The journey behind My Dark Summer.
Home Worship shows that he is not afraid of changes, and My Dark Summertheir new album, is proof of this. In this interview with Franco Ocampocreative leader of the band also made up of Oscar Gomez, Alan Contrera and Ale Iriartewe explore the process behind this album that combines grunge, hip hop, shoegaze and hyperpop. More than an album, it is an emotional and sonic reflection of the ups and downs of life, a project that marks a before and after for the Paraguayan group.
For Franco Ocampo This album is much more than a record; It is a reflection of a crucial stage in his life. “I felt like my youth was going away,” he confessed. “I wanted to capture all the experiences of my 20s on this album: going out with friends, losing friends, having your heart broken, breaking someone's heart. A lot coming of age. “It's inspired by my personal relationships and the sounds I liked.”
He also spoke with special affection of “Car”the second track of the disk. “It talks about going out with friends and doing reckless things, like driving drunk, which I obviously don't recommend, but music is that space where you can create fiction.” He mentioned how songs like “Dark Summer”which gives the album its name, explore past relationships and friendships left behind. “In Dark Summer says: 'We were friends and everything ended. I don't know what happened to us. It's very photographic, it has all the facets: from feeling immortal to thinking I'm losing my youth.”
With this album, Home Worship captures the intense emotions, ups and downs, and nostalgia that mark life's changes. “Everything is captured in My Dark Summer“he concluded.
Each song has a unique story, but there is one that stands out for its creative process: “Only”. “It is the track four and we did it on a trip with Alanour drummer. We thought the album was finished, but we decided to work on new songs. We went to a house in the interior of Paraguay, in the middle of nowhere, and that's where the song was born. It was something very fast, but incredible. Now it's one of people's favorites.”
The album also reflects a musical versatility that manages to balance innovation with identity. According to Francthat duality arises naturally: “I don't think much about that when making a song. I let what I feel like doing come out and, in production, I make sure everything makes sense.” This approach allowed songs as different as “2000” and “Super Far” coexist without losing cohesion. “For example, '2000' had a more hip hop base, inspired by Frank Ocean either Baby Keem. To make it fit in with the rest, we added real drums and guitars on top of it. beatmaking it coexist with more themes rockers or grunge like 'Super Far. It was a very cold production job, but the creative part was always more intuitive.”
Home Worship It has an unconventional but effective process. Franc explained: “Lately, I work alone or with a producer. It's something very much me, on the computer, at dawn or when I manage to disconnect. Once I have the song put together, I call the bassist or the drummer to make their interpretation and add their touch. It's a more individual process at first, but then it becomes collaborative.”
The influences behind My Dark Summer They are also diverse. Franc mentioned Jim Dawson as one of the main ones: “He is a great artist who mixes punk and indie rock. He made me realize that these two universes can coexist. I also had a trapper phase, doing R&B, hip hop and hyper pop, away from the guitar and rock. Listen to Jim Dawson it opened my head; If he could do it, so could I.” In addition, he noted the strong presence of the 90s on the album, with references to The Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine.
One of the biggest challenges for the artist was deciding what music he wanted to make: “I had super grunge songs and other super hip hop songs, and I didn't know how they were going to coexist. But over time I understood how to unite those two parts.”
The band's growth has also been significant in recent years. “Five years ago we were some Paraguayan assholes playing in a garage. Now we have a page web, merch officially, we released physical CDs and we have grown a lot professionally. Our showsespecially since we played at the Lollapaloozathey are much more worked. “We rely on tracks and computers, which makes everything more challenging,” he said. The band now has a larger team, with members in Mexico and Spain thanks to their record label, a reflection of the international reach they are achieving.
My Dark Summer includes several collaborations that arose thanks to the initiative and “chance” of Francwho did not hesitate to send direct messages to artists he admires. “I am a fan of all the artists that are on the album. I wrote to almost all of them directly. I simply told them: 'Hey, listen to my music, I want to do something with you,'” he commented.
He highlighted the collaboration with Juan Lopezone of his favorite artists from South America. “He was doing a live on Instagram with only 10 people watching. I took the opportunity to send him a message at the time and say: 'I'm going to send you a DM, please answer me.' That's how it happened. I sent him my music, he liked it and we became friends. Now, in addition to being an artist that I admire, he is my friend.”
Another important collaboration was with Magical Camels. “During the pandemic he uploaded a story and tagged me without having spoken to us before. It caught my attention because I knew him from Ed Maverick. A couple of years later he was in Argentina, I told him to come to Paraguay and that's how he joined the album.” In addition, he mentioned Oudia Paraguayan hip hop artist who appears on the intro of the album with “some killer bars”. “I feel like it leaves the album very high from the beginning,” he said.
Among the guests is also Island of Facesa renowned indie pop band from Argentina. Franc He said that his connection with them came through an old friendship with the drummer, who later joined the band. “I got hooked on his fame for this album,” he said humorously.
Franc He is clear about some of the artists he would love to work with in the future. “I would love to do a song with Dillom. It seems surreal, but maybe it will happen in a year or two. I also like them Akriila, Home and Nsqk. In fact, I met him and even greeted him. Nsqk when we play on the same stage. It would be a dream to collaborate with him.”
Last year, Home Worship He made his first tour of Europe, playing at several festivals. Now, Franc He has his sights set on a world tour for 2025. “We want to go to Mexico, Spain and see what happens. We are already starting to finalize some details. I am very excited to get to know Mexico. I feel that the people there are very warm.”
More than a specific message, Franc He seeks his music to be a source of accompaniment and connection. “I want them to feel that my music is something they can identify with. I want them to know that there is someone here who understands them, sends them strength and tells them: 'You are not alone and capable is not a big deal either'. Enjoy, live life and take advantage.”
With this album that fuses genres, high-caliber collaborations and a raw, reflective and sometimes melancholic energy, Home Worship It shows that it is ready to continue growing and conquering new territories. We sincerely thank Franc for granting this interview to Indie Rocks! His passion, authenticity and charisma resonate both in his music and in his way of being. We invite everyone to listen My Dark Summera work that shows values ​​such as friendship and reflects dedication. We are sure that his career will continue to shine brightly.
