The son of a mariachi singer, Kinski Gallo is stepping out on his own with a classy, futuristic flourish on the new Mirage EP (Paisatronico). The former frontman for major-label bilingual rockers Monte Negro is positioning himself as a multidisciplinary creative force, with a fresh approach that still manages to stay true to his Mexican heritage and Los Angeles upbringing.
An unabashedly sentimental and romantic work, Mirage is the first in a two-part series that spans rock, dance pop, electronica and Latin music. All five songs began on the piano or acoustic guitar before they were fleshed out in the studio with conventional instrumentation and multilayered digital production.
MAGNET’s Hobart Rowland asked Gallo to offer his take on each track.
1) “Odyssey”
“Darkness can be a great ally and very comforting to the soul. ‘Odyssey’ explores the journey of self-discovery and transformation through the metaphor of an astronaut who navigates darkness and space, then finds clarity and insight within that stillness.”
2) “Orbits”
“This song highlights the resilience of love and passion, despite not always getting it right. It’s about persistence, overcoming obstacles and finding strength in the bond of an imperfect and sometimes obsessive love.”
3) “Dancin’”
“This song captures the struggle of working hard to keep life afloat—but it’s also about true love and being lucky enough to have someone who loves you and supports you unconditionally. It’s inspired by a line from Peter Gabriel’s ‘In Your Eyes.’ When life gets heavy, all you can do is dance, baby!”
4) “Throwing Shadows”
“The phrase ‘throwing shadows at the moon’ symbolizes the futility of overthinking and battling with emotions you can’t control, much like fighting an illusion. It’s about the inner struggle of an all-consuming love. The title is a tip of the hat to Fiona Apple’s ‘Shadowboxer.’”
5) “The Way I Feel For You (Abrázame)”
“My father was the inspiration for this one. He was a very loving man but had a hard time expressing his feelings—much like the generation of his time. I wish I’d hugged him more often and had the hindsight to express my love more openly. With enough perspective, I realized he gave me all that he could—and, for that, I’m grateful. Time may change us as we evolve on our journey, but our love for certain people will always remain and grow deeper as we get older. This song should’ve been called ‘Omnia Vincit Amor’—Latin for ‘love conquers all.’ But I failed Latin in school, which is another story for another EP.”
