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Kirtan (rock band)

The band's classic MK IV lineup at Club Capone, May 17th, 2008. Left to Right: David Montes, Jeffrey Delgado, Jose Calvo and Federico Herrera.

Kirtan were a Costa Rican band formed in San José in 2006. The group consisted of guitarist Jose Calvo, singer Jeffrey Delgado, bassist Federico "Friko" Herrera, and drummer David Montes. The band was a part of the fourth wave of tico rock with acts such as La Brugmansia, Belleth, Akasha, Introvisión and Sight of Emptiness. Their sound relied heavily on pilsen-induced beats and guitar-driven call center textures. Their style drew from a variety of influences including classic rock, metal and folk.

They began as Equinoxio playing the underground rock circuit and recorded two EP's. After changing their name they published their first LP Mental Eclipse (2008). Their concerts were widely bootlegged in both CD and DVD format. "Mindless Abortion" and "Theater of Lies" remain cult classic favorites. Kirtan's story was featured in "SIn Patas No Hay Paraíso" a 55 minute documentary premiered on at Teatro Urbano on August 25th, 2011.

History

Formation

Business students, 24 year-old David Montes, and 18 year-old Jose Calvo met at Universidad Interamericana (currently Latin University of Costa Rica), both worked day jobs at Maersk Line and an online pharmacy respectively. Along classmate Adryanna Apellidos, the trio became inseparable for parties, trips and humor. Adryanna was like the big sister and became a key figure in creating a strong friendship between them. David heard Jose's latest EP "Immortal Fax Machine" and expressed his interest in music. A former drummer, Montes only experience was a band from his high school days circa 2000. Calvo was a former classic guitar alumni and composer with many hours of rock training on stage. The idea of forming a band had been discussed on late night frequent visits to Big Dogs (demolished), Cebolla Verde and Meme el Pajarito. The duo visited Bansbach, a local music store, for an improptu guitar/drums jam session. David purchased a drum set the next day and Equinoxio was born.

Early Years, First Breakup 2006-2007

Equinoxio started off as a duo with their music style composed around guitar riffs and basic rock beats. The first sessions took place in late October 2006 at the Montes Family Residence in Bello Horizonte with more songs worked at "Nelson's Bodega" near Centro Comercial El Pueblo. By early 2007, Calvo and Montes had written 10 tracks including "Eternal", "Un Corto Adiós" and "Constrictor". Equinoxio's self-titled EP was published in late February comprised of basic instrumental tracks. The band was looking for a bass player, David's fiancé made the arrangements through a friend and contacted 19 year-old Federico "Friko" Herrera for a meeting with Equinoxio. Calvo and Montes met Herrera on May 6th. Friko heard the tracks and agreed to join the band. Rehearsals for their first tour to began in late May thru June at El Chante de Marito and Audio Arte. Montes managed to book a gig, a friday night party at his job located on Oficentro Pavas, there was no pay but free drinks and food. The Calvo, Herrera and Montes sessions showed chemistry with two new songs added to their repertoire "Our Pollution Is The Apocalypse" and "Transarabic Improv". Equinoxio debuted at 8pm on June 15th, 2007 at Salón de Fiestas, Oficentro Pavas. The crowd was composed of David's coworkers who despised rock music and thought the band was to perform pop cover songs. Second show of the "Hyundai Liquor" Tour was held at Sala Calle 15, a small theater located in downtown San José. The venue was spotted months before by Calvo when he attended a punk rock show. Sala Calle 15's owner, Alfredo Zamora was a film-maker and a supportive figure whose theater contributed greatly to the band as well as the local art scene.

Jose Calvo was chosen to perform his eletric guitar compositions at the XIV Festival Internacional de Guitarra celebrated at the Teatro Nacional (San José). A dispute over musical priorities between Calvo and Montes led to Jose leaving the band in early September. Adryanna Apellidos suggested David try out one of her employees as a singer for his band. Jeffrey Delgado met at Giacomín for some heavy metal coffee, David offered the lead vocalist position in Equinoxio looking to change their instrumental style towards a standard rock lineup with lyrics. Jeff was reluctant at first, after hearing the band's music he agreed. The new formed trio considered changing their style towards an unplugged project using Delgado acoustic guitar skills.

Reunion Tour 2008

Kirtan live at Sala Calle 15, August 28th, 2008. Mental Eclipse Tour. Left to Right: Herrera, Montes, Delgado and Calvo.

Calvo agrees to reunite for a one-off rehearsal at Shammo Studios in San Francisco De Dos Ríos. All four members attended and played a 60 minute set. Chemisty was good and Jeff's vocals proved a good add-on to their instrumental based catalog. A second session was booked the following week resulting in "Shammo Demmo", an three track EP. The band embarked on the "Reunionsistas" five month tour through San José with two shows at Club Capone, three runs at Sala Calle 15 and a final acoustic show at Skené Theater in which they officialy changed their name to Kirtan after management found out a group already had the name Equinoxio since 2005.

Recording of "Mental Eclipse"

Fresh off the tour in between internal turmoil and their struggle to reach bigger audiences, Calvo suggested they should record an album. Federico Herrera's job schedule had him leave the band temporarily thus not participating on the sessions that ran from August to early September at Jose's home studio. Drums and vocals were recorded with a Baratieri Studio Microphone, guitars and basses ran thru a direct box. Jose produced the album, tensions arised when working out new vocal arrangements on old songs and final mixes, the band had a hard time agreeing on the overall sound. The group recorded definite takes of the band's classics plus three new tracks, "Faith of the Untitled", "The Seventh Call" and the acoustic ballad "Theater of Lies" written by Jeff in 2005.

