A Dirty Dozen with CRISTÓBAL MARTE from KRÖNA – May 2025

According to a recent press release: “Kröna is a dynamic punk-rock trio that fuses hardcore urgency and reggae grooves with a distinctive Caribbean flair. Originally hailing from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and now based in Miami, Florida, Kröna brings an unmistakable island influence to their sound—one that sets them apart in the global punk landscape. Formed in April 2024, Kröna unites longtime collaborators Cristóbal and JP — friends since high school who first cut their teeth in the fiercely independent DIY outfit ESPÉRICLES—with powerhouse drummer Chino (also of Zeta). After ESPÉRICLES went on hiatus, the duo teamed up with Chino through mutual friends in the Latin-American punk scene, and the chemistry was immediate.” We get Cristóbal to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Take Em’ All is a five-song EP that’ll appear on our debut LP this fall via Merenpón Records. We recorded most tracks in one take, with minimal overdubs, to capture raw energy and the humanity you lose in over-produced music. I love the small mistakes—those little slips become a song’s most memorable moments.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

As a kid in Santo Domingo I devoured rock videos on MTV with my brother. One day I found a three-string guitar at my aunt’s house—when I strummed it, it felt like a supernova exploded in my chest. That instant told me I had to make music.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Too many to name songs! The Decline by NOFX was huge. Anything from So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes. Situational Comedy by Dillinger Four. Year Zero by Nine Inch Nails to name a few. Early on Billy Idol grabbed me; later Duff McKagan’s melodic bass in GN’R showed me that groove could be both simple and unforgettable. I also admire Fat Mike’s inventiveness and Matt Freeman’s precision—and Trent Reznor, whose production and film scores taught me how vast a sonic palette can be.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Trent Reznor—his mastery of sound design and songwriting would be an education in every session.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to decompress and stay fit, then I love nothing more than sinking into silence on the beach. Those quiet moments are gold.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I usually say we’re a mash-up of Motörhead’s grit and Soundgarden’s heft—mostly because it’s an easy shorthand for people who’ve never heard obscure punk. Truth is, I don’t think we sound like either of them; I’d rather they just hear the record. The one comparison that always makes me wince is “surf-punk revival”—there’s nothing laid-back or reverb-soaked about our sound.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

JP is our chef – he’s in charge of meals and any snack runs. I rarely drink but JP loves the sauce! As for acoustic singalongs…let’s just say anyone who tries gets mercilessly roasted until they put the guitar away.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I ran into Lars Frederiksen from Rancid outside a club in Boston. I grew up watching their videos on YouTube—meeting him in person had me stuttering like a total fanboy.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Nothing beats hearing someone sing back lyrics you wrote—it creates an instant bond with strangers. If I ever had to quit music, I’d probably stream on Twitch channel. I spent years streaming WoW, met incredible people, and still think of it as one of the best gigs I’ve had.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Wish they asked: “How did three Caribbean kids from a place with almost no punk scene become so committed to building one?” Answer: We live and breathe this—there’s zero money in Santo Domingo punk, so we run a bi-annual festival just to keep it alive. If we don’t do it, nobody will. Tired of: “Does your name come from the coronavirus?” It actually comes from Crona, a character in the anime Soul Eater.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Joining a band full of toxic, ungrateful people was a huge drain. I poured everything into it and got nothing back. Still, I wouldn’t change it—those lessons led me to people who truly value this life.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

NOFX’s “The Decline.” Its an 18 minute punk opus reshaped my idea of what a song could be—and it literally changed the course of my life.

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Category: Interviews