Courtesy of Good I Music
Intocable, the iconic group from Zapata, Texas, has been synonymous with the pioneering spirit of Tejano music for three decades. Their sound, which blends Tejano traditions with pop, rock, and country influences, has earned them eight No. 1 albums on the Top Latin Albums chart, as well as numerous other Billboard accolades.
Intocable’s new album, Modus Operandi, features 16 songs with accordion melodies. The band released it on Friday (Feb. 9) as they commemorate their 30-year anniversary. The album, produced by legendary Don Was (Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Elton John, Ringo Starr), bridges the past and future of Tejano music, showcasing the band’s authenticity and innovation.
In an interview with Billboard, singer, accordionist and band co-founder Ricardo “Ricky” Muñoz reveals the creative process behind the album and the collaboration with Don Was. He also reflects on the band’s legacy and the connection they seek with their audience.
“I make music, not for fame or for money, but for the connection — that to me is very important,” Muñoz says. “We recorded this album a little over two years ago. Our new method is sitting down with a songwriter in a session, playing ping pong, pitching songs and ideas. Which ones do we connect with? We make a list, then we sit with another songwriter, and have another session. Going through the process is always exciting.”
Muñoz also praises Don Was, who has been working with the band since 2016’s Highway, for his guidance and vision.
“After we do our maps of what the songs are going to sound like, we show up to the studio with our producer Don. He’s a genius. He knows how to get the best out of us. He knows how to make us feel comfortable. He knows how to make us sound good. He’s very respectful of our style and our essence. He doesn’t try to change us. He tries to enhance us,” he says.
Muñoz also looks back at the band’s journey from the small town of Zapata to international fame, and the challenges and opportunities they faced along the way.
“Living on the border we got the best of both worlds. We got the Mexican culture and the American culture. We got the Mexican music and the American music. We got to mix it all up and create our own style,” he says. “We’ve been very lucky and very blessed to have a loyal fan base that has supported us throughout the years. We’ve also been very persistent and very stubborn. We’ve never given up. We’ve always tried to reinvent ourselves and stay relevant.”
Modus Operandi is available now on all digital platforms. Intocable will also embark on a 30 Aniversario MMXXIV Tour across the U.S. and Mexico to promote the album and celebrate their 30-year anniversary with their fans.
SOURCE: Intocable Talks 30 Years of Tejano Music, New Album
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