In a city known for housing punk’s grittier side and echoes of ‘90s underground scenes, Tú La Llevas slips in, bold with Mediterranean style yet blunt with the spirit of Hamburg’s streets. Antonio, Nicola, and Chris are embodying the patchwork of their experiences — Spanish, Italian, and Greek — through each of their heartfelt, gritty sounding tracks.
Their self-titled debut, dropped October 18, 2024 via My Ruin (DE) and Suenafuerte (ES) labels.
“We are three Mediterranean expats living in Hamburg,” Antonio, the band’s Spanish vocalist and guitarist, explains. “I, from Cádiz, conquered Nicola’s (bass, Bari, Italy) grindcore heart by wearing a Spazz shirt in a bar. Years later, Chris (drums, from Athens) was headbanging his long hair on my face at a Melvins show. We’ve been playing together since 2017, but things only kicked into high gear in 2024.”
Tú La Llevas taps into the high-energy pulse of Dinosaur Jr. and Wipers, balanced by a melodic edge that nods to Syd Barrett and Yo La Tengo. The vocals come through in Spanish, adding a layer of earnestness that doesn’t just aim for German or English ears but taps into a universal organic sound.
Their live schedule over the next few months will see them crisscrossing Germany’s stages, with plans to bring their Mediterranean indie-punk flavor to Spain and Italy in 2025. This cross-border energy is no side effect — it’s the heart of the project.
Each member pulls influences from corners of the scene both local and international.
Fun Total, a post-punk band where Nicola plays drums.
The Secret Society, an indie-rock legend from Madrid, now relocated to Hamburg.
Grüner Star, NIcola’s favourite Hamburger Schule (Hamburg answer to the Dunnedin sound) band.
psyche 16: punk with a touch of 90s Olympia, WA bands.
The band’s individual tastes further reveal the range behind their sound:
Antonio is all for the depth of Geese’s “Alive and In Person,” noting how their 2023 album “3D Country” bridges the studio and stage effortlessly.
He’s also drawn to Gorka Urbizu’s “Hasiera Bat” for its exploration of smooth pop in Basque.
Also, Tati Falco’s single “Ruta,” which Antonio finds especially resonant within Latin American soundscapes.
Nicola finds power in choruses that aren’t polished to perfection, with Vilma’s “Viva il male” tapping into that raw sing-along quality.
He’s a supporter of Comic Sans’ Ojalá fuera mi cumpleaños, a Midwest emo nod that he feels should “never die,” and Praise’s EP “coming back for air,” which rekindles the revolution summer spirit in ways that are rarely seen today.
Chris lists Melts’ “Field Theory,” The Mesthetics and James Brandon Lewis, and Rick Ruth’s “Water Still Flows” as favorites, rounding out the trio’s influences with textures that challenge and intrigue.
Tú La Llevas has found a middle ground between home and Hamburg, between punk’s frenetic pace and indie’s rougher melodies, and in the mix, they’ve created something that doesn’t need to be loudly profound to be worth hearing.
A perfect fit for our catalogue here on IDIOTEQ.
