Memo Pimiento is an artist who skillfully blends elements of Latin American cumbia culture—including influences from Peruvian chicha, Mexican sonidera, Colombian cumbia, and Argentinian villera—with European electronic music traditions such as synthpop, krautrock, and industrial, all infused with a touch of psychedelia. As a live producer and musician, he combines sounds and samples from both analog and digitally modified synthesizers and effect boxes, accompanied by an energetic female singer/MC, a dynamic percussionist, and immersive visual displays.
Born in Mexico City, Memo Pimiento grew up in the bustling metropolis of D.F., which has a population of around 25 million. His upbringing took him through various barrios of the city, as well as to smaller towns like Playa del Carmen along the Caribbean coast and San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico.
Memo's musical journey began with his studies at a classical music school, which he eventually left to explore rock and electronic music by playing in various bands. He pursued courses in sound design to familiarize himself with electronic instruments. His career took a turn when he worked for a local television channel, where he composed and produced music for commercials, requiring him to learn a variety of popular music styles. This exposure deepened his appreciation for rhythms like cumbia, salsa, and polka. It was during this time that he initiated a project called Pimiento Pastel, which focused on blending popular rhythms into jazzy electronic lounge music, and from this project, the name Memo Pimiento emerged.
In Mexico, Memo met his partner Manon Amen, a Belgian from Brussels, with whom he shares a daughter named Mua. In 2012, they were invited to perform at the renowned Fusion Festival in Germany as part of their lounge music duo. Following this experience, they decided to split their time between Mexico and Europe, with Brussels serving as an ideal base due to its cosmopolitan atmosphere and vibrant music scene.
Together, Memo and Manon formed an electro-pop duo called Zorroz. Concurrently, Memo collaborated with various music groups, including a Belgian ensemble creating music for children in Flemish schools, an African reggae hip-hop band, a Mexican Mariachi group, and a residency project involving trip-hop and experimental music with a female vocalist at the Ancienne Belgique venue. In January 2016, while on vacation in the Canary Islands, an encounter with a distant beat reminiscent of a barrio street party inspired him to envision melodies crafted on analog synthesizers. Although the music he heard was house rather than cumbia, it sparked an idea to reinterpret popular cumbia songs through the lens of bands like Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode. Upon returning to Brussels, he began composing and reimagining tracks from his earlier band Pimiento Pastel, as well as songs by Mexican friends like Vetiver Bong and Xicury Dub, alongside classic cumbia tunes in an electro cumbia style.
Memo Pimiento's approach to cumbia diverges from traditional forms. He has a particular fondness for vintage equipment, often modifying it and even circuit-bending toys to create unique sounds, which are evident in his compositions. His setup features several 1980s synthesizers, a 1990s sampler, Arduino soundcards, and both analog and modified pedal effects.
On stage, Manon Amen, also known as Man.on, serves as the band's lively vocalist, energizing the audience during performances. While she may not always sing, her presence brings a festive atmosphere, engaging the crowd with her enthusiasm. Their third member, Victor Hugo, a Cuban drummer and percussionist, was discovered by Memo through a previous salsa group in Brussels, and his drumming style adds an acoustic layer to their live shows, complementing the synthesized sounds. This trio creates a dynamic on stage, bringing together their distinct personalities.
Memo's 2018 album, 'A Todo Dar,' features a number of instrumental tracks, with some titles offering playful humor. For instance, 'Maria de los Aguacates' reflects Mexico's rich tradition of local virgin saints, with Memo creating his own version stemming from an avocado seed. Other song titles, such as 'Elegant Comme Un Elephant,' evoke vivid imagery, while 'Chacahua' honors their favorite Jamaican beach in Mexico, infused with the essence of barrio street sounds. Memo's music embodies a joyful spirit, characterized by a sense of humor and energetic persistence.
'A Todo Dar' represents a personal exploration of Memo's experiences in Belgium and Mexico, juxtaposing these diverse worlds and their contrasts. It encapsulates a vibrant sound that blends warmth and brightness from Mexico with the cerebral creativity inherent in popular music.
Memo has performed across Mexico, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, sharing stages with artists such as Meridian Brothers (CO), Golden Dawn Arkestra (US), La Dame Blanche (CU), Sonido Gallo Negro (MX), Retumba! (MX), Ali Guagua (MX), Anarkia Tropikal (CL), Rafael Aragon (FR), Rebel Up! (BE), and many others.
