Trio Mex the breakthrough

Band co-founder Bernardo Castilla talks of the inspiration Scotland has had on his music

A NEW Mexican band is taking the world by storm – but its roots are in Scotland.

Mexican Bernardo Castilla was a drama student in Glasgow writing songs in his flat when he took a trip to see his pal Lorenzo Engell in Barcelona.

After a few beers, they started jamming and Glass Cristina was born – named after the places they were living: Glass for Glasgow and Cristina after the road Lorenzo was staying, Carrer de la Reina Cristina.

Adding Enzo Aquino the trio are the first band to be signed to Vegan Canibal, an offshoot of renowned record label Blanco y Negro, Spain’s most successful independent record label, with over 30 years of success promoting the likes of Moby, Carl Cox and Sven Vath.

The group release their debut album, Nudity in May.

Bernardo talks us through the group’s Scots DNA. You were studying to be an actor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow from 2015-2018 but also writing songs. What did you think of the city?

I arrived in Glasgow during the referendum in 2014. I got a one-bedroom flat next to

George Square, on South Frederick Street, and a revolution was happening a block away from me. I put myself amid thousands of angry Scots who smiled through their plastic Guy Fawkes masks and amid the English nationalists who were overjoyed about the result of the referendum.

Clearly, I was just observing it unfold, not taking any sides. But it was the beginning of my three years in Scotland and it was memorable. How did you find living in Scotland? I really enjoyed Burns nights. Kilt-shouting, knife-holdingnights. Dancing all night.

That night will always have a special place in my heart.

There is a pub next to where I studied called Jackson’s. There is a song called Neon Lights from the first EP of

Glass Cristina and on the last verse it says: “We can’t dispatch this winter-madness and after, when the morning rises, I’ll be drinking Jacksons”.

That sparks memories of Glasgow and that bar on the corner of Cambridge Street. Did you learn to speak English in Glasgow? Your vocals have a Scots burr to them.

I’ll take that as a top -shelf compliment, like a good Scottish whisky.

I am privileged to say a lot of my core is from Scotland.

I was taught drama by Scottish people, I’ve shared the stage countless times with insanely-talented Scottish actors and been directed by top theatre Scots directors.

I’ve been on insane nights out with people from Glasgow, for three years in a row. Trust me, that sticks in you. I miss it every day and I carry it with me into every project I do. Any Scottish music influences in the songs? Definitely Paolo Nutini. His third album Caustic Love was a permanent soundtrack of mine in Scotland. I actually saw him twice in a pub of mine while living there.

Chvrches is another band we appreciate a lot. Their electronic sound has been an inspiration while writing. And how can you not mention Franz Ferdinand? Seen them live twice. The way lead singer Alex gets the whole crowd jumping up and down for more than 50 minutes straight is something to look up to. You are now based in Mexico but are you hoping to come back to Scotland? I can’t wait to come back. I have so many friends working there on a lot of exciting projects and we stay in touch all the time. I love that place and soon enough we’ll have a pint together.

They also know what I’m up to and cheer on the band a lot,