Quick-fire Questions: 10 minutes with Maquina
Lisbon trio Maquina, aptly meaning Machine in their native Portuguese, are one of the most exciting acts in Europe. Fusing hypnotic grooves with industrial textures to sonically render the inherent complexities and tumult of the contemporary era, the group’s sound seems destined to be heard in climes far removed from their own. It’s all-encompassing, potent, and perfect for festivals and sweat-lined clubs.
This year marks a significant one for the trio as they gear up to release their album ‘PRATA’, on April 5th via Fuzz Club. With two singles already arriving from their latest body of work in the form of ‘Denial’ and ‘Body Control’, the band have set out their stall, with their layered sonic palettes utterly captivating as they make good on the metallic essence that the title conveys (Prata means Silver in Portuguese).
Dark and complete with unsettling vocals buried deep in the mix, their basslines reflect the present’s reliance on automation and an array of other instrumental weapons. The fusion of motorik krautrock, techno, EBM and other materials is already making me excited for the time I can head to a club on the first sweltering summer night available.
In support of ‘PRATA’, Maquina will be heading out on the road with possibly the best outfit relative to their music, Oliver Ackermann’s noise vendors – A Place to Bury Strangers. They will follow what has the makings of an incredibly formative run, with festival appearances at Primavera Porto, Sonic Blast and Fuzz Club 2024.
As Maquina are gearing up for such an exciting rest of 2024, there was no better time to ask them to answer our quick-fire questions. They gracefully did so and offered insight into what makes them as people and musicians while offering their opinions on Kraftwerk, Bass Drum of Death and The Beatles.
Quick-fire Questions with Maquina:
1. What song would you want played at your funeral?
“‘Cover Me (Slowly)’ – Deerhunter.”
2. What was the best album of 2023?
“Conferência Inferno – Pós-Esmeralda.“
3. Do you believe in UFOs?
“No. Life in outer space, yes, but we don’t believe they’re flying around here.”
4. What’s your favourite comfort movie?
“Spirited Away.”
5. Where’s the weirdest place you woke up?
“As a band, we stayed in a house which was quite ‘abandoned’ or empty of life. There wasn’t even a single plant, and the toilet was under the shower, so you could poop while you took a bath, that’s insane! There was a dog next door; he seemed quite alone and felt our presence, so he was barking all day and all night. It was just a single bark every 30 seconds. But we loved it; well, better than having no place to sleep.”
6. What’s one gig in history you’d time travel to be at?
“Kraftwerk – Live in Soest. Winter 1970.”
7. Where’s the best pub in the world?
“Clube Desportivo da Mouraria in Lisbon, nice view and the cheapest beer in Lisbon’s centre.”
8. What was the first song you learnt to play?
Tomas: “‘Come as You Are’ – Nirvana.”
João: “‘Eye of the Tiger’ – Survivor.”
Halison: “‘Eu Sei’ – Papas da Língua.”
9. What track features the greatest vocal performance?
“‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ – Velvet Underground & Nico. We love it.”
10. What venue do you dream of playing? And who’s your support act?
“Berghain with Dame Area.”
11. Have you ever had a weird celebrity encounter?
“Yes, We’ve met Domingae from Föllakzoid. She was adorable, but we were nervous, so we acted a little weird. We really like the band, and it’s a clear inspiration in our sound. We’re going to play on the same day as her at Fuzz Club Fest, and we can’t wait to see her again.”
12. What song do you hate most in the world?
“‘Heavy’ – Bass Drum of Death. We love the band, but we couldn’t take this song. Sorry John B., but what the fuck?”
13. What’s your most controversial cultural opinion?
“Portugal stole the gold from Brazil.”
14. Who the fuck is Mark E. Smith?
“Is he the guy from The Fall?”
15. Are The Beatles overrated?
“No. Never.”
