Two Projects at Hot Milk Studio
The first self-titled Wuahache Collective EP was recorded at Hot Milk Studio and released in July 2025, featuring Chilean mandolin virtuoso Antonio Restucci as a special guest. A new album was subsequently recorded in 2025, with violinist Víctor Bustamante joining the ensemble.
Designing the Recording Space
The sessions were approached as a live ensemble recording, with the musicians positioned throughout the studio to maintain direct visual contact while allowing each instrument to retain its own acoustic space.
Drums and Percussion
Luis Barrueto played a Ludwig Club Date jazz kit in the drum room, with sightlines into both the main room and isolation booth. For several pieces, the floor tom was replaced by a Chilean bombo legüero, while cajón was recorded as an additional overdub.
Guitars, Cuatro and Mandolin
Rodrigo Santa María played nylon-string and steel-string guitars and cuatro in the main room, surrounded by the other musicians. Antonio Restucci was positioned nearby for his mandolin parts, with a gobo providing some separation without compromising the visual connection between the players.
Double Bass
Double-bassist Igor Spallati also remained in the main room throughout the session, with direct sightlines to Barrueto and the other musicians. A gobo provided additional acoustic separation between the bass and the other string instruments.
Electric and Nylon Guitar
Eric Trejo's setup changed according to the instrument. His nylon-guitar parts were recorded in the main room as part of the ensemble, while his electric-guitar parts were recorded from the control room, allowing him to work at a higher volume without excessive spill into the acoustic instruments.
Flute and Quena
Flutist Ernesto Villalobos generally performed from the isolation booth, maintaining eye contact with the ensemble. The quena, however, presented a different challenge. Its distinctive South American folk character benefited considerably from the lively acoustic of the main room, so the quena parts were recorded there as overdubs.
Track Listing
The self-titled Wuahache Collective EP (2025) comprises six pieces: La Reptiliana · Costa Chica · Willka · Rumba Bossa · Luz de Abril · Camara Primo.
The Result
The result is a recording that preserves the interaction and spontaneity of a live ensemble while making use of Hot Milk Studio's different acoustic spaces to accommodate a remarkably diverse range of instruments. From nylon-string guitars, cuatro and mandolin to bombo legüero, cajón, quena and electric guitar, the sessions demonstrated the value of having musicians play together in a flexible acoustic environment — with enough separation for clarity, but never at the expense of musical communication.