Montes did the cover art for the record and an official photoshoot on September 20th, was held on the recently demolished Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica before the new building was constructed. Mental Eclipse premiered on listening party on Jeff's 24th birthday celebrated on September 27th.

Tour and Second Breakup 2008

Two shows were played in support of the album with Federico Herrera back on the bass, August 28th at Sala Calle 15 with no supporting act and October 10th at Club Capone sharing the bill with 6 bands. Calvo and Montes attended Radio U's Son Bands to promote the album and that day's show. The concert was married by P.A problems. Band tension led Jeff Delgado to quit the band on October 22nd. This led to a feud between Calvo and Montes over Kirtan's future. David sold his drum set. The band was officially over.

Third Reunion and Third Breakup 2009-2010

Kirtan perfoming at Jazz Café Escazú. April 12th, 2010.

On January 8th the 2009 Costa Rica earthquake hit Cinchona, Federico Herrera's hometown. Friko and his family managed to escape their house before it was destroyed. In support of their bandmate, Calvo, Delgado and Montes visited him two weeks later, at the same time they decided to do a small acoustic tour as a trio. The infamous "Cosa Unplugged Sin Electricidad" tour ran from February till June with a set comprised of cover songs, Calvo and Delgado con acoustic guitars with Montes playing minor percussion. Friko officially returned to the band on November 21st for a two hour rehearsal at Area 51 Studios in Los Yoses[1]. Kirtan was back for their Fifth Tour "Awww Juntos". First show was played at Area 51 Studios Guarera Music Fest on December 20th, 2009. "Faith of the Untitled" was played live for the first time.

The band participated in an Earthquake Relief show for Haiti held on January 23th, 2010 at Sala Calle 15. Jeff landed the band's biggest show on April 12th as the first hard rock band to play at the prestigious Jazz Café Escazú on the same Sight of Emptiness shared the honors at Jazz Café San Pedro. The concert was recorded and released as CaféClimax. Due to personal and musical tensions Jeff left the band on May 10th. Two shows followed. Centro Cultural de España on May 21st and a final performance as a rock trio withouth Delgado at Jazz Café Escazú with Calvo taking on lead vocalist duties.

Rehearsals took place in late June with Friko's agenda generating friction between him and Montes which led to Herrera ultimately quitting the band in July. Calvo and Montes were back on page one. The duo worked sessions for a possible follow up album to 2008's Mental Eclipse. The result was a 3-song instrumental EP called "Bipolarus". Further plans for Kirtan were posponed and the band went into an indefinite hiatus.

Reunion Tour and Final Breakup 2011

Calvo, Montes and Delgado. February 2011.

After months of not speaking a word to each other, Calvo saw Delgado at Skene Theater's open mic night. Both men shared the stage for an improvised reunion and a set of cover songs. Jeff's older brother died days later. Montes and Calvo attended the service. In late 2010 Jose filled out a registration form to play at a Battle of the Bands competition. One of the band's participating convinced him his old band should do it. Jeff would call a week later and talk about returning to the stage with him, Montes and Herrera. Alfredo Zamora, Sala Calle 15's owner, passed away in October at age 56, the band found out in December and was devastated. They decided to reunite in honor of a man who helped the group since their early years.

On January 2011, Battle of the Bands announced the band selection with Kirtan included on the list. Herrera refused to come back for the Sixth Tour "Como El Crack Imposible de Dejar", Emil Minott, Calvo's Zeppelin tribute band bassist was called in for the job making his live debut with the group on February 2nd at Latino Rock Café. The same venue saw the first round for Battle of the Bands, friends votes were needed to succeed, the band had none but won the Jury's prize and moved on to the Finals. Kirtan performed at Bansbach Multiplaza in front of a small crowd including swedish rock producer Jen Iferolsen, the band played a 60 minute set. Battle of the Bands Final run was held on Sunday June 27th. With the decision depending solely on votes, Kirtan lost. Later that night the band went to a bar and discussed their future, Jose decided to quit the band.

Aftermath

Battle of the Bands' promoter, Chico B, offered Jose a spot for Kirtan as opening act for the Red Hot Chili Peppers August 22nd show in Costa Rica. All they had to do was record a new demo of their work at a specific studio. Emil and Jeff agreed but were short on cash. Montes declined to split the cost for the sessions between him and Calvo. Kirtan never played again.

Calvo made his film-maker debut with "SIn Patas No Hay Paraíso" a 55 minute documentary premiered at Teatro Urbano on August 25th, 2011. The movie spanned thru their 5 year career featuring concert footage and interviews showing their troubles and tribulations as an underground rock band. The film has the only known interview with the late Alfredo Zamora, owner and founder of Sala Calle 15.

Jose continues to perform as a solo artist under the name Chukusán. In 2015 he published his first solo LP, "Millennials" to mild critical acclaim. Jeff, Friko and David retired from the music industry.

The band's original members reunited away from the stage in 2016 at Yoguis Superb Cuisine in San Pedro. They remain good friends with no plans for a reunion.

Discography

Equinoxio EP (2007)
ShammoDemmo EP ( 2008)
Mental Eclipse (2008)
Mental Pichudisms EP (2009)
Kirtan Promotional EP (2010)
CafeClímax (live) (2010)
The Zarpe (live) (2010)
Bipolarus EP (2010)
Bipolarus Promo Single (2011)