It all started with an email from Roberto Sánchez, vocalist and guitarist of Jardín Animal, reaching out to us from Managua, Nicaragua. He was introducing the band’s latest single, “Dieciséis,” and asking for support for his band.
In a country where Midwest Emo and Shoegaze are nearly unheard of, Jardín Animal is forging a new path in the Nicaraguan music scene, creating music that stands out for its honesty and emotional depth.
“Most of us have been playing punk or indie for years, and we wanted to create something completely new and different in Nicaragua.” – comments the band.
“That’s where the idea came from—to explore genres and sounds we loved but that weren’t yet represented in the Nicaraguan scene. We believed it was important to bring fresh and honest sounds to a country that has always lagged behind culturally when it comes to rock and music.”
Coming up as a preview of their second release, their latest single “Dieciséis” explores the feeling of being stuck in adulthood while still carrying the weight of the past.
Jardín Animal, formed in 2021, blends Midwest Emo, Math Rock, and post-rock influences, with a style they describe as “sad music to feel happy.”
Their first EP, Girasol, released in 2022, was recorded in Roberto’s room and mixed by Thomas Gillmore in California. The EP set the tone for the band’s sound, with instrumental tracks and heartfelt vocals drawing from 90s emo and punk.
The band shared their full track by track commentary for the EP (you can find it below), but also highlighted a few of the underground bands from Nicaragua and Spanish speaking countries that have inspired them.
Check out their picks below.
Jardín Animal’s top under the radar bands from Nicaragua and other Spanish speaking countries:
Televiser
A Nicaraguan post-rock/math rock band. Pioneers of the genre in their country, they have released three EPs. They have been a significant inspiration to us, not only for their music but also as an example of how new and different sounds can thrive in any environment.
Q69K
One of the most iconic Nicaraguan punk bands. They have been playing for over 15 years, proving that the raw energy of punk can transcend time and remain relevant.
Nogato
A standout from Spain’s emerging emo scene. Their fresh sound captivated us immediately. We felt a strong connection hearing a band in our language explore themes similar to those we aim to express.
Adios Cometa
One of our favorite bands from Costa Rica. We had the chance to play with them in San José this year, and we were impressed by the thriving independent and alternative scene they’ve built in a country so close to ours.
Trofeos y Logros
A Guatemalan band that blends shoegaze, dream pop, and emo. They offer a unique proposal within Central America, creating innovative and distinct sounds.
Rexurgir
Rexurgir is a Hardcore Punk/Youthcrew band formed in 2017 in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua.
As one of the longest-running bands in this emerging scene, they are a leading representative of their small but dedicated musical community. With two EPs already released and a third on the way, Rexurgir has paved their own path in this underground genre, reaching significant milestones like producing music videos, live sessions, regular merch drops, releasing physical formats, and even embarking on international tours.
These tours have taken them to Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, all while proudly upholding the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) ethos.
Jardín Animal spoke with their vocalist, Martín Rodríguez, about the musical landscape in Nicaragua, the challenges of creating music there, and particularly the difficulties of working within such a niche genre.
What does it feel like to be a Hardcore Punk band in Nicaragua’s music scene?
Being in a hardcore band here is different from any other type of band. It tests your patience because you know there’s no external support—just the support of your bandmates. DIY and self-management teach us every day how to release better songs, produce stronger recordings, and make the most out of every concert opportunity. Although external support, like local media coverage or sponsorships, is basically non-existent, we know that if we don’t do it ourselves, no one else will.
What adversities and limitations do you face in creating music in Nicaragua?
Nicaragua is a small country with a constantly evolving cultural landscape. The number of people who actively listen to music and treat it as something to consume is much smaller compared to other countries, especially when it comes to local music. In general, low demand leads to low supply, not just in music production but in everything that surrounds it—like production companies, concert venues, and music equipment stores. So the experience for both the musician and the listener is limited. Public engagement is our biggest challenge. Our focus is on activating and sustaining the process of creating and consuming local music.
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What is the local Punk scene like?
The punk and hardcore scene in Nicaragua is very small. It’s a genre that has mostly fallen out of fashion here, and due to cultural factors, very few people listen to it anymore. The media tends to promote other trendier genres. But despite its size, the scene is incredibly united, and each concert is filled with energy that spreads to everyone in the room. It’s a growing scene, even though concerts are few and far between.
What was the main purpose behind forming Rexurgir?
More than a need, it’s a passion that keeps the flame of hardcore and punk alive for us. It’s something we live every day, and it’s part of who we are, even though many people don’t share it or even know about it. We formed Rexurgir to keep alive something we believe in, for the few who still believe in this.
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What stands out to you about other Nicaraguan bands?
We admire their mentality—they keep making music, even when we don’t have ideal conditions for concerts or enough venues. Continuing to make music, even when rock gets little to no support from the media or the general public, is a testament to the passion we all share. In a country with economic limitations and cultural barriers, bands still strive to make music, record albums, and play live shows.
Girasol track by track commentary:
1. La Fuente del Optimismo.
It’s a typical Midwest Emo song, featuring a tapping guitar with a catchy riff and several sound passages that blend math rock and post-rock. It has an outro in 7/8 that makes us dance like nerds every time we hear it. The song talks about the search for optimism and hope, even when things seem lost. It’s a small motivational anthem that has accompanied us since our beginnings.
2.Melodías felices (de una canción triste)
“Happy Melodies of a Sad Song.” A fan favorite at our concerts, it’s a bittersweet song that many people have connected with. It was the last song we made for the EP, and although its lyrics and message are simple, it has touched the hearts of everyone who misses a loved one and the everyday things they shared, like their laugh, their look, and their smile. It has a Pop Punk vibe but quickly shifts into ambient arpeggios and delays that build up little by little.
3. Señor Tormenta
The mosh pit song. We were listening to a lot of third-wave emo when we wrote this one, aiming to create something full of energy without overdoing it. Ironically, it’s a love song, but with sections that shift between 4/4 and 3/4 time signatures, it feels more like a party—which we think is part of love.
4. La Grulla
One of our first songs. Influenced by Mexican bands like Austin TV and Vicente Gayo, we wanted to create a danceable instrumental track with a touch of modern Emo. It’s composed of several riff-based sections that build up to an ambient outro filled with delay. It also includes a sample from the Latin dub of The Karate Kid, talking about the balance one must have in life. It’s the favorite song of those who follow us and are more into math rock and post-rock.
5. Bangladesh
“Bangladesh” is an anthem of resilience. Often, the first step to solving a problem is admitting we have one, and “Bangladesh” celebrates that realization. It features vocal harmonies that resonate strongly with the audience, and it feels great to reach the chorus after an instrumental intro, knowing we’re all going to sing and shout, letting it all out. It’s a simple ballad of delay-laden guitars and melodic voices that carry this message.
6. Delorean
“Delorean” was the band’s first song. Originally, the plan was to be an instrumental band, but over time, things took a different direction. Only a couple of those original songs survived the transition, and “Delorean” is one of them. It was our first moment of synergy as a band, and while it may be one of the simplest and flattest tracks on the EP, we hold it with love.
