Chilean-born, Brooklyn-based artist, THEKOIWAY, recently released a new single and music video, "El Juego de la Vida (The Game of Life)." Both the message behind the single and theme of the music video are deeply impactful, with THEKOIWAY hoping to encourage further discussions about diversity. As they compare navigating life to the likes of playing a game, they highlight how it's a game without rules, where the odds are stacked against us. We're all fighting against the systems and structures that have been put in place, often without our consent, making it feel like we're playing with invisible forces working against us. The challenge isn't just about winning or losing, but about trying to outsmart a system designed to limit our freedom and choice.

This message is amplified with the cinematic music video featuring National Arts Prize winner Héctor Noguera, where we see two people experiencing the roller coaster of life and trying to stand up for their true identity.

With an underlying theme of going against the grain, sonically “El Juego de la Vida (The Game of Life)" also reflects this. A vibrant concoction of genres, ranging from Motown, soul, funk, hip-hop and rock, it is the perfect example of how beautiful things can be when they aren't confined to categorization and molds.

Variance spoke with frontman Victor Vildósola about the new single, the making of the video and upcoming plans for 2025.

Congratulations on your new single “El Juego de la Vida (The Game of Life)." The single tackles questions about diversity and the complexities of everyday life. What prompted you to focus on these themes for this particular song?

Thanks! "El Juego de la Vida" was born out of reflection, on how life often feels like a game, but one where the rules aren't the same for everyone. It's about resilience, about questioning the systems that shape our paths, and about pushing back against the roles we're assigned.

Diversity is a huge part of that conversation. The song highlights the struggles of those who don't fit into traditional molds, whether due to race, gender, identity, or socio-economic background. Musically, we wanted that to be reflected too, blending Motown soul, funk, Latin grooves, hip-hop, and rock into something that feels both timeless and fresh.

You've mentioned that the song is a "cry for diversity" and a challenge to societal norms. What kind of conversations do you hope to inspire with this track?

I want people to question the structures we exist in. Who made the rules? Why are certain people excluded? Why do some of us have to fight twice as hard just to be heard? The song isn't about giving easy answers, it's about sparking dialogue, creating space for those conversations, and reminding people that they have a voice.

Beyond that, I just want people to feel something. Whether it makes you reflect, feel empowered, or just want to move, if it resonates with you in any way, then we've done our job.

Your background spans Chile, Mexico City, and Brooklyn, each with its own rich musical history. How have these different places influenced the evolution of THEKOIWAY's music?

Big time. Growing up in Chile, I was surrounded by folk, protest music, and Andean sounds, music with a message. Then moving to Mexico City, I was thrown into this massive cultural hub where rock, cumbia, and hip-hop all collide in the most raw, electric way. And finally, landing in Brooklyn, where everything is a melting pot, hip-hop, jazz, soul, electronic music, you name it.

All of that shaped THEKOIWAY's sound. We're not interested in fitting into a single genre. It's about blending influences and creating something that feels authentic but isn't tied to just one place or sound.

Tell us more about the music video, the concept behind it, and the recording process.

The video expands on the song's message, it's about life's unpredictability, about fighting for your identity, and about the roles society forces us into. We took a cinematic approach, weaving in elements of theater, movement, and visual symbolism to drive the narrative home.

It also tackles LGBTQ+ themes, societal expectations, and personal liberation, reinforcing the idea that we all have the right to define our own existence. We didn't want a straightforward performance video, we wanted something that would stick with you, something layered with meaning.

The recording process was intense, but everything aligned beautifully. We had an incredible cast and crew who brought this vision to life in ways that exceeded expectations.

The participation of Héctor Noguera, an iconic actor, in the music video brings a unique element to the project. Can you talk about how he became involved and what it was like working with him?

Having Héctor Noguera in "El Juego de la Vida" was an incredible honor. He's a National Arts Prize winner, a legend in Chilean theater, film, and television, and one of the country's most respected actors. His ability to command presence with subtlety and depth added a powerful weight to the video that we couldn't have achieved otherwise.

This collaboration was made possible by my manager, Carolina Cabezas, who had worked with Héctor on multiple projects before. Thanks to that connection, we were able to present the concept to him, and once he understood the video's themes, identity, societal expectations, and personal liberation, he fully embraced it.

Working with Héctor was inspiring. He's incredibly precise, present, and generous, bringing a lifetime of experience into every scene. Alongside Elvis Fuentes and Francisco "Paco" López, who delivered equally intense performances, the video took on a cinematic and emotional depth that made it much more than just a visual accompaniment to the song.

In the end, this project was about telling a story that resonates, that lingers, and Héctor's presence made that possible.

Not only have you released “El Juego de la Vida" in an English version, but there are also multiple different remixes. What was it about “El Juego de la Vida" that made you want to release 11 different versions of it?

We always felt that "El Juego de la Vida" had the kind of groove and message that could take on different shapes, so it just made sense to let it breathe in multiple versions. The English version wasn't just about translation, it was about making sure the feeling and meaning still hit the same way, so we adapted the lyrics in a way that felt natural and true to the song's essence.

Then we had these incredible producers come in and put their own spin on it. Dough Juan took it straight to that classic NYC boom-bap world, giving it a raw, head-nodding, street-level energy. Jerumatic, on the other hand, flipped it into a massive EDM experience, with deep, cinematic synths and a breakbeat pulse that completely transformed the vibe.

Each remix gave the song a new personality, and that's what we love about music, it evolves, it adapts, and it connects with people in different ways. It's been amazing to hear these different interpretations and see how "El Juego de la Vida" can exist in so many sonic spaces.

What's next for THEKOIWAY?

A lot. We're releasing a couple more singles in the next few months, leading up to our first full-length LP El Camino, dropping in the third quarter of 2025.

We're also working on live performances, starting with NYC showcases and looking at festival opportunities. Our live shows aren't just about playing music, they're immersive experiences with visual projections, theatrical elements, and storytelling woven into the performance.

Beyond that, there are some exciting collaborations on the horizon, and we're always evolving. THEKOIWAY isn't just a band, it's a movement, and we're only getting started.

Stay tuned, more to come.