BALTHVS is a Colombian trio that combines elements of Middle Eastern music, disco, funk, rock and cumbia into a unique whole.
Harvest is the 4th album by BALTHVS. Balthazar Aguirre, Johanna Mercuriana, and Santiago Lizcano started BALTHVS just over 4 years ago to create soothing music that harkens deep from their culture, a fusion of middle eastern sounds with chill, surfy, moods as well as nods to their home country, Colombia’s musical roots.
Harvest is the first BALTHVS album that was composed by all three band members and is named as such. It is a reflection of where the band is currently. After 4 years of the industry grind they have seen massive growth in the digital sphere with over 15 million streams; as well as gracing theaters and festivals across North America and Europe.
Harvest time
“Harvest is a time of abundance, where our growth as a band has allowed all of us to become full-time professional musicians, more than money or things, having art be your full-time occupation feels like the greatest of blessings and huge responsibility,” says BALTHVS. It is truly Harvest time.
Recorded in a villa amidst lush tropical hills in Colombia, Harvest is optimistic, groovy and relaxing. The trio spent a month-long sojourn at a tropical summer house in La Mesa, Colombia to record.
“More than a studio we wanted to be inspired by nature. So we brought our recording equipment there and started working.”
The tropical landscape served as more than just a backdrop; it was the wellspring of inspiration for BALTHVS. Unlike their previous albums, where Balthazar Aguirre took the lead in recording, composing, producing, and arranging, this time around, the music emerged as a collective effort, all three members contributing equally to the creation of every song. Thinking back on the recording process, BALTHVS says,
“It’s very hot in La Mesa, and the only air conditioning we had was in the recording room in order to protect the gear from overheating. It was literally making music in your underwear drenched in sweat, you can’t get more intimate than that with your bandmates.”
12 new songs
The time spent in La Mesa resulted in 12 songs, a full studio album created in a month, that will be released digitally and on vinyl! Harvest features vocals that harmonize like instruments, weaving lyrical poetry into a tranquil groove. Most evident in songs like “Like Coconut Water,” an effervescent song that captures the essence of a tropical escape. “Anouk” is a gorgeous groove that is dedicated to the house cat at La Mesa, the sphinx-like guardian who set watch during the recording sessions. “Mango Season” a laid back, funky and soulful instrumental groove that is perfect for relaxing, skateboarding and looking at clouds.
“Aguacero” is one of the few compositions with lyrics and sung in Spanish by bassist, vocalist Johanna Mercuriana; it was inspired by 4 days of non-stop rain, truly influenced by their surroundings – that heat, humidity and abundance of water, both in a physical and emotional sense. “Lovin’” a ballad about such a fun and wonderful aspect to life and “Sun & Moon” is 1 of 2 songs that were not written in La Mesa, however after their Fall 2023 Tour, energized by electronic music, BALTHVS comments, “we wanted to try and replicate a dancing groovy tune in our own style.”
Artistic and personal growth
Harvest is a sonic testament to a period of profound artistic and personal growth. The band comments, “It defines our closure with this beautiful stage of our life and career as friends and musicians,” they continue, “Especially, we would like to thank our manager, Oz for his tireless support! And the amazing team around us that he helped us build, Billy and David, for manifesting our music in vinyl records and live shows. We also found a family thousands of miles away. And we gotta mostly thank all the people that have listened to our music, bought a record and/or came to one of the shows. You make it happen and it means the world, thank you for this Harvest. ”
Known for their dynamic and electrifying live performances, BALTHVS has become synonymous with energetic shows and captivating improvisations. BALTHVS has taken its infectious sound to international audiences with critical accolades from GRAMMY.com, Austin Chronicle, and Austin Monthly, The Stranger and an upcoming performance at the tastemaker station KEXP. Their triumphant inaugural US and Europe tour included sold-out shows, buzz-worthy coverage at SXSW, plus performances at X2 and Barcelona Psych Festivals.
Eager to continue their sonic exploration, BALTHVS is set to enchant audiences with their innovative and boundary-pushing approach to music including returning back to North America to support Jungle for select dates and their debut at the renowned Outside Lands and ACL Festivals!
Mixto a NMR (photo: press)
