Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Under the Symphony
Hello! My name is Facundo Nahas, and I’m one of the founding members of Under the Symphony, an alternative/indie rock band from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It all started back in 2014 as a passionate project with my childhood friend Fernando Flores. We shared a dream: to create music that blends diverse influences — from classic rock and pop to electronic elements and beyond — and share it with the world. That’s why we chose to write and sing in English, to break borders and connect with listeners everywhere.
After years of composing and refining our sound, we released our debut single ‘Shine For You’ in 2018, followed by our first full album Storm in a Volcano later that year. It’s been an incredible journey seeing our songs reach people across the globe on platforms like Spotify.
We’re all about fusing genres, raw energy, and heartfelt lyrics — inspired by life, love, rebellion, and everything in between. If you’re into unique alternative rock with a touch of indie and experimental vibes, we’d love for you to check us out!
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I’ve actually been surrounded by music my entire life. Growing up, I listened mostly to international artists — from classic rock legends to alternative and indie bands that were blowing up around the world. That global sound shaped me deeply.
When I started playing guitar as a kid and began writing my own songs, alternative rock just flowed naturally. It felt like the perfect way to express what was inside me: raw energy, introspective lyrics, and those big, emotional melodies.
That’s when I made a key decision: to write and sing all my lyrics in English. I wanted our music to feel borderless, to reach listeners everywhere without limitations, and to connect on a universal level. It was the best way to take what Fernando and I were creating in Buenos Aires and share it with the world
How did your passion for creating music begin?
My passion for creating music really began in my childhood—I’ve been surrounded by it for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Buenos Aires, I was always listening to international artists: classic rock bands, alternative and indie acts from all over the world that were huge back then. That global sound just hooked me—it felt bigger than anything local, full of raw emotion, big melodies, and stories that transcended borders.
When I picked up the guitar as a kid, everything clicked. I started experimenting, writing my first songs, and almost immediately, alternative rock ideas poured out. It was the genre that felt most natural to me: that mix of energy, introspection, and freedom to express whatever was going on inside.
That’s when I made a conscious choice to write all my lyrics in English. I didn’t want language to be a barrier—I dreamed of our music reaching people everywhere, connecting on a deeper, universal level. It was about breaking out and sharing those feelings with the world, not just staying local.
That early spark turned into Under the Symphony years later with my childhood friend Fernando Flores. We fused our influences and turned that passion into something real. Looking back, it all started with those endless hours listening, playing, and dreaming as a kid. Music has been my way of making sense of life ever since
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Under the Symphony began as a personal project with a big dream: to connect with people all over the world through alternative rock music that speaks a universal language. That’s why, from the very beginning with my childhood friend Fernando Flores, we chose to write and sing in English — to break borders and reach listeners everywhere.
Our debut album, Storm in a Volcano (2018), was all about keeping things raw and direct. We focused on crafting simple yet powerful songs — full of energy, emotion, and those catchy melodies that stick with you.
But over time, we’ve evolved. These days, we’re experimenting more boldly with different instruments and sounds. For example, I started playing the banjo and even the ukulele, bringing fresh textures into our music. You can hear it clearly in our latest album, The Ruthless Art of Living — there’s a track where the banjo takes center stage, adding this unexpected warmth and edge.
The most amazing part? Critics have pointed out that this new album goes beyond pure alternative rock and steps into art rock territory — more progressive, layered, and experimental. The crazy thing is, we didn’t plan it that way. It just happened naturally as we followed our creativity. Hearing that we’ve organically grown into a new genre feels incredibly rewarding — it’s proof that staying true to our instincts is paying off.
We’re excited about where this journey is taking us next. More experiments, more genres to explore, and always that same goal: making music that resonates globally.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
If I had to describe our sound to someone who’s never heard Under the Symphony before, I’d say it’s alternative rock at its core — that raw, emotional energy from the ’90s and 2000s bands like Radiohead, Muse, or Coldplay in their earlier days, mixed with indie vibes reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys or The Killers.
But we’re not just sticking to one lane. We love fusing genres to create something fresh and borderless. Our debut album, Storm in a Volcano, is more straightforward alternative/indie rock: powerful guitars, catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics about love, loss, and rebellion — simple yet intense songs that hit you emotionally.
