Music, Pose, & Attitude

Photographs by Sandra Moscardó

Valencia, Spain

On the Southeastern coast of Spain, MADAFAKA & THE TOXIC KIWIS (MDFK) are documenting the underground punk, garage, and metal festivals that dot the area through their media project called “Music, Pose, & Attitude.” Reckless Magazine talked to the photographer and writer duo, Sandra Moscardó and Fran Pons, about their project and how it’s bringing these underground festivals to life.

What is MADAFAKA & The Toxic Kiwis?

MDFK is a way of seeing life, of thinking and acting. It is currently working as a media outlet through "Music, Pose & Attitude", a documentary project that gravitates around small and medium format live music events and the underground social/cultural scene that participates in them.

With a "raw" photographic shots executed from the front line and some reports inspired by Gonzo writing, the main objective is to capture the essence of these encounters: the atmosphere that one breathes, its climax. As a reporter, Fran narrates "the reality" of the events generated by the interaction of the audience, their emotions, energy, speech, pose and attitude.

How did this project begin and how long has it been active?

Madafaka & The Toxic Kiwis was created almost 7 years ago and is directed by Sandra Moscardó and Fran Pons. It is the result of the connection of our personal and professional experiences and interests. We have always cared about what happens around us and offer our vision of things, so MDFK began by creating fanzines, organizing social events and developing our own graphic/photographic work, activities that have always had music as a common thread. Our passion for it and our knowledge in the field of creative direction, sociology and communication have been fundamental when approaching "Music, Pose & Attitude", a documentary project in which we have been working since 2018 and where our main objective is the public, the soul of the festivals we document. Without them there is no show.

Where are these festivals? Valencia or other places? How do you find out about them?

These festivals are promoted mainly through social networks, concert halls and the social circle that supports and promotes them. They take place in Valencia, Betxí, Campello, Benidorm, Benissa, Gandia, Benicassim and many other cities and towns also located throughout the three provinces that make up the Valencian Community: Alicante, Castellón and Valencia.

Is there a great rock/punk/garage/metal scene in Valencia? What is it like?

We would say that there are always movements underlying "mainstream" music, although we don't know if it is appropriate to call it a scene because we are talking about minority and atomized musical styles. What there is no doubt about is that there is a great desire to do things, to promote festivals, discover local and national bands and even make the effort to sign international bands. There is a great community feeling and you can see it in the personal and professional relationships of musicians, groups, organizers, independent media, specialized venues, public... What is clear is the solidity, quality and professionalism of the proposals.

What were your favorite festivals you covered and why?

We always look for festivals that seduce us because they have an interesting line-up and their own personality. For us, each one of them is special in its own way, and they show it. So far we have enjoyed many experiences and we try to transmit that. One week you can be at a festival held in a village set in the wild west and the next week at a party with a DIY philosophy. But if we had to say which are our favorites, without a doubt they are those in which we feel the closeness and complicity with the organizers and the public. We have met some great people.

Why is this project important?

Mainly because it is a vital project in continuous growth that talks about music and people. It allows us to develop on a personal, professional and social level: traveling, getting to know other places, being in contact with people, their motivations, how they express themselves, how they dress, how they feel about music. It also gives us the opportunity to research in other fields such as photography, writing and thus develop our professions from another perspective. It lets us be as we are, looking for diversity, social, cultural and musical actuality. To leave a mark in our own way, creating testimony of what is happening today in these festivals and immortalizing their protagonists, whether individuals or groups. MDFK WAS HERE! GRRR!