Musician, singer, music producer, and composer Kalo Sepulveda’s organic electronic tracks come from the bottom of his soul. “Being a musician or a music worker requires dedication, passion, and constant interest,” he explains. “Only in this way can you deliver something genuine.”
Kalo’s latest release, a two-track EP, not only expresses his unique musical sensibility but also takes listeners on a journey deep into their own hearts. Entitled “Toa la Vida Pa Bailar” (which roughly translates to “All My Life to Dance”), Kalo’s newest album spurs people to get up and move.
“I really like this Spanish expression because it talks about the movement of the body continuously as a practice for the rest of your life,” Kalo explains.
Music that demands to be danced
Kalo credits varied sources for inspiring his music, from the rhythm of the ’80s and ’90s to the ancient tones of India, Egypt, and Turkey. “I’ve always been a fan of David Bowie, Rabi Shankar, Thom Yorke, Freddie Mercury, Prince, Empire of the Sun, The Strokes, and great percussionists such as Alex Acuña and Francisco Aguabella,” he adds.
“Toa la Vida Pa Bailar” was released by record label DowntempoLove, which is based in both Berlin and Ibiza, but this European label is far from the only international influence on Kalo’s work.
World beats from a world traveler
Born in Argentina and raised in Chile, Kalo has long taken a global perspective that shines through in his work. “Every place I visit has been influential in my music, from Chile to Argentina, Tulum in Mexico, Ibiza, Berlin, Paris, and Brussels,” he says. “There is always a sound that catches my attention, and I end up incorporating it into whatever I am producing. I travel with a portable studio, so I am always creating.”
In particular, Kalo identifies Tulum, Mexico, as having an important role in the evolution of his music. “My first trip to Tulum was in 2020,” he remembers. “I had no idea how fundamentally my life would change. I arrived there with my son and his mother with the idea of staying for a few months and we ended up living there for two years. My perception of music changed a lot during that time because I was able to experiment with musicians from different parts of the world. The technical level and spiritual connection is super deep, and I will always be grateful for those experiences.”
Given Kalo’s peripatetic lifestyle, perhaps it should come as no surprise that the creation of “Toa la Vida Pa Bailar” also took place on multiple continents.
The Making of “Toa la Vida Pa Bailar”
Kalo began composing the songs on “Toa la Vida Pa Bailar” while living in Atlanta, Georgia. “I was exploring new sounds in my music after finishing my previous album, ‘Bailando en Wirikuta,’ which was released on Mose’s label Resueño,” he explains.
Next, the lyrics and voice melodies of “Toa la Vida Pa Bailar” were born in Ibiza, where he went to live for several months. “Essentially, they are mantras that invite you to enjoy life,” Kalo says. He also met the creator of DowntempoLove, Marco Tegui, during this time.
However, that wasn’t the end of this album’s voyage. “I did the final mixing process in Mexico City in a beautiful studio with all the right conditions to make it sound very good,” Kalo says.
As a result, “Toa Vida Pa Bailar” has a distinctive international vibe. In line with Kalo’s approach to creativity, it also constitutes a voyage of the spirit.
Music as a Spiritual Voyage
Kalo experienced a life-changing event two years ago in the Wirikuta Desert of northern Mexico that profoundly impacted his music. “I had a close encounter with a mescalito master,” he remembers. “I spent 10 days without the Internet or electricity, living in a tent and exploring the entire area on foot. On this trip, I was able to understand who I am and what my purpose is. It was incredible seeing my entire conception in the third person, from the moment my parents’ cells came together, then my childhood, my adolescence, etc. This opened my spiritual connection, and my life changed completely.”
Ever since then, Kalo has understood himself to be on a spiritual journey. “My intention to learn more has involved me in a constant exploration of my being and the universe,” he explains. “I am part of the whole, and every person around is a reflection of me. My exploration with power plants has been very important in awakening — only in this way have I been able to analyze my humanity in dimensions that seemed distant but that today are quite integrated into my daily life.”
Kalo’s music is integral to this process. “The music that I manage to record is an expression of my eternal being,” he says. “In it, there is medicine for the listener and for myself. They are not just systematically ordered sounds and silences but also flashes of love and a clear example of the multi-dimensionality of the human being.”
Innovative dance music that sweeps you away
“Toa la Vida Pa Bailar” has earned an enthusiastic reception ever since its release. Many DJs have already begun capitalizing on the dreamy synths, melodic guitar riffs, and haunting vocals on Kalo’s tracks and including samples in their sets.
“That makes me very happy,” Kalo says. “This music is somewhat different in sound and structure, so it proposes new ways of developing a track in the downtempo/organic house genre.”
Having barely paused to celebrate this new release, Kalo continues to create innovative new music. “I’m now finishing a new EP for the Cosmic Awakenings record label, a very special label that distributes music with dance content mixed with ancient sounds,” he says. “I’m also working on an acoustic album more focused on the Spanish guitar and my voice. All of this will come to light in the coming months.”
Kalo’s schedule lists tour dates in Chicago, Montreal, Berlin, and Ibiza in the coming weeks, as well as a small tour in Chile. No matter where you catch up with him, however, you can expect his music to sweep you away on a spiritual adventure.