The Obelisk Questionnaire: Roman Tamayo of Vinnum Sabbathi, LSDR Records & Doomed and Stoned Latinoamerica
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Roman Tamayo of Vinnum Sabbathi, LSDR Records & Doomed and Stoned Latinoamerica
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
Hola, my name is Roman Tamayo from Mexico.
I feel so honored to be here, I´m a big fan of The Obelisk, thanks JJ for all your support to the scene.
Well, I play synth and samples in the band Vinnum Sabbathi, I run the record label LSDR Records and I’m the main editor of Doomed and Stoned Latinoamerica (website, radio show, etc.).
My brother Juan (Vinnum Sabbathi & Fumata) and I grew up in the outskirts of Mexico, a place commonly charged with violence, poverty and lack of services. In this semi-urban area, most people listen rancheras (kind of tex-mex music), reggaeton and just a few classic rock.
Well, 15 years ago Stoner Rock was a very underground genre around here, even the people who listen rock didn´t have any clue about Kyuss, Nebula, or Monster Magnet. I discovered these sounds thanks to the journalist Iván Nieblas (Stoner Rock Mexico).
One day I bought a magazine and I saw names such as Los Natas, Kyuss, and Nebula. It took me some time with the prehistoric internet I had, but I found some songs from these bands and my world changed, I felt a strong connection, I knew that all these bands were special and I finally found part of my identity.
Describe your first musical memory.
Music was not a big deal at home, usually my parents and uncles listened to traditional racheras like Los Tigres del Norte (they are amazing btw). I got involved in rock when my mom bought me a rock compilation CD and I discovered Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc.
When I studied High School, my friends started to show me records and I discovered bands like Pantera, The Doors, Slayer and Judas Priest. Suddenly I started to buy more magazines and found tons of amazing bands. I became a music junkie, I quickly jumped from The Rolling Stones to NIN.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Ohhh man, there is a lot, especially with Vinnum Sabbathi.
Touring over Europe for the very first time was a beautiful experience: we played at Sonic Blast in Portugal and met some of our heroes there. I remember that when we played, Philip from Colour Haze was there, I was in shock. Also, that year we went to Freak Valley which was the paradise.
Probably another special memory is when we received our first release on vinyl, for a small band from Mexico that was a big deal.
Finally, thanks to Doomed and Stoned I’ve had the chance to interview a lot of my favorite bands, that´s a blessing. I feel so honored and happy to live in this golden era of heavy rock.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Well, as I said we have grown up in a violent area, walking during the night in the hood is a challenge, you don´t know if you will be back home safe. That kind of stuff makes you strong somehow.
As a band probably the major challenge has been when we started to live in different cities and realized that we don´t have the same chances to play and tour as in the past. I think at this point the best is to enjoy the shows and have fun with my friends.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Art helps to heal and transform lives, if your work doesn´t have an effect on the people who follows you in a positive way, you are doing something wrong in my opinion.
I’m proud that with Vinnum Sabbathi we try to share, in a way, science topics to people through the music. I like stoner-doom clichés, but we need just one Electric Wizard.
How do you define success?
Success is not about money or fame; success is to know that your work can transform lives in a positive way. Is to realize that we are humans and if we support each other, we can create a community and be part of a positive chance to achieve a peaceful life.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
People killed by cartels and kidnappings.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I love horror movies, so I would love to create a soundtrack for a fictional horror movie.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Personally, art is the one of the purest things humans can create.
In this economical system, you can buy-sell anything, even paintings, music, poems, etc.
But, the way that each piece of art makes you feel, that does not have a price. Art is the way to express our feelings, beliefs and thoughts, if your work does not have these elements, it’s a completely different thing.
And as I said previously, I think art heals and transforms lives.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I work in a NGO called Habitat for Humanity, that´s my real job.
We are focused to build homes and sustainable projects in indigenous communities, basically we work with disadvantaged families.
I would love to see my country with more equality, more emphatic.
I would love to see more and more people working together for a better world, people should stop being selfish and care more for others.
www.facebook.com/VinnumSabbathi/
https://www.instagram.com/vinnumsabbathiband/
https://vinnumsabbathi.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lsdrrecords/
https://lsdr.bandcamp.com/
https://www.storenvy.com/stores/823500-lsdr-records-distro
