MONTECARLO

La Pequeña Suiza emerged from Pamplona’s DIY scene in mid-1997 when guitarist Nacho began sharing his riff-driven pop demos with drummer-turned-bassist Jaime. That winter they added Laura on keyboards and vocals, and in December recorded their first lo-fi tape, LaPequeñasuiza canta en español, in Nacho’s bedroom. Despite being entirely instrumental—owing to a lack of microphones—it captured attention on Radio 3’s Diario Pop and Viaje a los Sueños Polares. Early 1998 saw the arrival of Fernando on drums and the four-track rehearsal demo De vacaciones con LaPequeñaSuiza, which showcased newfound rhythmic finesse and drum-machine grooves. By October they debuted live at Madrid’s Sala Maravillas. February 1999 brought a high-energy set at Siroco with Vacaciones and in spring they released their first Elefant single, “Canta en Español,” on green-vinyl 7″ and CD, earning cult status in Spain and Japan. Their 2000 Simpático EP—five songs recorded at Carlos Torero’s Rock Soul Studios—marked the first time Laura and Nacho’s voices featured, including the bonus track “Viviendo en los noventa,” already a favorite on Verano del 99 and Rock de Lux year-end lists. They supported Stereototal in Madrid and Barcelona (March 2000), Nosoträsh in April, and appeared on Radio 3’s live sessions and TVE2’s La 2. In 2001 their track “Pontevedra” joined Shellife’s US Picnic Basket compilation before the group amicably disbanded—leaving a brief but brilliant legacy of Spanish indie-pop innovation.