Tranquilo Quieto
Puerto Rico-based producer-musician team who work with a top line of Caribbean artists (PJ Sin Suela, Rita Indiana, Circo, DJ Velcro, etc.) launch new network complete with merch, mixtapes, and more.
Where you are from/where you are now?
MD: I was born and raised in Santa Rosa, Bayamón. I am currently living in Guaraguao, Guaynabo.
David B. : I am born and raised in Bayamon PR. I am now in Sierra Bayamon, a suburb in Bayamon PR.
What do you do currently / frequently?
MD: Currently I am a Husband, Live and Session Bassist, DJ, Producer and Partner in Tranquilo Quieto.
David B: I am currently working as a music producer, dj and drummer.
How did you two meet?
MD: I met David starting the 8th Grade when my parents transferred me to a new school. He was in the 9th Grade. We quickly made a band with another friend. I kinda started seeing him in multiple places at the same time. I also was my church's bass player and when I went to a nearby church he was the drummer there too! He also played in a Reggae band with his older brother and some other common acquaintances from our same church denomination. My mother was also friends with his mother.
David B.: We met in middle school, we have been raised and grew up within a similar network. My mother was neighbors growing up with Josue’s Cousin, my family and his attend the same church denomination, we grew up literally a couple of blocks away from each other in Santa Rosa, Bayamon.
I remember like yesterday meeting Josue at lunch break at school; I had a Christian reggae group at the time with my brother and Josue (“ being Josue”) threw at me a bunch of questions regarding reggae, ganja and religion. I knew from the get go he wasn’t a regular teenager, he’s always been a curious, investigative all around nerd. I was like 14 years old at the time.
What inspirations do you draw upon when you are in studio mode?
MD: Listening to music that has inspired me throughout my life. Emulating the accuracy and concentration from playing live. And also trying to push myself to do my best in the moment.
David B.: common things, doing the dishes, cooking, watching a movie/documentary, having economic and political debates, going on tour. I believe that that's how you can communicate your essence and keep being true to yourself. As Nina Simone said “You can't help it. An artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times.” so i try to keep myself true to my immediate surroundings and build from there.
What's the most self-validating moment you've received in relation to your creative work?
MD: Dropping Melancolía earlier this year with SieteNueve. He is one of the first MCs from PR that influenced me.
David B.: I would have to say I am blessed to have had many rewarding moments where I can be thankful throughout this journey. As a collaborator I would say the day that we did the release of the Pielago EP in la Respuesta, Santurce; Finishing and publishing project to a sold out venue that you have been to throughout your musical upbringing was always in my bucket list. To me it was a moment of understanding the power of what determination and consistently working can do. As a DJ I would say playing Residente’s concert at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in 2018 in front of 35,000 people. I had only started DJing 5 months before that and I got the call to do that the night before the concert which I was also playing with PJ Sin Suela as a Drummer. I was terrified, I felt I did not have the experience to do that type of gig but I did it anyway. I remember there was a moment when it started to rain during my set, when I decided to play Major Lazer’ s “Watch out for this” w/ Busy Signal. The crowd went crazy, in that instant I realized how powerful the impact of having a platform and voice as a DJ could be. It was a moment I will never forget. As Drummer, I would say the last tour we did with PJ Sin Suela, we did 17 shows in 17 different cities in 25 days. It was definitely something that I had dreamed throughout my adolescence and being able to live that with my “corillo” y something I definitely deeply appreciate.
What is bubbling in the PR underground music scene?
MD: I think a mix of Native Puerto Rican rhythms, African influences and the reinterpretation of current International vibes.
David B.: In PR, there are many many talented people in the underground scene. Like all around the world I feel that our music scene is pushing genres, stereotypes and quality control to new heights. From folkloric rhythms to hip hop to trap to rock to there are great new talents rising.
What businesses/artists/groups would you recommend to anyone visiting Puerto Rico?
MD: Businesses: El Nido in Bayamón (You can catch me and/or David djing there every other day). La Respuesta in Santurce Classic Monday Nights. La 39 bar at La Perla on weekends. Artists: David B, Ibn Itaka, SieteNueve, Zacchaeus Paul, Brandon Cores, PJ Sin Suela. Groups: Circo, Piquete, Ifé, Buscabulla, Sebimor.
David B: I would highly recommend if you’re visiting PR to go to our home base, El Nido PR in Bayamon (all local food, beers, and products), La 39 In la Perla VSJ for a surreal Caribbean experience, La Buena Vida In Arecibo for great beers and food in a chill environment, and Tostado if you're looking great food and la Penultima in Santurce if you're looking for a great cocktail.
Artist: If I were to pick 6 acts to get a perspective I would say to check out: Bebo Dumont (my homie), Epilogio, International Dub Ambassadors, Enyel C Piquete and Andrea Cruz. There are a lot more but this can give you perspective on how broad the music scene can be here.
What advice would you give to a young person from the diaspora who wants to do what you do?
MD: Quit your job and hustle 8 hours a day for a year. Strive to make the same amount you made at your old job for a year. Also, take vacations and spend time with your family. Do not become a workaholic, it's a tough habit to break.
David B.: I would suggest putting in your 10,000 hrs of research, to build your sound trusting your intuition, to use the internet as a source of knowledge DIY and to always be respectful and humble.
What are 4 songs the world needs to hear right now?
What's next for Tranquilo Quieto and for your music careers?
MD & DB: Since launching Tranquilo Quieto we are interested in the publication of mixtapes, records, compilations, etc. Our focus is to give visibility to producers, beatmakers, musicians and DJs who are usually behind the scenes. Next up in line for us launching our online store where you will be able to buy our official Tranquilo Quieto clothing/lifestyle brand, see our upcoming events and all types of content related to Tranquilo Quieto. Our first Beat Tape Compilation will include over 15 producers from Puerto Rico and the Diaspora is set to come out in the upcoming months.
MD: I got a couple of more collab albums on the way with rappers/singers, a lot of bass work and for sure many more works with David B!
David B.: Up Next for me is publishing some collaborations that have been brewing up for the past months w/ PJ Sin Suela, Bebo Dumont, Negro Gonzales, Sebastian Otero, EBRS. I’m co-producing MC Velcro next album and some instrumental joints as well as a debut solo EP.