LA LEY’S LIBERTY
Pedro Frugone, guitarist of Rock en Español Band La Ley, Talks to QV!
Interview by Luther Orrick-Guzman

IT’S BEEN MORE THAN TWO YEARS since QV last spoke with any members of La Ley, and much has happened with the group since then. Countless awards,, a hugely successful world tour, and a critically-acclaimed “MTV Unplugged” album. Yet, through it all, the Chilean band continues to maintain a high level of artistic talent while keeping themselves down to earth. QV caught up with the band’s guitarist, Pedro Frugone, in the middle of another hectic tour, and discussed music, touring and the status of pop music today.

Pedro starts the conversation by talking about the group’s latest achievement—their new album. He explains, “Our current CD, ‘Libertad’ took us over a year to complete. It took us longer than usual, but we are extremely pleased with the results. I know it sounds like what artists say all the time, but I genuinely think it’s our best CD so far.”

Pedro explains that he doesn’t prefer any one particular track over another because he feels the album is really something that should be listened to in its entirety. To not do so would be like watching a movie, but skipping scenes—it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

While recording in a studio is one aspect of making music, Pedro says La Ley’s members get the most satisfaction when they’re on tour and playing live music. He discusses the joy of touring: “I love traveling and meeting all sorts of people. I think it’s flattering that people are willing to spend their hard-earned money to buy our music and buy a ticket to one our shows. I am aware just how difficult it is for some people, like students that go to school, who worked so hard to earn that cash and spend it on a show. To be able to play for those fans is a total and complete privilege and is one of the reasons why I love this band.”

In today’s world of cookie-cutter pop music, especially in the Latin Pop world, La Ley stands out as one of the most original bands out there. However, Pedro knows there are other groundbreaking bands out there. He says,“There are so many good things happening in music, but I’m sure the majority of Latin America and the US never gets to hear it because labels are signing fewer acts and not promoting their existing artists. It seems like when they do sign an act they are from a TV contest like American Idol which has resulted in a world saturated with versions of these types of shows. I mean it’s an option but the variety isn’t there.”

Pedro then asks, “Did you see the Latin Grammys?"

I say, “Yeah.”

“What a disappointment,” he responds. “The show, as far as music goes, did not reflect what Latin music is all about. There is so much more in our culture than a few top 40 numbers in a few different categories. To be honest I’m ashamed.”

He adds, “From the beginning where the comedian started making jokes about Latinos stealing and being more vulgar, I mean that to me is really feeding the minds of people who don’t really know what we are like.”

Frugone feels Americans and English speaking Latinos were, once again, robbed of a chance to discover the diversity of Latin music.

So does Pedro practice what he preaches when it comes to listening to a diversity of music? Of course, he does! He says, “I listen to a little bit of everything. Right now, I’m really enjoying Aphex Twin. I’ve also been listening to some cumbia, too. But the point is to enrich yourself with many types of music.”

While Pedro is quite open to talking about music, he becomes more guarded when delving into topics revolving around private life like relationships.

“I’ve been with the same girl for quiet some time, and realistically speaking, none of that should matter to the media.” he says. “I have trouble talking or saying anything about my closest friends.”

And as far as the band goes, he says there are certain things they prefer to do privately. He says, “We as a band or as individuals do many things that we’d sometimes rather just keep it quiet. We don’t like to go out and donate guitars to some Rock and Roll restaurant just for the sake of making publicity for ourselves. When we can, we do nice things for people, but most of the time we like to keep it anonymous and without the frantic staged excitement that often times occurs with artists in this field. We like to think we do things because we like to do them.”

As we wrap up our chat, I ask Pedro to say a few words for QV’s readers. He thinks about it, and then offers an enlightening thought: “Nobody knows everything or the significance of things or the meaning of life. I feel we just have to try to keep an open mind to everything.”
He pauses and then interjects, “And, oh yeah! Don’t believe everything you see on TV!”