Humble and Heroic: Chicano Batman wants you to keep hope alive

While the
name sounds dark and adventurous, the band Chicano Batman revel in a mellow and
overwhelmingly relaxed tone. After just rapping up a tour with Jack White, and a stint at Coachella,
this band is getting some major attention. Wearing vintage thrift store finds
that seem as if they have been pulled from a series of 1970s proms, they bring
a medley of shock and pure genius. CULTURE
sits down with the lead singer Bardo Martinez and bass player Eduardo Arenas
for a truly enlightening interview about this heroic and awesome group.

There doesn’t seem to be an emphasis on politics in your
music, but we understand your band does have a political message. How do you
put politics into Chicano Batman’s music?

Bardo Martinez: Well the name of the band itself is political
because Chicano is a political identity. I felt a little alienated in the city
where I grew up. As soon as I got to college, I related to the political stuff that
was there with like-minded. I was taking a film class, and was turned onto a
lot of political foreign movies from the ’60s and ’70s.

For me, it
made me think very creatively, learning how to be political without being
explicit about it. It was learning about how you represent yourself, not
necessarily how you say it. I put that together in my mind, the Batman and the
Chicano symbol that could be a banner for oppressed people all over the world.
Someone out there is always in the need of hope.

Musically, how do you accomplish your unique Latin
American sound and your mellow fuzzy vibe showcased in songs like “Magma” and “Stone
Soul Picnic?”

Martinez:
Well, Eduardo has a heavy Mexican background with family from Michoacán. It’s
really him and the spice he brings to us. When he and I thought about creating
a band the thought was, we can play soul music, we can play dope ass break
beats and we can have the flavor of those Mexican, Columbian, Chilean and other
Latin bands from the ‘70s, you know?

Eduardo Arenas: We kind of have an aesthetic that we’re all going
for. I think it’s the intensity that we all put in that attributes to the
composition. You need to inspire not only yourself, but others with the work
you put out in life.

How do you feel about the legalization of cannabis
and how it’s spreading?

Martinez:
I’ll tell you, I think it’s the best thing that can happen. It’s native and
it’s just a medicine, you know? If I smoke it I’d rather have someone
professionally grow it so I know what’s in it and where it comes from. For me,
I use it very lightly and in a medicinal way.

What’s a good way to describe your live set?

Arenas:
Bardo is a very charismatic front man. A lot of his music is about love and
spirit and that’s what he puts out into the world. Carlos is very on point,
probably the backbone of the band musically in terms of him keeping everyone in
check professionally. If you have the rhythm, you also need to have the sound.
It’s a religious heartbeat and everyone needs to come to church. It’s like a
sermon or something, we don’t really follow any religion, but it’s like church,
you know?

How has it been touring with Jack White and playing
to a variety of crowds?

Arenas:
It’s been cool for us, [being that it’s] a big crew [and] a big production. We
get on stage and people are already yelling. During sound check yesterday there
was an older lady who sat there with this horrifying look on her face. She was
partly amused, and confused at the same time, like she didn’t know what to
think. That’s a great starting point for any fan, as far as I’m concerned.

www.chicanobatman.com