We are joined by Bogotá’s Romperayo—a prominent band in the Tropicanibalismo scene thriving in the city, which pulls from Colombia’s musical traditions and cannibalizes them through the realities of contemporary life in a global metropolis. Romperayo is performing with Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto and Spaghetti Cumbia here at the Echoplex in Los Angeles on August 25th, 2025.

Pedro, Romperayo’s drummer, and I discuss the band’s basis in Colombian 78s, which house thousands of songs, drumming traditions, clarinet teachings, and so much more that have not made it to the digital world or the broader popular imagination. Romperayo brings these 78s to life in their music, reviving overlooked and nearly extinct musical styles left behind by the rapid evolution of recording technologies.

And speaking of technology, our discussion eventually turns to the newest member of every band: the computer. Pedro shares how his teacher taught him the importance of jamming with the computer, because she has a lot to say too.

Entrevista en español**

Tracklist

Diadema para Catalina – Romperayo Que Jue? – Romperayo
Uyuyuis – Romperayo
El Gavilan Mayor – Romperayo
Las Computadoras También Son Seres Humanos – Romperayo