As we’ve evolved, especially in our latest work like The Ruthless Art of Living (a conceptual album in two parts), we’ve started experimenting more. We’ve layered in art rock elements — more progressive structures, atmospheric synths, and unexpected twists — plus touches of reggae rhythms, country flavors with banjo (which I picked up specifically for some tracks), and even ukulele for warmer textures. It’s like taking classic rock energy and blending it with pop-rock hooks, indie introspection, and a bit of experimental edge.
Overall, our music feels universal: melodic, energetic, and introspective, with lyrics in English that explore life’s ups and downs. If you like bands that aren’t afraid to mix things up while keeping it accessible and emotional, that’s us. We’d love for you to give ‘Shine For You’ or the title track from The Ruthless Art of Living a listen — see what you think!
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I believe the world is constantly changing, and music has to evolve with it — otherwise, it stagnates. That said, I’m not the biggest fan of a lot of today’s mainstream music; I often find it too formulaic or fleeting. But instead of rejecting it completely, I prefer to take what works from current trends and blend it into something fresh and timeless.
That’s exactly what excites me the most: mixing styles and pushing boundaries. I love taking elements from modern genres — whether it’s the atmospheric production of indie-electronic acts, the rhythmic pulse of today’s pop, or even subtle hip-hop influences in beats and flow — and fusing them with our core alternative rock foundation.
In our latest album, The Ruthless Art of Living, you can hear that approach in action. We kept the emotional depth and melodic strength of classic alternative and art rock, but we also experimented with new textures: banjo and ukulele for unexpected warmth, hints of reggae grooves, country-tinged storytelling, and more layered, progressive structures. The result feels current without chasing trends — it’s honest evolution.
For me, songwriting is about staying curious. I’m always listening, learning, and asking: ‘What happens if I combine this with that?’ The goal isn’t to follow what’s popular right now, but to create something new that still connects deeply with people. That’s how music stays alive and relevant, no matter how fast the world spins.”
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
For me, the creative process always starts with the guitar — it’s absolutely the heart and soul of everything I do. Whether it’s an electric for that raw alternative rock drive or an acoustic for more intimate ideas, the guitar is where every song is born. I’ll sit down with it, explore riffs, chord progressions, or arpeggios, and let the music speak first. Melody and harmony come way before words — I’m definitely a composer who prioritizes the music over the lyrics. The emotion, the groove, the atmosphere… all of that has to feel right musically before I even think about what the song is going to say.
Once the musical foundation is solid, the voice comes in as the second most important tool. I use it almost like another instrument — focusing on melody lines, dynamics, and textures that complement the guitars. I’m not chasing perfect vocal technique; I care more about how the voice sits in the arrangement and carries the feeling of the music.
From there, things open up. In recent years I’ve fallen in love with adding unexpected colors: the banjo has become a favorite for giving certain tracks a sharp, earthy edge, and the ukulele brings warmth and lightness when I want something more delicate. I also use basic keyboards and synths for atmospheric layers, especially as we’ve moved toward more art rock territory.
On the software side, I keep it pretty straightforward: Logic Pro is my main DAW — reliable, intuitive, and great for arranging ideas quickly. I use some native plugins for guitars (amp sims like Guitar Rig or Amplitube when I can’t crank a real amp), reverb, delay, and subtle effects to shape the sound. For mixing references, I rely a lot on good monitors and headphones, but I try not to get lost in endless plugins — the goal is always to serve the song, not the gear.
At the end of the day, the most essential “tool” is just time alone with the guitar, letting ideas flow without pressure. Everything else — voice, other instruments, software — is there to support what starts on those six strings.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Lately I’ve been completely hooked on the classic indie scene that shaped me growing up — I keep going back to Arctic Monkeys (especially their early albums like AM and Favourite Worst Nightmare), The Strokes (those raw, effortless riffs in Is This It never get old), and pretty much anything from that whole early-2000s New York and UK indie wave: Franz Ferdinand, Sticky Fingers, Oasis, Gorillaz… that energy still feels timeless to me.
