This semester Kaleidoscope Sound will allow the listener to see the variety of shades, silhouettes and shapes the international music scene offers.

The Costa Rican music scene has proclaimed their surf garage-punk rock royalty: Las Robertas.

Who wouldn’t have guessed this tropical paradise could offer a band full of hazy sounds, sun-drenched riffs and amazing hairstyles. With such a unique sound and image, these girls won the attention of not only the local scene but the international community as well, leading them to play in several recognized music festivals like Primavera Sound and SXSW.

Meche (vocals and guitar) and Monse (bass and vocals) met through MySpace circa 2009. Later on they met Lola (former vocalist), giving birth to the project. As soon as Franco (former drummer) joined the premature idea, Las Robertas were ready to start changing and revolutionizing the Costa Rican music scene.

With a DIY mentality, Las Robertas released their first LP Cry out Loud, under Automata Records, back in May 2010. Their current drummer, Fabrizio Duran, and Lola, designed their own cover art.

This LP became a groundbreaking hit, appealing to several Californian labels. Two years later, they released a worth the wait EP, Dissected Affair, under Art Fag Recording (Best Coast, Bleached, Crocodiles). They even covered a Beat Happening classic: “Foggy Eyes‰Û, in which they proved why they consider this ’80s band a musical hero. With punchy drum work and magnetic vocals, the Costa Rican band was able to transport the listener to the Californian coast during the ’60s.

Sometimes I look back to the day I started listening to Las Robertas and remember that since then I‰’ve not only learned to appreciate this enchanting genre, but I was also able to see the great potential of my country‰’s music scene. Since then, they‰’ve been trying to import all the international music culture into the Costa Rican arts community.

Last week they even brought Mexico‰’s latest garage rock hit, Los Blenders. Both of bands toured several stops in downtown San Jose with Costa Rica‰’s revelation band of 2k12: Ave Negra. Next month Las Robertas will start their spring tour 2013, playing for their second time at SXSW and NRMAL.

With such a unique sound — often compared to Dum Dum Girls, Vivian Girls and The Breeders — they‰’ll keep enchanting a sonic population with their fuzzy guitars and chill attitude.

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