Indietracks interview #1: Cineplexx

Today we’re bringing your the first of our interviews with acts playing at this year’s festival. If you’d like to ask a question to any of the bands on the bill, please drop us a line and we’ll be happy to ask on your behalf!

Cineplexx is the unique musical creation of Sebastian Litmanovich – an Argentine graphic artist and musician, who currently calls Barcelona home. "The Velvet Underground was the first band that really blew my mind… and I've been a fan of ABBA ever since I was four," he admits.

Cineplexx was created in 1997 and the debut album ‘Posologia’ came two years later on New York indie label, Caipirinha. Ten years on, Cherry Red released a fantastic collection of old, new and rare songs, hand-picked from the six albums Cineplexx has recorded so far. 'Nuevahola' (New Hello) includes collaborations with Duglas Stewart (BMX Bandits) and Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), and lots of other friends.

Hi Sebastian, tell us a little bit about Cineplexx

Cineplexx is a one person band that is me. Back in Buenos Aires (Argentina) were I was born, I had started using this name and recording music since 1996. At that time it was Cineplex (with one 'x' only) but when Caipirinha Music (NYC) released my second album Posologia (1998) they asked me to change the name for legal reasons in the USA, so adding one 'x' was the solution. After three albums and lots of concerts I moved to Barcelona (were I live) in 2002 and continue recording and releasing albums.

Originally I wanted to create music for films, landscapes with psychedelic and oniric layers, so I was labelled immediately as an electronic musician. That was good at the time because that was supposed to be trendy! But there were always songs and pop melodies.

I had recorded seven albums, a few singles, lots of collaborations and remixes for other artists, and been part of many compilations. I also made a fake documentary about a paranormal story, which I wrote and directed under the name Cacahuetes Inc. and performed the music for it live at Sonar Festival back in 2005.

As a solo musician, I love and need to collaborate with other musicians to go far from my own musical world and be influenced by others, I was very lucky to work with some of my favourite artists like Duglas T Stewart, Lupe Nuñez (of Pipas and Amor de Dias), Ally Kerr, Norman Blake, Jad Fair, Federico Aubele, The Wellgreen, Cathy Claret and playing at Indietracks 2010 Felt Tips and Onward Chariots.

My latest album is Nuevahola (Cherry Red, 2009) and is a compilation of rare, unreleased and b-side songs from my albums with two new songs.

What music are you enjoying at the moment?

Mostly psychedelic pop beat from the 60s and Brazilian music, also lots of indie pop from 80s and 90s and 00s. Some of my favourite bands I am listening to right now are: Atlas Sound, Beach House, Beat Happening, Deerhunter, Grab Grab The Haddock, Little Wings, Panda Bear, Pipas, Rose Melberg, Stereo Total, The Clientele, The Pastels, The Rain Parade, Tom Tom Club, Yo La Tengo, J.K. & CO, The 5th Dimension, The Sunshine Company, The Aerovons, The Beatles, The Kinks, Mark Eric, The Moon, Nick Garrie, Thomas & Richard Frost, Serge Gainsbourg, The Feelies, Os Brasas, Os Mutantes, Nara Leao, Eduardo Mateo and many more.

Wow, lots of bands then! Do you have any exciting plans for the rest of the year?

Yes lots! In May Cherry Red Records is releasing a single of Tiger Trap (a lovely song co-wrote and sung by Duglas T Stewart) with two extra unreleased songs in it, and also all my albums will be released digitally on June 28th. Besides these releases, I am finishing a new album with lots of collaborations with other musicians and friends.

Do you have any particular skills, hobbies or claims to fame you wish to share?

I love to cook vegetarian dishes, bread and watch lots of films.

Do you have any surprises planned for the Indietracks festival?

Yes! I will have Miguel of Felt Tips playing guitar in my set, and I will sing one song with Onward Chariots since we composed this one together for a compilation out on Eardrums. My set will be a solo acoustic set with versions of songs from all my albums.

Thanks Sebastian - see you at the festival!
xxx