 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Robi Draco Rosa Theater of the Absurd |
| Corona Extra Surf Circuit Competitors Sign Up Here |
When Nilda Perez contacted us about doing an
interview with Draco, we knew we would have to
dig deep into our creative membrane to come up
with something original.
Then it came to me; I’ve seen him skate in
videos and a few metal heads from Blue Moon
said they have surfed with him in Isabela. Nice! With a pair of
pocket dueces, we were all in. The interview was in Isla Verde,
so I gave Carlos Cabrero at Tres Palmas Surf Shop a call to see
if he could help us out in a pinch. Sure enough, he had a shop
skateboard on hand and was happy to help out. I arrived photo
finish to the Ritz Carlton Hotel at 10:29:59 with a skateboard and
our photographer Milton Quintero.
The lobby was full of visiting tourists and we met up with
Nilda, Draco’s agent. We approached the skateboard issue and
she said, “I’m sure it won’t be a problem, but let me ask.” She
headed over to an unsuspecting corner of the lobby where
Draco was amongst a crew of what looked like a circus crew
tweeked out on coffee. To draw it out for you, I think I saw
Captain Ahab from Moby Dick amongst the Draco carny’s.
The oblivious American family sitting on the adjacent couch
had no clue as they appeared to be ready to get out of there as
soon as possible en route to their tourist trap. It truly was a theater of the
absurd. Nilda headed back over and gave us the thumbs up about the
skateboard and beckoned us over to begin the interview. With questions in
one hand a skateboard in the other, we headed into the circus tent.
D.I.M. The first thing we do after an extended stay off island is check the
waves. What’s the first thing Draco does?
DRACO: Same here, I make it a point to check out the ocean and jump in
within 3 hours and usually in Isabela. Then I take time to catch up with friends
and family.
D.I.M. Your new album is being labeled pop by some critics, which is a crime.
How would you describe it?
DRACO: There is really no way to describe it or music genre where it fits.
What kind of music is pop anyway. Everyone has their own perception of
truth. I think the album is total choas. The only person I compete with is me. I
am very unstable emotionally and this has always been both my gift and my
curse.
D.I.M. – Did you do anything different on this album than on previous?
DRACO: This whole journey started out with Italian wines. I love wine and the
first song is Los Vinos, very true to the moment. All 2 inch tapes in the
recording studio were titled Vino, the original name for the album, but after
nighthangs at the studio and one absurd conversation to the next, like; how to
clean up Jobos, relatives passing away, reflections of a young adult, your first
sip of wine, and the reality of religion and its demise, we somehow came up
with the Theater of the Absurd. Inluences for the album came from Bob Dylan,
the Puerto Rican soldier, Don Quijote, and Hurricane Katrina. Happy sick –
even trying to break with the reggaeton beat.
D.I.M. Being in L.A. you must have grown accustomed to our Mexican
brethren and the friendly rivalry amongst Puerto Ricans and Mexicans.
Tamales or pastales?
DRACO: I’ll have to kick it with tamales.
D.I.M. What is the difference between the City of Angels and the Big Apple?
DRACO: The big apple brings up a lot of hectic memories from my late teens,
but I like California, mountains, dessert and ocean. Around every valley is
hope and Florida is too flat, I don’t understand why so many Puertoricans
move there. I dig California because I’m into biking and its perfect, not racing
or anything, but a throw back to inner city freestyle messenger biking.
D.I.M. Who have you met recently that inspired you?
DRACO: Everyone inspires me because everyone is interesting regardless of
their political views. I love to exchange ideas with individuals; groups who think
the same create cohesion.
D.I.M. Your thoughts on the local music scene?
DRACO: Local music scene is great. There’s nothing better than people
getting together and dancing enjoying music. My respect to all.
D.I.M. Have you found DownIsland in Hollywood yet?
DRACO: Who?
D.I.M. Just checking.
D.I.M. Local citizens here in Puerto Rico are beginning to feel claustrophobic
amongst developers. What advice do you have for the brave citizens trying to
conserve the islands natural resources and what are your thoughts on the
issue?
DRACO: I think its disgusting the exchange of dirty money. I think whats
happening in Pinones, Luquillo and Isabela is a tragedy. The government
should blow up all of these crooked projects. Instead of building new, they
should be focused on restoring all of the old beautiful abandoned buildings on
the island. We need a hard line government here that’s going to stop this.
One Liners
D.I.M. Beach or the mountains?
DRACO: That’s too difficult. I cant choose, I want a beach house in the
mountains.
D.I.M. Sushi or steak?
DRACO: Sushi definitely
D.I.M. Exercise?
DRACO: I enjoy riding my bike and also jogging, I enjoy running.
D.I.M. Blondes or Brunettes?
DRACO: Beaches and mountains
D.I.M. How do you roll? Solo or with an entourage.
DRACO: Do you mean like Paris Hilton? I’ve seen her entourage and it’s a
scene. I prefer to roll solo, no security, I just embrace the world and kick it.
D.I.M. Get up early or sleep in?
DRACO: Up early. I always get up around 8 a.m. I make it a point to take a
short nap in the hammock during the afternoon.
D.I.M. Thanks to.
DRACO: You guys man for providing this opportunity.
D.I.M. Hey DRACO, we were wondering if you would skate around in the
parking lot with this skateboard for a photo op.
DRACO: Hell yea! What do you have? A long board? Do you have a short
board? I can rip out some tricks if you do. No? well, it will do. Lets go tear up
the Ritz.
