Las Raras – “Esto es Soundtrip” (June 29, 2025)

Overview

In this special episode, Las Raras celebrates their 10th anniversary by sharing an intimate presentation of “Soundtrip,” their first album of music and soundscapes. The episode, recorded at the Festival Estación Podcast in Madrid, explores the origins, artistic philosophy, and innovative production process behind “Soundtrip,” highlighting the evolution of Las Raras from an independent project into a leading voice in Spanish-language narrative podcasting. The discussion blends behind-the-scenes stories, team reflections, and a strong focus on creative sound design, offering insight into why the music and soundscapes of Las Raras are so distinctive.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Decade of Storytelling (00:00–01:53)

• 10 Years of Las Raras: The hosts mark a decade of independent storytelling across Latin America, the US, and Spain, emphasizing their roots: “Nacimos como un proyecto independiente al final del mundo, sin nada más que nuestras ganas de contar historias reales en audio. Aprendimos todo en el camino.”
• Milestone Activities: They announce an online workshop (“Cómo crear tu propia serie documental sonora”) and a “Club de escucha crítica de podcast” to reflect on their craft with listeners, inviting participation: “Va a estar buenísimo. No se lo pierdan.”

2. The Central Role of Music (01:54–05:30)

• Music as Core Identity: From the beginning, original music has been integral to the documentary storytelling of Las Raras.
• Evolution of Sound: Early music was self-produced, but with growth and budget (by the third season), they began collaborating with professional musicians, notably Andrés Nusser.
• Building a Catalog: Over seasons, a substantial collection of original music formed, prompting recurring listener requests for an official album: “¿Siempre había alguien que decía: ‘¿Y cuándo el disco? ¿Cuándo el disco?’”
• Collaboration and Commitment: The idea of an album became a reality through a handshake agreement with Carlos Galán of Subterfuge Records during a previous Estación Podcast.
• An Original Sound Work: “Esto no es el playlist de la música que hemos hecho… sino que es una obra nueva.” Music was recomposed with Andrés Nusser, enhanced by years of field recordings collected across various countries. The resulting work is structured in two sides, designed for uninterrupted listening—“como una unidad sonora… un viaje sonoro entre música original y paisajes sonoros.”

3. Artistic Innovation, Soundscapes, and Recognition (05:30–09:49)

• Staying Innovative: With 10 years behind them, the team reflects on the challenge of remaining innovative and not repetitive in their creations: “¿Cómo seguir siendo disruptivos de alguna forma?”
• Integration of Soundscapes: They highlight the academic origins of “paisajes sonoros” (soundscapes) from Canadian traditions, and credit Martín for introducing this concept to Spanish-language podcasting:

  “No sé si eso se le ha reconocido lo suficiente a Martín y aprovecho esta instancia como para hacerlo, porque realmente es Martín el que trae el concepto de paisajes sonoros al mundo del podcast en español…” (05:30)

• Deep Artistic Vision: The soundscape approach adds beauty, complexity, and aesthetic richness to their narrative: “Es como una entrada un poco a la mente y al corazón y a la estética y a la propuesta artística de Martín.”
• Accessibility and Thanks: The album is available on digital platforms worldwide, and the vinyl can be ordered for international fans. The hosts express thanks for a decade of community support.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Origins and Growth:

  “Nacimos como un proyecto independiente al final del mundo, sin nada más que nuestras ganas de contar historias reales en audio. Aprendimos todo en el camino.”
  — Host A, 00:27

• On Professionalizing the Music:

  “Cuando tuvimos un poco de plata, decidimos que lo primero que teníamos que profesionalizar aún más y externalizar era la creación de la música…”
  — Host B, 02:53

• Listener Demand for an Album:

  “¿Siempre había alguien que decía: ‘¿Y cuándo el disco? ¿Cuándo el disco?’ Y eso empezó a sembrarse en nosotros…”
  — Host B, 03:58

• Creative Process of Soundtrip:

  “Juntamos esa música y la volvimos a trabajar. Y puse registros sonoros de paisajes y ambientes que he grabado durante varios años en distintos lugares de Latinoamérica, acá en España, en Estados Unidos. Hicimos una obra completamente nueva.”
  — Host B, 04:24

• On Soundscapes and Innovation:

  “Nosotros somos historias de libertad, sus protagonistas y paisajes sonoros. Entonces esa impronta de los paisajes sonoros, de la belleza que traen, de la complejidad que agregan a la narrativa sonora, a esa búsqueda de la belleza, de la armonía, de la estética que está la impronta de Martín en este proyecto, todo eso está ahí.”
  — Host A, 06:33

• Celebrating Together:

  “Oye, muchas gracias por venir, por celebrar nuestros 10 años con nosotros… Si están en otro país y quieren comprar una copia del vinilo, escríbanos…”
  — Host A, 09:15

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00–01:53] — Introduction: Anniversary, workshops, history of Las Raras
• [01:54–05:30] — Music’s evolution, process behind Soundtrip, collaboration with musicians and Subterfuge, creative intent of the album
• [05:30–09:49] — Philosophy of innovation, the role of soundscapes, the influence of Martín, album access details, gratitude to supporters

Conclusion

“Esto es Soundtrip” is both a celebration and a showcase of Las Raras’ evolution: from independent beginnings to influential cultural storytellers, with a distinct artistic identity forged by a deep commitment to music and sound design. The episode offers fans a rich look at the creative labor and philosophy underlying the new album—an invitation to experience not just stories, but a truly immersive auditory journey.

Listen to Soundtrip on Spotify, or find the vinyl on subterfugeshop.com. For news about workshops and international shipping, connect with Las Raras via their official email.