I’m still completely amazed that I was able to get Stinkfish for this project. I had initially thought it would remain a pipe dream after Miuccia Prada, heiress to the hugely successful Prada company chose a Stinkfish image to be prominently displayed on walls, models, and handbags in their stores. Prada has an eye for art, and counts Cindy Sherman as a personal friend, on top of owning some very expensive Damien Hirst pieces. Now that she had Mexican-born, Colombia-raised artist Stinkfish in her grips, I figured he was untouchable. Until it occurred to me that there was a particular artist who had already done a Background Noise mix who might have a connection to him. Sure enough, he did and by the next morning, I had an email from Stinkfish waiting for me in my inbox, expressing his excitement about compiling some songs for me.
Stinkfish has been on the street art scene for years and is best known for creating beautiful, psychedelic stencil art based off of photos he finds on his travels or photos he himself takes of random pedestrians, often choosing large public walls to display his work, and often using very bright and eye-catching colors.
Now that I think of it, aside from the rare Stinkfish hand-painted stickers that popped up on my street this week (pictured left), I haven’t seen any of his work here in NYC. I was thrilled to find a few great pieces of his on my honeymoon in Paris in 2012 though (the main image at the top here is one of them). I’m not sure if these were commissioned pieces or not. If they weren’t, and he had to create these highly detailed pieces under cover of night at high speed so as not to get caught, I commend him. Either way, it takes talent to put these beautiful works of art together.
What was your first concert?
Around 1996 here in my city Bogota (Colombia), a concert of local bands of ska and punk
Last concert/show?
The 5.6.7.8’s
First album, tape or cd you bought?
King of Bongo / Mano Negra
Last album you bought?
Long time ago I do not buy music, maybe the last one was Kill the Cuentero / Odio a Botero
Was there any album that made a significant impression on you?
Many, just to name a few:
King of Bongo, Puta´s Fever, and Casa Babylon / Mano NegraΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ / Ministry
Acorralar la Bestia / Actitud Maria Marta
El Circo / La Maldita Vecindad
Smash / Offspring
Armas pal Pueblo / Def Con Dos
El Día de la Bestia soundtrack / Compilation
Puro Eskañol vol.1 / Compilation
Who is your musical hero?
Unable to respond
How important do you think music is to your creative process?
Really important, the lyrics, the noise, the company. Walking around the city listening to loud music is a perfect way to learn about the streets.
Check out the Stinkfish website here, and check out his amazing Flickr stream here
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs “Cadillacs Version 93”
Mano Negra “Don’t Want You No More”
Los pies negros “De huerfano a rudo“
Maldita Vecindad y los hijos del quinto patio “Mojado”
Kortatu “ZU ATRAPATU ARTE”
Kargol’s “Intru/Satyagraha”
Todos tus Muertos + Los Autenticos Decadentes “Gente que no”
La Polla Records “Venganza”
The Exploited “Rival Leaders”
Ministry “Hero”
Prodigy “Out of Space”
Rancid “Maxwell Murder”
La Pestilencia “Desmontemos esta farsa”
Las Ultrasónicas “El Rock nació conmigo”
Odio a Botero “Dinero”
Actitud Maria Marta “Asi está la cosa”
Sara Hebe “El que mejor ria”
Los Elefantes “Se va la vida”
The Specials “International Jet Set“
Check out Stinkfish’s playlist below on Spotify. Be sure to like Background Noise on Facebook for updates on future episodes. You can browse ALL the Background Noise episodes right here.
