To be honest, I've never thought about it. I've always been focused on finding a sound on the bass that really makes its presence felt as an instrument—you know, not that typical fat sound that ends up getting lost and that no one can identify.

That's a very good question. Thinking about it, I would definitely try to add something from my country's folklore: a ñolkin or a trutruka, for example, to harmonize certain songs or create an introduction with identity. Even an Andean drum could add depth and variety to the percussion.

It's quite a broad question. Whenever someone asks, “Who is your favorite bassist or musician?” or “Who inspired you to play?”, many names start to come up, and in the end, you realize that it's not just one person (although for some, there may be one musician who has had a definitive influence on them).

So, I could mention hundreds, but I'll take the liberty of naming three who undoubtedly taught me that the path of the bassist in the world of rock is much broader than it seems:

Felipe Ilabaca: bassist for Chancho en Piedra and, in my opinion, the best funk rock bassist in Chile. His ability to sing while playing complex bass lines with impressive clarity has been an inspiration throughout my life. I recommend the now classic “Historias de Amor y Condón” (Stories of Love and Condoms)... well, the truth is that I recommend all his songs, but if I had to choose something different, I would say: listen to (or better yet, see live) “La Porcina Comedia: Infierno” (The Pig Comedy: Hell).

Ryan Martinie: When I first heard “Dig,” I said, “What is this?” Then I discovered Mudvayne and Ryan. At the risk of being wrong, I think he was one of the first to show that the bass can have its own voice in rock and metal, beyond being a simple background accompaniment. Without a doubt, one of the great inspirations for modern bassists.

Paul D'Amour: For me (again, at the risk of being wrong), he was one of the pioneers of bass in modern psychedelic progressive rock. Then came Justin [Chancellor], who is also a great reference point for his style and sound. But Paul definitely left many speechless with his bass lines.

I get really motivated when I'm listening to new music. I'm constantly looking for modern bands that inspire me to improve my sound or try new techniques. You could say that, in those moments, I start to feel inspired.

But without a doubt, I feel most creative when I'm with Born Slave (Pedro, Juanma, Pablo). When one of them comes up with an idea and we start improvising and working on the arrangements, that's when my mind really gets going. It's at that moment when I feel that everything flows more naturally.

In the end, as Picasso said: “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

Another difficult question. But, purely because of its complexity—and considering that I would have nothing else to do—I would use the time to better understand Tool's album “Lateralus.”

Nothing... it's not my fault they didn't finish elementary school.

But seriously, the bass is the bridge between harmony and rhythm, and when it's not there, you notice it. The problem is that many people don't know what they're listening to until it's missing. Then they realize that it wasn't so “secondary” after all.

More than having composed or written it, what I really wish for is to have the ability to create something like that. And there are many songs, but I'll mention the first one that came to mind:

“Blues al Desaparecido” – El Cruce.

That's a very good question. The role of the bassist has always been clear: they provide the foundation for the sound, the thickness of the band, and, depending on the musical style, they contribute the main groove. Within the world of rock, they have always had their place, and great bassists such as Glenn Hughes, Geddy Lee, and the great Billy Sheehan have made that quite clear.

However, when we enter the world of heavier metal, their presence begins to disappear. The bassist becomes an accompanist to the two guitarists, and many did not bother to go beyond that. This happened mainly from the 1980s until almost 2010.

Then the internet appeared, and with it, social media. This allowed many musicians who were in the shadows to demonstrate their skills and, without realizing it, generate a kind of “competition” that drove improvement in the quality and creativity of all musicians, both amateur and professional.

In addition, companies such as Darkglass, Aguilar, Dingwall, among others, began to focus on bassists, offering them more and better tools to highlight their sound.

In short, the role of the bassist has evolved greatly: they are no longer mere accompanists but have become key players in a band's sound creation. Today, bassists not only provide the rhythmic and harmonic foundation but also contribute identity, texture, and personality to the overall sound.

Not anymore, actually. My ritual used to be smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer while setting up my equipment. But now you can't smoke in bars... and well, drinking is unhealthy.

Elvis Presley's “Suspicious Minds,” live in Las Vegas. I can't say much more... for me, it's one of the best bass lines ever.