On a different note, I’ve always been a huge fan of English folk and singer-songwriter traditions. One artist who’s been with me since I was a kid is Phil Collins — yeah, I know he’s more pop/rock, but those melodies, the emotional delivery in songs like ‘In the Air Tonight’ or ‘Against All Odds’, and even his softer Genesis-era stuff… that taught me so much about how a great melody and heartfelt vocal can carry an entire song. His influence still sneaks into my writing, especially when I’m aiming for something more atmospheric or introspective.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My personal experiences have shaped pretty much every note and lyric I’ve ever written — music has always been my way of processing life.
Growing up in Buenos Aires, I was surrounded by international sounds from a very young age: Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, the whole indie explosion, plus that deep love for English folk traditions and artists like Phil Collins, who I’ve admired since I was a kid because of how emotionally direct and melodic his songs feel. Those influences gave me a global perspective early on. Even though I was in Argentina, my musical world felt borderless — and that’s exactly why, when I started writing my own songs on guitar as a child, I chose to do everything in English. It wasn’t about rejecting my roots; it was about reaching out, about making music that could connect with anyone, anywhere, without barriers.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I’d like to take a moment to say thank you — from the bottom of my heart — to every single person who listens to our music. You are the reason we keep creating.
I truly hope that true music lovers never disappear. In a world that’s constantly changing, often too fast and too loud, good music and thoughtful listeners are one of the few real sources of hope. To me, there’s something deeply special about someone who knows how to truly listen — someone who can fall in love with a song, feel it in their soul, and let it move them on a deeper level… more than just needing a beat to dance or move their body.
Music, for me, has always been a way to escape reality when it gets overwhelming, a direct line to connect with your own emotions, your memories, your inner world. It’s a refuge, a mirror, a friend in silence.
So please, never stop searching for new sounds. Never stop giving new songs a chance. Let yourself get lost in a melody, in a lyric, in a moment that only music can create. Keep connecting deeply with pieces of art that speak to you.
As long as there are listeners like you — curious, open-hearted, and passionate — there will always be a reason to keep making music.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Never give up. Sometimes I get tired — really tired — from working all week, juggling life and everything else. There are days when keeping going feels heavy. But I never give up, because I truly believe that a song can completely change someone’s day.
I don’t need to know if my music has made a big difference in the world. I don’t even know if any of my songs have truly touched or changed someone’s life. But if just one person ever tells me, ‘Hey, your song made my day better,’ or ‘I felt less alone listening to that track,’ that would be enough. That single message would make everything worth it.
My biggest dream as a musician is to reach people’s hearts — not just with melodies and guitars, but with lyrics that feel honest and human. Music, for me, is something magical: a quiet bridge that connects strangers, a way to say what words alone sometimes can’t. I love the idea that a riff I played in my room in Buenos Aires, or a melody that came to me on a tired afternoon, might land in someone’s ears across the world and make them feel seen, understood, or simply happier.
That connection — that invisible, beautiful thread between the artist and the listener — is what keeps me writing, recording, and sharing. As long as there’s even a small chance to touch someone’s soul with a song, I’ll keep going.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
We don’t really dream about playing massive, famous festivals — that’s never been our main goal. Of course, we’d be honored to be considered for events like that if the opportunity arises, but it’s not something we’re chasing as a ‘dream to make true.’
For us, the perfect place to play is anywhere with good, open-hearted listeners — people who are truly there for the music, ready to connect and feel something. Whether it’s a small intimate venue, a local bar, a house show, or even a bigger stage with an attentive crowd, that energy makes any spot feel magical.
What matters most is the connection: sharing our songs with people who listen deeply, who let the music touch them. That’s the real reward. As long as there are audiences like that — curious, passionate, and present — we’ll keep playing, growing, and sharing what we create.
Thank you to every venue, promoter, and listener who gives independent artists like us a chance. Those are the stages that mean the world to us.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
We’re completely open to collaborations with any artist who feels a connection with our sound and would like to have us on their tracks. At the same time, we’d love to invite different voices and talents into our own songs — bringing fresh perspectives and energies.
Right now, it’s mostly a matter of time and finding the right matches, but I’m really hopeful that some exciting collaborations will happen soon. Imagine blending our alternative/art rock roots with influences from other cultures, languages, and styles — it could create entirely new atmospheres, something unique and truly universal.
