”Music’s role depends on the listener: some use it as a pleasant escape, others seek deep communion. For us, it’s a ritual of unity, love, and liberation.”

Carlos Elliot: Pan-American Soul Boogie

From the heights of the Colombian Andes to the depths of the Mississippi Delta, Carlos Elliot has forged a universal sound that merges the indigenous and African roots of blues with the raw power of rock, carvings its way through on the global music scene. From this explosive fusion, where guitars howl like coyotes shaking the night and drumbeats pound like a galloping heart, an electric atmosphere emerges that envelops every soul in a unified dance. Pioneer of Hill Country Blues in Latin America, Carlos Elliot has taken its infectious groove to stages in 16 countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Forged in the cradle of the blues, for over 15 years has been embraced by the local scene, connecting with legends like James T-Model Ford, Big Jack Johnson, and RL Boyce, among others.

(Carlos Elliot, Bobby Gentilo and Edu Oviedo / Photo by Billy B Morris)

From their beginnings in Mississippi clubs to major world stages, their unique ever-evolving sound, and their songs in both English and Spanish, have become a declaration that champions unity and liberation, crossing borders, and inspiring a cultural movement that resonates with rock enthusiasts, fresh waves of indie and world music fans. Carlos Elliot with Bobby Gentilo and Edu Oviedo the trio continues to perform on global stages their most recent, fifth album, «Soul Boogie” (2025), which showcases their artistic growth and ability to fuse diverse musical styles in a universal sound that bridges cultures, generations, and continents. Experience the hypnotic Hill Country Blues fusion of Carlos Elliot—a sound that blends Mississippi roots, tribal grooves, and electrifying energy.

Interview by Michael Limnios                     Archive: Carlos Elliot, 2016 interview

How has Blues music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

For us, the Blues is far more than a genre—it’s a mirror to the human soul. Exploring its depths has taught us to see the world as a tapestry woven from Native American, African, and European strands—much like the rich fusion of Cumbia in Colombia. In every note and moan, we hear ancestral stories, spiritual quests, and collective realities brought to life through songs. That insight shapes both our lives and our music, turning each performance into a ritual—a living dialogue between cultures and hearts.

How do you think you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

From day one, mastering the Blues felt like learning a second language—raw, primal, and untamed. That fierce authenticity has never changed. What has evolved is our willingness to push boundaries: blending uncharted fusions, unexpected rhythms, and fresh textures. Those experiments keep our creative spark alive and surprise both us and our audience who eagerly await our next adventure.

”For us, the Blues is far more than a genre—it’s a mirror to the human soul. Exploring its depths has taught us to see the world as a tapestry woven from Native American, African, and European strands—much like the rich fusion of Cumbia in Colombia.” (Photo: Carlos Elliot)

Currently you’ve released a new Blues album, Soul Boogie. How did your relationship with the Blues come about? Any interesting stories about making the album?

On Soul Boogie, our recently released fifth album, Bobby, Edu, and I channeled messages from the universe in communion with nature—only afterward realizing powerful, coded themes had been woven into its very fabric. We open with “Rattle Snake,” a hypnotic dance between light and darkness—an audiovisual ritual meant to be both seen and heard. That same alchemy resurfaces in “Cielo” and “Apache Renegade,” tracks whose hidden concepts and meanings only revealed themselves over time. Though the Blues found us early, speaking directly to our souls, Soul Boogie shows how that bond continues to define and inspire our journey.

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on your musical path? What obstacles have you overcome, and how have they made you a better Blues musician?

As independent artists, one of our greatest strengths has been navigating the industry’s cracks by forging collaborative alliances and community-driven projects—an approach rooted in solidarity rather than competition. Facing self-doubt, tight budgets, and shifting trends has only sharpened our resilience, transforming every obstacle into fuel for deeper, more authentic expression.

What’s the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotion? Why is it important to preserve and spread the Blues?

Soul and skill go hand in hand in every artistic endeavor: technical mastery provides the precision to shape ideas, while emotion fills the vessel. Much of that emotion, for us, flows from what we've learned from the keepers of ancestral, hypnotic grooves—those timeless rhythms that carry spirit, memory, and movement across generations. The Blues itself is an essential ingredient in the recipe of modern music. Rather than preserve it like a museum piece, we champion it as a living tradition—one that nourishes hearts and forges connections wherever it resonates.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

Our music breathes in every venue—from underground clubs to open-air festivals. We test new material live, adapt to each crowd, and let real human energy guide us. That bond transcends age, gender, and background: when our message and electricity align, young listeners become lifelong fans.

”Soul and skill go hand in hand in every artistic endeavor: technical mastery provides the precision to shape ideas, while emotion fills the vessel.”

(Carlos Elliot, Bobby Gentilo and Edu Oviedo, from the heights of the Colombian Andes to the depths of the Mississippi Delta / Photo by Billy B Morris)

What is the role of music in today’s society? Is there a message you are trying to convey with your music?

Music’s role depends on the listener: some use it as a pleasant escape, others seek deep communion. For us, it’s a ritual of unity, love, and liberation. We aim to channel uplifting messages that stir the soul, remind people of our shared humanity and, celebrate the power of collective joy.

Soul Boogie is good for your soul and your dancing feet! Available now for the world to enjoy it. We're Catching The Dream—May It Spark A Wild Electric Fire Within Your Soul.

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