When they called it quits in 2010 after two years of nearly non-stop touring, recording and working themselves to exhaustion, self described “desert funk” band Esteban weren’t sure if they would ever reunite.

But then in 2018 after a series of fateful events aligned, the band members found themselves missing their joint creative outlet and reunited to continue on with their musical endeavors.

With a unique sound, driving passion and honest story telling flowing through their music, the band began making their comeback just as 2020 began to take a turn south and the music industry was essentially put on hold as the COVID-19 pandemic took over.

We had the chance to chat with Esteban as part of our Quarantine Questionnaire series to learn more about their 2020 and how they are coping with the drastic changes to life that have come over the past seven months.

You can read our full interview below and be sure to stream their new album Jackpot Motel out now.

Second Society Report: How are you holding up during this insane year that is 2020? Hopefully your friends and families are staying safe and healthy!

Esteban: We’re all good thanks and hope you are too. I would like to say at this point; and reach out to those who have found it difficult this year or who have lost someone close to them during this time.

SSR: Did you have any big releases or tours that were put on hold because of the pandemic? 

Esteban: Our new album Jackpot Motel is out now having been completed just before the lockdown in March. So, luckily you can find it on Spotify and all major digital stores. We even managed to manufacture a limited edition run of CD’s too if your car is old like mine! You can buy those here.

We had two big shows booked for the summer which were postponed. Now we’re just taking things steady, writing new music and remaining safe.

SSR: How has that affected the band? (could be personally, financially, morale wise, etc.) How have you been spending your newfound “downtime” while the world has been essentially shut down?

Esteban: It’s probably the same for everyone else but, it didn’t matter what our individual scenarios ended up being, be it furloughed, no change or double the workload; we simply could not avoid the fact it has been hard. It made us realise what is important and what isn’t.

That said, in the main 2020 has been a really productive period. Creating new music is one of the best mental exercises on the planet – lockdown was actually the perfect moment to write.

SSR: Have you picked up any new hobbies while quarantining that you’d like to share?

Esteban: Relaxing. Turning off the TV and Wi-Fi, picking up a book and chilling out. No point getting frustrated because your pre-March hobbies can’t go ahead. Reading is safe, let’s face it!

SSR: Have you worked on any new releases during this time? Any that are already out or that we can get a sneak peak of?

Esteban: Yes, the 16-track album Jackpot Motel is out and we’ve released two remixes of the lead single. “Suburban Paradise (The Comfy House Mix)” and (The Real Feel Mix) are something new for us. Mat Leppanen from our label The Animal Farm Music did a great job of taking Suburban Paradise to two musically different places, we are very lucky to be working with such a talent.

SSR: If already out – what was the inspiration for the release? Have you written any songs specifically about the state of the world right now? 

Esteban: Jackpot Motel is the rebirth of an unstoppable journey. Back in 2010, we were one of the busiest emerging bands in the country and in the midst of a monstrous nationwide tour. We could easily regard this period as the pinnacle of the Esteban odyssey; however, it was also what ultimately caused our demise. Long hours on the road, sleepless nights in vans and caravans and too many after parties to count inevitably took its toll on even the strongest of childhood bonds. The party stopped, and we called time-out.

But, like a gift from the heavens, an opportunity arose that none of us could have predicted. We met up in 2018 with our label The Animal Farm, England had just beaten Sweden in the World Cup and, on the banks of the River Thames, it was decided – Esteban’s reunion was confirmed.

What began as a jam, quickly formed the bedrock of a brand new and exciting second album. In spite of the years of separation, we were all amazed at how quickly muscle memory kicked in. The recording was agreed and over 8 winter days, a 16-track album was laid down with every ounce of determination that we all had clearly stored up for a long time.

Now we are a decade on, and whether you know Esteban’s story or not, anyone listening to the Jackpot Motel will be taken on the same voyage the four of us have been on during this decade hiatus. For anyone who missed the party back then, our Dirty Wrecked album is there as proof!

As for lockdown songs, we have a very real one called “Singapore Kiss,” about my sister and her boyfriend who were in Australia the same week the UK began to close the gates to the rest of the world. They made it to Singapore to where the song is set, you’ll have to wait for the recording to find out what happened next!

SSR: How has it been being an artist in a time when you cannot tour? How have you been working to promote your music and expand your reach?

Esteban: It’s a bizarre wake up call for all. What’s worse is now we are understanding the real impact to the music industry, in particular, the live sector. People need art and music and the freedom to encounter new artists, and be sent on that quest to find things that make them feel good. I’m not sure; and it might just be me; that social media fills that void. We are releasing videos and posting archive material which we are doing for our loyal fans. We’ve always been a live act and we’ve always been lucky enough to play in front of cool people in cool places. We’ll keep working on our show in readiness for when it is safe.

SSR: Do you have any words of advice for fans that are feeling particularly bummed out about the live music world coming to a halt?

Esteban: I don’t think it has halted; I don’t think that we are the only band in the world to be poised to record this year’s creations. Like all music that comes out of disasters and wars for instance, it’s rich and emotional and powerful and important. Get behind your favourite bands, ask them personally for any musical tit-bits? Engage with them because we are in this together and we are busy here making music for you. Come and say hello.

SSR: When the world returns to a safer spot and we are able to (hopefully) attend live shows again – say in 2021- what do you hope to achieve?

Esteban: If possible, we will reschedule the shows we had booked this year. If we can play to our fans as planned then that would be a great achievement. After that, it’s really just a case of doing what is equally as safe – live shows are just such an unknown even for next year.

SSR: Is there anything you wish your fans would know about you or about the current state of the music world? 

Esteban: I have interesting neighbours: 4 alpacas, 4 sheep, many chickens, maybe 30 deer, 7 horses, two reindeer and an owl. Not to mention the boogle of weasels and the fox, the badgers and migrating birds that all share the landscape. They do this in harmony by giving each other room, I guess we can always look to nature for answers.

You can stream Jackpot Motel out now wherever you stream music, and be sure to follow Esteban on social media via the links below to stay up to date on all things post-COVID performances and new music.

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