On January 18 2025, I spent the day in Terrassa with Fastloud, a band I don’t just photograph—I know them. We’ve shared vans, stages, breakdowns, and cheap breakfasts across Europe. Their 2023 tour was their first outside Spain, and I was there to document it. (I’ve written about that trip here). So showing up at Em Estudi to watch them start their new recordings felt like stepping back into something familiar, but with a different kind of energy.
Getting to Work (Without the Gloss)
The day started slow, like all honest sessions do—drum tuning, mic tests, coffee. No producers in sunglasses, no fake studio hype. Just four people who’ve played a lot together trying to capture what comes next.
After lunch, they got into it. Two songs tracked on drums. No rush, no overproduction. Just intention. I’ve seen them on stage in squats and clubs, but watching them lay this down felt different—like the beginning of a new cycle.
Victor, the drummer, was pushing through some brutal neck pain that day, but still gave everything to make sure the takes were solid
It helped that Xavi, the owner of the studio, knows exactly what it means to be behind the kit. He’s played in bands like Anti-Patiks, Violets, and a bunch more over the years—so he wasn’t just hitting record, he was tuned in to every detail. Between takes, he’d offer small tips, encouragement, or just the right words to push Victor a little further without adding pressure. You could tell it made a difference.
Drummer to drummer,
they spoke the same language, and that connection helped Victor power through the pain and find his groove.
The Quiet Work Between Takes
While Victor worked through his takes in the live room, the rest of the band stayed close in the mixing room. There’s a particular kind of energy in those in-between moments—waiting, listening, half-nervous, half-focused. They weren’t just killing time. One would quietly plug in a bass and go over parts already drilled at home, another would rehearse vocal lines under their breath or fiddle with a guitar unplugged. They paid close attention to the drum recordings too, catching little details, imagining how their own parts would sit on top. It’s a kind of quiet coordination—everyone preparing, observing, syncing up mentally before stepping in themselves.
Why It Matters
Spending time with a band you’ve lived adventures with—touring in beat-up vans, solving problems with duct tape and jokes—makes sessions like this mean more. You’re not just pointing a camera. You’re witnessing a new version of something you’ve already believed in.
From Studio to Speakers: Rice Again Is Out Now
Their album Rice Again is already out, and it captures the raw energy and evolution hinted at during those early recording days. Below you’ll find two videos from the album—A New Disease and The Ogre—both released as singles ahead of the full launch. The record, released via Morning Wood Records, is a fast, melodic, and politically charged collection that blends classic skate punk with a fresh urgency. Produced by Asaf Morad (The Dopamines, Teen Agers), Rice Again is a big step forward for Fastloud, not just in sound but in message.
Final Thought
Fastloud is still doing things their way: no shortcuts, no compromises, just growth. I’m glad to be around for this new chapter.
More soon.