D.I.M. And that he did. In boots.
(Photos by Milton Quintero D.I.M.)
interview with Draco, we knew we would have to
dig deep into our creative membrane to come up
with something original.
Then it came to me; I’ve seen him skate in
videos and a few metal heads from Blue Moon
said they have surfed with him in Isabela. Nice! With a pair of
pocket dueces, we were all in. The interview was in Isla Verde,
so I gave Carlos Cabrero at Tres Palmas Surf Shop a call to see
if he could help us out in a pinch. Sure enough, he had a shop
skateboard on hand and was happy to help out. I arrived photo
finish to the Ritz Carlton Hotel at 10:29:59 with a skateboard and
our photographer Milton Quintero.
The lobby was full of visiting tourists and we met up with
Nilda, Draco’s agent. We approached the skateboard issue and
she said, “I’m sure it won’t be a problem, but let me ask.” She
headed over to an unsuspecting corner of the lobby where
Draco was amongst a crew of what looked like a circus crew
tweeked out on coffee. To draw it out for you, I think I saw
Captain Ahab from Moby Dick amongst the Draco carny’s.
The oblivious American family sitting on the adjacent couch
had no clue as they appeared to be ready to get out of there as
soon as possible en route to their tourist trap. It truly was a theater of the
absurd. Nilda headed back over and gave us the thumbs up about the
skateboard and beckoned us over to begin the interview. With questions in
one hand a skateboard in the other, we headed into the circus tent.
D.I.M. The first thing we do after an extended stay off island is check the
waves. What’s the first thing Draco does?
DRACO: Same here, I make it a point to check out the ocean and jump in
within 3 hours and usually in Isabela. Then I take time to catch up with friends
and family.
D.I.M. Your new album is being labeled pop by some critics, which is a crime.
How would you describe it?
DRACO: There is really no way to describe it or music genre where it fits.
What kind of music is pop anyway. Everyone has their own perception of
truth. I think the album is total choas. The only person I compete with is me. I
am very unstable emotionally and this has always been both my gift and my
curse.
D.I.M. – Did you do anything different on this album than on previous?
DRACO: This whole journey started out with Italian wines. I love wine and the
first song is Los Vinos, very true to the moment. All 2 inch tapes in the
recording studio were titled Vino, the original name for the album, but after
nighthangs at the studio and one absurd conversation to the next, like; how to
clean up Jobos, relatives passing away, reflections of a young adult, your first
sip of wine, and the reality of religion and its demise, we somehow came up
with the Theater of the Absurd. Inluences for the album came from Bob Dylan,
the Puerto Rican soldier, Don Quijote, and Hurricane Katrina. Happy sick –
even trying to break with the reggaeton beat.
D.I.M. Being in L.A. you must have grown accustomed to our Mexican
brethren and the friendly rivalry amongst Puerto Ricans and Mexicans.
Tamales or pastales?
DRACO: I’ll have to kick it with tamales.
D.I.M. What is the difference between the City of Angels and the Big Apple?
DRACO: The big apple brings up a lot of hectic memories from my late teens,
but I like California, mountains, dessert and ocean. Around every valley is
hope and Florida is too flat, I don’t understand why so many Puertoricans
move there. I dig California because I’m into biking and its perfect, not racing
or anything, but a throw back to inner city freestyle messenger biking.
D.I.M. Who have you met recently that inspired you?
DRACO: Everyone inspires me because everyone is interesting regardless of
their political views. I love to exchange ideas with individuals; groups who think
the same create cohesion.
D.I.M. Your thoughts on the local music scene?
DRACO: Local music scene is great. There’s nothing better than people
getting together and dancing enjoying music. My respect to all.
D.I.M. Have you found DownIsland in Hollywood yet?
DRACO: Who?
D.I.M. Just checking.
D.I.M. Local citizens here in Puerto Rico are beginning to feel claustrophobic
amongst developers. What advice do you have for the brave citizens trying to
conserve the islands natural resources and what are your thoughts on the
issue?
DRACO: I think its disgusting the exchange of dirty money. I think whats
happening in Pinones, Luquillo and Isabela is a tragedy. The government
should blow up all of these crooked projects. Instead of building new, they
should be focused on restoring all of the old beautiful abandoned buildings on
the island. We need a hard line government here that’s going to stop this.
One Liners
D.I.M. Beach or the mountains?
DRACO: That’s too difficult. I cant choose, I want a beach house in the
mountains.
D.I.M. Sushi or steak?
DRACO: Sushi definitely
D.I.M. Exercise?
DRACO: I enjoy riding my bike and also jogging, I enjoy running.
D.I.M. Blondes or Brunettes?
DRACO: Beaches and mountains
D.I.M. How do you roll? Solo or with an entourage.
DRACO: Do you mean like Paris Hilton? I’ve seen her entourage and it’s a
scene. I prefer to roll solo, no security, I just embrace the world and kick it.
D.I.M. Get up early or sleep in?
DRACO: Up early. I always get up around 8 a.m. I make it a point to take a
short nap in the hammock during the afternoon.
D.I.M. Thanks to.
DRACO: You guys man for providing this opportunity.
D.I.M. Hey DRACO, we were wondering if you would skate around in the
parking lot with this skateboard for a photo op.
DRACO: Hell yea! What do you have? A long board? Do you have a short
board? I can rip out some tricks if you do. No? well, it will do. Lets go tear up
the Ritz.
D.I.M. And that he did. In boots.
(Photos by Milton Quintero D.I.M.)
