A journey that connects diverse temporalities, where the shared language is sound, one that honors identity. This compilation by Sello Vela, originating in Chile’s Aconcagua Valley, not only embraces that idea but turns it into a challenge for the artists involved, a fusion of the ancestral and the electronic.
Here, the project rises, taking shape in a way that borders on the philosophical.
The first thing you feel when you press play is a deep pulse that connects to something primal. If we imagined a sonic timeline, the Brotes 3 compilation might begin with the heartbeat of a drum, followed by a manipulation of those same rhythms through the electronic layers that surround them. It’s the work of musical potters. Patricio Riquelme, the master ceramist, recreated clay drums that evoke the sounds of Chile’s Indigenous peoples, based on research by musicologist María Ester Grebe. These drums, recorded in a studio, become not just a sample pack for the artists, but the backbone of the entire project.
The initial recording of the drums was carried out by producer Sistema Beat Andino, who collaborated with audiovisual developer JotaE on a documentation and sound registry project. After this process, the sounds were handed over to Sello Vela, where Sistema Beat Andino also took charge of mastering and producing the compilation.
The visual aspect of the project was led by Gustavo Rivera, a Mexican designer known as Rec Sonidera. His visual work has been essential in shaping the identity of the label, and of this compilation in particular.
“The cover reflects the elements behind the compilation’s concept, especially the ceramic drums and rattles, integrating them visually to highlight the direct connection between the music and the instruments used,” the label explains.
For this compilation, the curation process was almost organic, an ever-evolving work shaped by the collective. Each artist, like an alchemist, took these clay-born sounds and transformed them into something uniquely their own. Each track becomes a personal interpretation of tradition, but also a journey into the new, the glitch, the future.
“The curation of this compilation reflects that long-term work. We’ve managed to build a consistent network of collaborators. The artists involved are those we’ve been working with over time and who share our vision,” say the folks at Sello Vela.
One of the most innovative aspects of Brotes 3 is the sample pack that accompanies the compilation. This pack contains original recordings of ceramic drums, rattles, and charchas, allowing producers to create music inspired by these ancestral elements.
“The sample pack serves as a bridge for artists to experiment with sounds that reflect a local identity.”
This tool, seamlessly integrated into the compilation’s creative process, offers artists the chance to explore new sonic landscapes without losing sight of their connection to tradition.
The compilation was released in December 2024, and is available on all major streaming platforms including SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. Looking ahead, the label plans to continue developing projects like this one and expanding the visibility of the region’s musical traditions.
“We invite the audience to join the playlist ‘Aventura Sonora’, where we regularly update and share music from our artists and label projects,” they add.
The future of the label looks promising, with the potential to keep exploring new ways of fusing the ancestral with the modern. “We’re currently in talks for a possible second edition of this compilation, which is very exciting for us. The idea is to keep growing as a platform that not only promotes experimentation, but also strengthens a sense of identity through sound.”