Listen via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | More Platforms
What drives a musician to play music overtly rooted in traditional ska and rocksteady? And how do they honor those roots while simultaneously giving it a contemporary flavor? This week on In Defense of Ska, Jeremy Peña of The Bandulus talks about he sought to do just that with the band’s new record, Tell It Like It Is. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Both lush and raw, rickety and tight, the album is a perfect blend of Peña’s own musical experiences. He walks the hosts through the recording of the LP, the thought process behind the songwriting, and the influences that went into the record. Before he can get to where he is now, however, he has to explain where he comes from.
Peña explains how he fell in love with the genre, how his father played Tejano music, and the ways he’s looked to fuse both styles. Eventually, The Bandulus became his outlet to do so. Forming in 2008 in Austin, Texas, the group has infused the most traditional of ska influences with the music Peña grew up listening to. Ever since, he’s continued to look for ways to contribute to this genre that carries on the legacy of artists like The Skatalites, Alton Ellis, and Ken Boothe.
Listen to Jeremy Peña of The Bandulus go deep into Tell It Like It Is on this episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don’t forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.
You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.