The Argentinian duo, El Zar, has evolved into one of the leading voices of the new wave of Latin American indie rock. With five acclaimed albums, the band has built a reputation for crafting songs that fuse emotional depth with melodic sophistication, earning a devoted following across Latin America and beyond.
This month, the band arrived in Mexico as part of the international rollout of their fifth studio album, Paradiso, a conceptual and sonically ambitious project that captures the pulse of the road, the freedom of travel, and the poetry of self-discovery. Produced by Nicolás Btesh, Paradiso stands as a milestone in the band’s artistic evolution, combining the strength of Argentine rock with luminous modern textures and collaborations with artists such as No Te Va Gustar on the song “Parte de mi” and Ximena Sariñana with “Todo al revés”.
El Zar’s arrival in Tijuana marks another step in their expansive Latin American tour following sold-out shows in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Peru, and a massive concert at Estadio GEBA in Buenos Aires. Their performances are known for their intensity and connection, bridging the classic spirit of Argentine rock with a new generation’s emotional honesty. This Saturday, October 25 the border will pulse with their sound, vocals of Facundo Castaño Montoya and riffs of Pablo Giménez on the guitar, for a special performance at Foro Ah Mun.
FACUNDO CASTAÑO MONTOYA ON THE EVOLUTION OF EL ZAR AND THE MAGIC BEHIND PARADISO
As El Zar continues its rise as one of the most exciting forces in Latin American indie rock, vocalist Facundo Castaño Montoya reflects on the band’s journey, creative risks, and the emotional range behind their latest album, Paradíso. Ahead of their highly anticipated show this Saturday, October 25 at Foro Ah Mun in Tijuana, Facundo opens up about the power of live connection, their collaborations with artists like Ximena Sariñana and Siddhartha, and how experimenting in the studio, from moon guitars to spontaneous takes, shaped their most ambitious record to date.
WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE SHOW WE’LL SEE IN OCTOBER?
I think it’s a show that goes through many places emotionally, it really takes people on a journey. We’ve already had a few previews, since we’ve been performing the Paradiso tour and album launch across Argentina, and honestly, the reactions have been incredible. There are moments when people tell us they get emotional, and others when they just want to jump, dance, and scream the lyrics. So, I think it’s a show that carries you through different moods, just like our discography and Paradiso itself, which also have a lot of dynamics and textures.
YOU’VE ALSO HAD GREAT COLLABORATIONS WITH ARTISTS LIKE SIDDHARTHA AND XIMENA SARIÑANA.
Yes, It has been amazing, an absolute honor to do it. Ximena is an artist we admired long before collaborating. I’ve always loved her voice; her tone and the way she sings really stands out. We met through mutual friends, and luckily, we got the chance to connect. When she came to Buenos Aires for Lollapalooza, we invited her to sing a song with us. Then we decided to write something together, and that’s how our collaboration came to life. We’re very happy with how it turned out and having her on the album was truly special.
WERE THERE ANY TRICKS OR SPECIAL MOMENTS THAT LISTENERS WON’T NOTICE BUT MADE THESE SONGS EXTRA SPECIAL?
We recorded a xylophone doubling a guitar riff, and even used a Japanese moon guitar, it’s like a drum with strings, really unusual. And some friends who aren’t musicians came by and recorded background vocals. We allowed ourselves to play and experiment freely, and those moments really shaped the record. The key was not being afraid to try out crazy ideas.
WERE THERE ANY “HAPPY ACCIDENTS” THAT MADE IT INTO THE FINAL VERSION?
Yes, definitely. Some parts were recorded in Tigre, a river delta area near Buenos Aires with little islands and canals. We stayed there for a few days, and a lot of ideas came out of that trip. For example, some keyboards and guitar parts were recorded spontaneously, one of them was even done with a guitar that wasn’t in great shape but ended up sounding perfect.
There’s also a great detail in the song Bahía: we originally thought we’d add an acoustic solo, something flamenco-like, maybe in the vein of Alejandro Sanz. We recorded it with a Spanish guitar just as a demo, thinking we’d replace it later, but nothing sounded as good as that take. It stayed in the final version. Listen to the second chorus when it transitions to the instrumental part and you will notice that’s a solo.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE SETLIST? WILL FANS HEAR CLASSICS LIKE “DIAMANTES” ALONGSIDE NEW SINGLES
Absolutely, 100%. We’ll be playing songs from our entire discography. Since this is the Paradiso tour, we’ll perform all the songs from the album, and the show is conceptually tied to that record. But yes, we’ll also revisit tracks from our previous albums, including collaborations with Siddhartha and singles like Tarde o Temprano. It’s a very complete set, about an hour and fifty minutes long, almost two hours, and it takes you through every stage of our journey.
RAPID-FIRE WITH EL ZAR’S FRONTMAN
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SONG TO PERFORM LIVE?
Right now, it’s Cruz del Sur, one of the new songs from Paradiso. It moves me deeply and takes me to a very special place.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE INSTRUMENT? AN ITEM WITH SENTIMENTAL VALUE.
I have a ‘70s Epiphone guitar that I brought from the U.S. a few years ago. It’s very comfortable and beautiful, and from the moment I first played it, I felt an instant connection. I always use it to compose or write; it’s small, easy to play, and has become my go-to instrument.
WHAT’S A GO-TO SNACK IN THE STUDIO?
I have a big sweet tooth. I love alfajores, they’re a classic Argentine treat made of two cookies with dulce de leche in the middle, covered in chocolate. I’m obsessed with them. And of course, mate is essential. We drink a lot of it in the studio, especially in the morning, it’s the best way to wake up and stay focused early in the day.
WHAT’S A MUST-HAVE ITEM WHILE ON TOUR?
I always pack things to take care of my voice like ginger, propolis spray, and some Ayurvedic throat lozenges that work wonders.
IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANY ARTIST IN THE WORLD, IN ENGLISH OR SPANISH, WHO WOULD IT BE?
I’d love to collaborate with Julieta Venegas. From outside Latin America, I’m a huge fan of Frank Ocean, that would be a dream. But I think the ultimate dream for all of us in the band would be to work with Paul McCartney. That would be unbelievable.
WHAT’S A STAGE YOU DREAM OF PERFORMING SOMEDAY?
In Mexico, I’d love to play at the Auditorio Nacional. It’s such a beautiful, iconic place for Spanish-language music. That would be a dream come true, especially alongside Julieta Venegas.
STEP INTO PARADISO: EL ZAR’S NEW ERA HITS THE BORDER STAGE
Get ready to dive into the soundscape of Paradiso, the latest and most ambitious album from El Zar. Now streaming on Spotify, the record captures the band’s evolution with emotional depth and sonic experimentation, blending Argentine rock roots with modern indie textures. From the heartfelt “Cruz del Sur” to the hypnotic “Bahía” and the luminous collaboration “Todo Al Revés” with Ximena Sariñana, each song unfolds like a chapter in a larger story—one of movement, freedom, and discovery.
Fans in Tijuana will have the rare chance to feel that story come alive on stage this Saturday, October 25, at Foro Ah Mun. Don’t miss this electrifying live experience, where El Zar brings the pulse of Paradiso to the border with their full band and signature emotional energy. Secure your spot now at arema.mx/e/15427/el-zar-en-tijuana and be part of a night that celebrates the spirit of Latin American indie rock in full bloom.
Photo credit: Courtesy of El Zar
