Based in Miami, Las Nubes prefers to let their music do the speaking, but I managed to get a few words out of them in a recent interview! Check out their new album, Tormentas Malsanas, the title of which translates to “unhealthy storms” in English. The band describes the album as a “tongue-in-cheek tribute to the reality of living through Miami summers.” A multilingual melange of garage pop, shoegaze, dream pop, and punk, the album has garnered praise from no less a luminary than Iggy Pop: “Las Nubes are far and away the hottest band in Miami, and the most socially relevant. Like the children and the young at heart across North and South America, they rock from the soul, covered in tattoos and attitude. They represent an uncompromising lifestyle trend that is the future. They’re fucking loud, too.”

Just an easy question to start: How should I pronounce Las Nubes?

Loss New-bess.

You’re based in Florida. How does that fact—not to mention state politics—influence your music? 

The punk/noise/metal scene here is legendary. It’s probably a combination of the punishing heat and the Bermuda Triangle responsible for some of the heaviest, weirdest sounds coming from the same place. We like it LOUD, slow, and sweaty.

You’ve said that the single “Would Be” is a reflection on what it might feel like to be an aging ex-superhero. Do you feel like there’s a parallel between superheroes and artists? 

Superheroes probably have better costumes but can’t rip a solo as well as most guitar players.

Another single “Pesada” is about performative activism. Why do you think that’s so prevalent in today’s society?

Because social media makes it easy for people to think they’re making a difference. “Thoughts and prayers//Likes and shares,” it’s all bullshit.

The title of your album, Tormentas Malsanas, translates to “unhealthy storms.” Did confronting those storms through music lead to anything positive for you?

Yeah, it led to a lot of changes in relationships, band structure, the ways we dealt with mental health, and interpersonal interactions.

Not to get all new-agey, but do you feel like music can be healing? 

Music is cathartic and catharsis can be healing. 

You’ve done a lot of touring through the United States and Mexico. What are some cultural differences you’ve observed—not necessarily between one country and the next, but also from one region or town to the next?

We’ve learned that music is universal and transcends a lot of would-be cultural differences. 

I’m also curious about similarities. What do all of your fans have in common? And beyond that, do people in general have in common?

Everyone loves bread and if they say they don’t they’re lying.

You worked with producer Jonathan Nunez on Tormentas Malsanas. What does he bring to the process? 

We worked with Jon on an EP in 2019 and a live session in 2020. He is an incredible engineer and has a good ear, not to mention a baffling arsenal of gear (his studio is literally called Sound Artillery), so he was the obvious choice for making this record. We’ve also been fans of his music for a long time. 

What’s on the horizon for you? 

New music in June and lots of touring over the next year!