T3R Elemento's new album Our Wave, Nuestra Ola marks a brand-new start for the regional Mexican group who welcomed new members Lorenzo Fraire (bajo sexto player), Sergio Martínez (base player) and Alex Gomex (requintista player) joining frontman Kris Nava.
Founded in 2014, T3R Elemento's revamp occurred four months ago, as the chart-topping group struggled to find common ground on the band's vision for the future and their sound, says Nava.
"We were at a point where we weren't experimenting with new sounds and I didn't want to stay behind," 20-year-old Nava says. "Our new members are so eager and willing to experiment and even make music in English." T3r Elemento, known for their corridos verdes (weed-inspired corridos) and sierreño sound, is still signed to DEL Records.
Nava spoke to Billboard about T3R Elemento's new members and new album and what the shakeup means to him personally and professionally.
What was it like to record Our Wave, Nuestra Ola with new members?
I felt like my my opinions were welcome. I was more involved and that’s why I just loved this album so much.We still have a lot to learn together as a band but in a few more years, we’ll be more solid.
What was the decision behind wanting to add brand-new members to T3R Elemento -- why now?
We were at a point where we weren't experimenting with new sounds and I didn't want to stay behind. I was being someone who I didn't want to be. Our new members are so eager and willing to experiment and even make music in English. We're trying to get T3R Elemento's music to become more mainstream.
Which song on Our Wave Nuestra Ola would define T3R Elemento's new era?
"Hoy En Día." It talks about on coming up [in the industry]. You have to deal with people who hate on you and don’t want to see you do better than them. The type of people that will remove the ladder so you don't continue to climb. It's what I'm going through now.
You were 14 years old when you joined T3R Elemento. What does this shakeup do to you as the frontman of the band and as a young artist?
I'm still young so I'm trying to create new sounds and get new opportunities. This revamp shakes me up because I'm not used to woking with different musicians. I've only ever played on T3R Elemento so it’s different. But right now I'm also focused on writing new songs. I've always felt tempted to write. My dad's a songwriter so I've felt inspired but have always felt like I'm not good enough to write. I'm trying and practicing to perfect my writing skills. Right now I have almost 40 songs written.
What's it been like to record in the studio with new members? How do you build that chemistry?
We just create vibes, create energy and make music. I've known Lorenzo for a while now and I was trying to get him to join since last year but couldn't make that happen. He's here, finally! Honestly, I think the reason why we get along so well is because we have that same mindset and vision of what we want to do. WE're willing to try new things.
Stream T3R Elemento's Our Wave, Nuestra Ola below:
