El Culto Casero has begun 2026 with renewed energy. The Asunción-based indie rock band has released Dormir (To sleep), a new single blending early-2000s indie nostalgia with emotional intensity and pop-driven momentum.
“There was expectation from our audience,” says frontman Franco Ocampo (28). “There is nothing like a release to start the year and break the ice. It felt amazing to begin the year like this.”
Founded in 2015, the band continues refining a sound shaped by heavier guitars, chopped rhythms, and production that prioritises energy over perfection. While inspired by melodic indie acts such as The Drums, the group maintains a distinctly Paraguayan identity.
“We like things to feel alive. Energy comes before correctness. That is what connects people to the music.”
A song about being different
The new song Dormir explores individuality within conservative environments. Ocampo describes the track as intentionally anti-traditional.
“It is about enjoying the moment and allowing yourself to be different. The song creates tension between personal sensitivity and imposed rules.”
The song also carries a message of emotional urgency. “It talks about not wasting time, not staying asleep emotionally, not getting stuck in sadness. It is about going out, staying up until sunrise, sharing that moment with people who feel like your tribe.”
Ocampo sees the track as a coming-of-age message for younger listeners. “I see a lot of kids who listen to what I do, 16 or 17 years old, when you are starting to discover who you are. I wanted to speak to them directly. It is about embracing being a bit strange and being proud of it.”
The music video, directed and edited by @2000cuatrofilmado, was filmed entirely using iPhones and early-2000s digital cameras. The lo-fi visuals reinforce the nostalgic spirit of the song. The single’s cover photograph was taken by Exe, completing the visual concept.
From school rehearsals to national recognition
Ocampo began writing music while still in his final year of school. Finding committed collaborators was difficult at first.
“I was very serious about music, but I could not find people who took it seriously. Most of them were already in their twenties. I was 16 or 17.” He eventually convinced a group of older friends to let him participate in their band. “I told them, ‘Please give me a chance. I have songs, and I am good,’” he says, laughing.
El Culto Casero spent more than a year rehearsing as a band before performing live. “We sharpened our sound for a long time before our first shows. In 2015, we played just three shows.” Momentum slowly built through underground concerts and self-organised events. “Little by little, people started coming who were not our friends. They had discovered us on Spotify.”
A major turning point came in 2019 with the videoclip for Una Ciudad (A city). “It was on television all the time, in high rotation. That is when it started to feel real. I even received my first serious royalties and thought, ‘Wow, this can actually work.’”
Influenced by Paraguay’s rock scene
Ocampo credits Paraguay’s rock movement with shaping his musical identity. “Area 69 really marked me. Seeing bands filling basketball courts made me dream.” He also mentions Ripe Banana Skins, Salamandra, and Kchiporros as early inspirations. “They were all my idols. I went to every concert I could, sometimes even sneaking out.”
Music gradually became his full-time profession. “I used to work in graphic design. One day, I earned more money making music than designing. That is when I quit and committed fully.” Today, he also works as a producer and creative director. “I produce music for other artists and help with visual concepts. I really enjoy building artistic worlds, not just songs.”
Professional growth and international ambitions
Looking ahead, El Culto Casero plans another release later this year as an extension of Mi Verano Oscuro (My Dark Summer), their previous full album. Touring across Paraguay remains a priority, but international expansion is firmly on the agenda. The band has already gained international exposure, having performed in Argentina during Lollapalooza 2024, one of Latin America’s most influential music festivals. The experience reinforced their ambition to expand beyond national borders and strengthen their presence within regional indie circuits.
“We want to tour Mexico. There is definitely an audience there, and culturally it feels close to Paraguay. We want to plant that seed.”
The band also aims to expand beyond underground venues. “I want us to play more public festivals, more regional events, not just bars. That is the next challenge if we want to grow.” Despite the ambition, Ocampo remains grounded. “This career is unstable. I realised I need to be more organised if I really want to live well from music.”
For El Culto Casero, Dormir represents both personal expression and professional evolution. “We are trying to be truly professional now. But without losing honesty. That is the most important thing.”
Listen to El Culto Casero’s latest release on Spotify, YouTube or follow El Culto Casero on Instagram.