Music has no borders, and collaborating across them is one of the most beautiful ways to grow and connect with the world. If you’re an artist reading this and feel like there’s something we could create together, don’t hesitate to reach out. Who knows — the next great song might start with a simple message.
Looking forward to those magical moments.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Yes! You can find Under the Symphony on all major platforms — we’re everywhere you listen to music.
Stream us on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon Music, Tidal, and more. Watch our videos and live sessions on YouTube. Stay updated and connect with us on Instagram and TikTok, where we share behind-the-scenes, new releases, and a bit of our daily journey.
Just search for ‘Under the Symphony’ and you’ll find us. Save our songs, add them to your playlists, share them with friends — every listen, follow, and share means the world to us.
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Looking toward the future, my dream for the next chapter of Under the Symphony isn’t about fame or massive stages — it’s about growth, connection, and staying true to what moves us.
I’d love to keep evolving our sound naturally: dive deeper into those experiments we’ve started, blending our alternative and art rock roots with more unexpected elements — maybe more banjo and ukulele textures, subtle electronic layers, hints of reggae or folk influences — whatever feels honest in the moment. The goal is to release new music that surprises even us, albums or EPs that reflect life as it comes, always putting the guitar and melody first, with lyrics that arrive only after the music has something important to say.
Collaborations excite me a lot. I dream of working with artists from different cultures, backgrounds, and styles — inviting voices from other countries, languages, or genres into our songs, and jumping onto their tracks too. Imagine creating something that mixes Buenos Aires energy with sounds from anywhere else in the world. That kind of cross-cultural exchange could open completely new atmospheres and help our music reach even more hearts.
Live shows will always be central. I hope we get to play more places — small intimate venues, hidden clubs, local scenes abroad — anywhere with open, passionate listeners who truly connect with the songs. If bigger opportunities or festivals come along organically, we’d embrace them gratefully, but the real dream is those moments where the room feels alive because everyone is present and feeling the music together.
Above all, my biggest hope is that our songs keep finding people who need them — that someone, somewhere, has a better day, feels less alone, or finds a bit of escape because of a melody we created. If we can keep writing, recording, playing, and growing while staying independent and authentic, and if good listeners keep showing up… that’s the dream coming true.
The next chapter is about continuing this journey with gratitude, curiosity, and the same passion that started it all back when Fernando and I were just two kids dreaming of taking our music to the world.
Thank you for being part of it. The best is yet to come.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
What I hope listeners discover about me as they dive into Under the Symphony’s music is that I’m just a guy from Buenos Aires who found his voice — and his escape — in a guitar from a young age. Someone who’s been shaped by the world through international sounds: the raw indie fire of Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes that made me dream big, the melodic heart of English folk and Phil Collins (an artist I’ve loved since I was a kid for how he makes you feel every emotion raw and true), and all those bands that taught me music can cross any border.
They’ll hear a composer who always puts the music first — riffs and melodies born on six strings in quiet moments, before words even whisper what the song wants to say. It’s personal: those tired weeks grinding through life, picking up the guitar anyway because I know a simple progression can change a day, make someone feel less alone, or light up their soul like it does mine.
As they listen from Storm in a Volcano’s straightforward alternative rock energy to The Ruthless Art of Living’s experimental layers — banjo twang, ukulele warmth, art rock twists with reggae hints and synth atmospheres — I hope they discover my curiosity, my refusal to stay in one place. That I’m not chasing fame or huge festivals; I dream of real connections in any intimate venue with open-hearted listeners who truly hear, who let the songs touch them deeper than a beat for dancing.
Ultimately, I hope they find a friend in the music — someone humble and resilient, who writes in English to reach their hearts across the world, who values thoughtful ears over crowds. That through our songs, they discover their own stories reflected back: love, rebellion, escape, hope in a changing world. And if one melody makes their day brighter or helps them connect with their inner self, that’s everything. Music is magic for the soul, and sharing it with you is what keeps me going.
If you want here you can add a representative Youtube video to insert below the interview 🙂
Cossfire in 2/4 (2022):
