Laura Robles is one of the world’s leading cajon players. With a solid background in music, Robles has revolutionized the way the cajón is played, incorporating innovative techniques and a unique style that has been recognized and acclaimed internationally. She is also a bassist, composer, educator and researcher of traditional rhythms.
Originally from Peru, Laura has been living in Berlin for more than a decade, where she has continued her musical career. Her versatility and talent have led her to participate in a wide variety of musical projects, spanning different genres and styles. Laura has played with a countless number of international musicians, enriching their style and bringing her experience and creativity to each collaboration.
She is the founder of bands such as Astrocombo, Los Padres de Emilio, Camina and Antigroove and is part of bands such as Agua Dulce, Robles-Kim Duo, Tripas and Perfektomat.
FACTS
1. years ago I was interested in learning many things, many professions, such as carpentry, masonry or forensic medicine, and unfortunately either they were practically only for men or there were no places to be trained in Lima. Now I see all the time on the internet that there are online courses, I could learn everything, obviously, there is no time, but I think a lot about how in the reality for young people now in Germany and Europe, the idea of being able to have and to do everything if one wants to. It’s great but at the same time a nightmare.
2. I’m still not familiar with composing with computers, making tracks and stuff like that, I don’t understand those programs because for me music is something very physical. I think I belong to almost the last generation of musicians who play real instruments and compose with paper. I’m at a point where almost every day I think about: should I learn? or should I use my time to keep practicing my instruments?
3. In the last few months I have been attacked several times near my house by a crow, it flies at my head or back and screams at me horribly, it also runs after me. For some reason, I am dangerous to him. He also attacked my dog. And with my son we are analysing where they fly, who they attack (there are more “victims”), at what times and in which month they are more aggressive, and now we have seen that there is a group of 8 pigeons that have grouped together to protect themselves from the crows. We have met neighbors who are anti pigeons and pro crows. We know that the crows remember for years some faces, so when the crows lay eggs, I just can’t walk around Nordufer in Wedding.
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
I have many inspirations, my son, my mother, many cajoneros and percussionists, some bands that have helped me grow and places where I feel good, like “el Salto del Fraile”.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I have no memories without my instrument, but I know that I became interested in music when I was 3 years old and immediately met my first teacher Amador Ballumbrosio.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
• Meshell Ndegeocello-Plantation Lullabies
• Susana Baca- Eco de Sombras
• Screaming Headless Torsos-Screaming Headless Torsos
• Miles Davis-Amandla
• Los Hermanos Lebron-Le Bron Brothers
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
It is for me like a beach on a cloudy day.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
Plötzensee in Wedding.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I would dedicate myself to carpentry or write fantasy stories.
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
The last album I have listened to is the one by Petros Klampanis with the Cora collective.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Iva Bittova
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
I have had many good concerts, in general they are the smallest and most intimate, but as a spectator, the concert that has impacted me the most was the first time I heard Yoruba music with the folkloric group Arawe from Cuba.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Is not important.
11. What can we expect from your concert at the Heroines of Sound Festival 2024?
I will perform together with Julia Mihály and Teresa Riemann on Saturday, July 13. I really like the fact that Julia has worked on a composition related to the chaos and energy that is produced when people are making music and singing together, but not thinking about a concert but rather, to make their words grow, to give them more strength. The “mistake” is a very important part for me in this composition and it requires a lot of concentration, in the rehearsals there has been very good energy and I am very anxious to see how we are going to sound together during the concert, I am sure it will have a lot of power.
