" cycle has taught us a lot about our sound, and we're now at a point where we know exactly how Oxalaia should sound.

In your view, what purpose do live shows serve for the band—ritual, chaos, self-expression, or building a bond with the audience?

For us, it's crucial that people immerse themselves in the atmosphere of our music. We don't talk much with them, and we usually don't announce song names to maintain the connection between the listener and the atmosphere. We also project a video that complements the music, allowing viewers to focus on the ride of our music.

Do you believe it’s better for a band to keep an air of mystery, or to be open and direct with their followers?

It really depends on the type of band and the intention; in our case, the whole live experience would be different if we dressed as dinosaurs or Jurassic Park characters. That kind of performance would overshadow the "get lost in the music" aspect, making it more theatrical than necessary.

What kind of thoughts or emotions do you hope listeners are left with after hearing your music?

We have a nostalgic and sad sound, as people often describe it, and we want listeners to have an introspective experience while listening to our music.

What is often misunderstood about your band, or overlooked by people encountering your work?

We use prehistoric landscapes as a metaphor for life struggles. Our songs don't directly talk about dinosaurs; instead, we use that narrative as a tool to express how life affects us all every day.

How would you describe your place in the current metal landscape—aligned with a scene or standing on your own?

As the only active Post-Black metal band in Costa Rica, we're in a unique position, having played at extreme metal gigs (black metal and death metal) as well as more alternative/indie bands.

How significant are visual elements—artwork, stage presence, merchandise—in representing the band’s identity?

Since our act is nostalgia-driven, we incorporate retro and vintage elements, inspired by things from our childhood like VHS tapes and stop-motion dinosaur movies. People often relate to us through our aesthetics, and being from Costa Rica (where Jurassic Park is set) has helped us a lot.

Who usually drives the songwriting process, and how do you balance collaboration or creative conflicts?

We don't have a "universal" way to come up with songs; our three string players use different approaches, and our singer and drummer always contribute to compositions and lyrics.

Can you share a moment, whether live or in the studio, when you truly felt the band come alive?

We're proud of our first show, where we managed the gig, were headliners, and released our EP Paludarium – it was like the band's birth.

What’s on the horizon for the band that excites or challenges you the most?

We're currently recording our first LP, which we hope to release in the first half of next year. By the end of this year, we plan to share it with the Mexican audience as a setlist.