Cirex is a Puerto Rican solo project that combines metal.with dubstep and industrial influences, embedded with guitars, created by Eric Ortz.
His music has appeared on independent Horror Films in Denmark.When Ortiz is in Puerto Rico, he spent some time playing bass on a local Church. In February 2015, Cirex officially composed the music theme of the radio program “Al Tiempo de Dios” (In God’s Time) by Maritza Medina on Radio Vida (Puerto Rico). Eduardo Paniagua, drummer of the band Puya, has collaborated with his percussion on some of Cirex productions as with William Martin from the band Earshot, who mastered part of his first album ‘The Lab’. We recently interview Eric Ortiz Boglio
Q:When you decide it’s time to make a new record, is that more exciting or stressful?
Ans: Always, because I bring new elements that I have not experimented before. So far I have 4 full lengths album, all of them pretty different inside the electronic musical realm
Q: How do you shut things out?
Ans: With my own trademark J
Q: How easily do songs tend to come to you?
Ans : Not exactly easy, but they come natural. I start with an idea of what I want, then I compose synths, base, select the tempo I previously have on my mind, later become the hardest part of mixing, cut, paste, etc., until the final result. It can take from 2 days to even a month for just a single song.
Q: What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
Ans: God, Music, Art and Literature.
Q: What is you favorite song to belt out at the bar/in the car?
ANs: Mine? Godspeed… Other artist, too lot to mention. But, for my mood in the car, I listen hip hop, or Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, something more relaxing…
Q: For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words?
Intense, Futuristic, Fresh, Hard, Gamer
Ans:
Q: You write all of your own music; where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favorite part about the proccess?
ANS: My inspiration comes from everywhere, even from sounds on the streets, for example a chipper hammer making noise. My favorite part is when I start mixing all elements. That’s for sure!
Q: At what age did you start music?
ANS: I started at 18 with a local band not big enough but we play a lot of venues. The another band more succesful called ‘Neuttro’, we played bigger stages, radio rotation, CD’s in stores, etc… With ‘Cirex’, is all mine, that’s why I love it. I officially started with Cirex on 2009, on my late 20’s…
Q:Who are your inspirations?
Ans: Celldweller (because he do all alone), Nine Inch Nails, Prodigy, Skrillex for popularized ‘Dubstep’ among others….
Q: If you could perform with anyone, in the future, who would it have to be?
Ans: Zardonic for sure, he is Latin, has a great stage presence, and in a lot of things I think we have similarities.
Q:What is your favorite song to sing live?
Ans: As I said: Godspeed. Live performance is coming soon.
Q:Do you have any events coming up or recording going on right now?
Ans: Not yet, I am working on it. I mean, I can play live right now, but I am waiting for the right moment.
Q:Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to sing as a career or just advice about careers in general?
Ans : Well, there’s no money on it unless you are Justin Beiber, etc. That’s my first advice. Second: You got to live it, more like a hobby. 3rd: Try always to have the best image and the best music you can do, just don’t release material if you are not satisfied %100.
Q: If you had a soundtrack to your life what song/songs would have to be on it?
Ans : Paradox (from my collection)
Q:How does the conversation go when someone pitches the performance to you?
Ans: Being humble is the key for everything in life.
Q:When and why did you start playing?
ANS: In Puerto Rico and I start playing because I love so much music. I am a natural bass player, also I play guitar.
Q: Which instruments do you play?
Ans: As I said, Bass, Guitar, a little of drums…
Q: What was the first tune(s) you learned?
Ans: Smell Like Teen Spirits of Nirvana, so easy J
Q: Is your family musical?
Ans: That’s the rare thing, No. At least my close family no. I have uncles and cousins who play instruments but to be honest, are not like family.
Q: Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
Ans: Famous? Think Elvis, because was the Poneer of everything today.
Q: Which famous musicians have you learned from?
Ans: Gguitar: Dave Mustaine from Megadeth. Electronic: Prodigy. Bass: From a lot of Players.
Q: Who was your first teacher? Other teachers?
Ans: One learning book with a instructional CD on it at my age of 14.
Q: Describe your first instrument. Other instruments.
Ans: Guitar, I have first an acoustic guitar. My mom saw I spent a lot of time on that acoustic, then she bought me an electric guitar and a small amp.
Q: Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD’s?
Ans: Dave Mustaine, John Petrucci, Klayton from Celldweller, Les Claypool.
Q: Have you been in competitions? Fleadh’s? Any prizes?
Ans: Not exactly, but Tommy Lee from Method of Mayhem launch a contest of remixing one of his song, and among all submission, mine was ranked #49.
Q: Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions? Concerts, radio, TV?
Ans: I have a lot with my previous band. With Cirex not yet.
Q: Do you play for dances? Step-dancers? Describe the differences.
Ans: My music can be danceable, but that’s not my intention, I make music just for the ears of the listeners, so hey are the benefactors J
Q: How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
Ans: Yes, I was used to that, I consider myself a profesional
Q: Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition?
Ans: No, actually, it calms me….
Q: What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?
Ans: Trust in your music, in your bandmates, if you are not ready, don’t go there. The music has to be go out of you naturally.
Q: Do you attend sessions? What makes a good session?
Ans: Not at this moment…. Yes in the pass. I think Communication is the key.
Q: How often and for how long do you practice?
Ans: At least twice a week, sometimes I don’t to be honest.
Q: What do you practice – exercises, new tunes, hard tunes, etc.?
Ans: Mostly New Tunes, Experimenting new sounds
Q: Do you teach music?
Ans: Not now, but I will eventually.
Q: How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?
Ans: Pretty difficult, I am finishing college, and classes are pretty hard, my new record is on hold til’ January so I can be free this Christmas for final touches.
Q:What’s the best way to follow you online for updates and music?
Ans:For information and updates you can visit my site cirexmusic.com/events.html
Thanks for taking time out of your day:)
