Antonio Arias is a musician and singer from the Spanish alternative music scene. At the age of sixteen, he joined the band 091, he later became a member of Lagartija Nick and developed several solo projects. Throughout his career, he has released more than twenty-five albums. In May 2026, Mawlid – Mapa del trance was released, a project he had been developing since 2018 together with Moncho Rodríguez. The album is the result of several years of exploration of Moroccan Gnawa music, a tradition that has inspired and fascinated creators such as Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, and Brian Jones.
Antonio Arias: vocals and gimbri
Moncho Rodríguez: vocals and mandola
Zeke Olmo: drums and percussion
Arafa Chaara: vocals and guembri
Mouhamed Channa: vocals and qraqeb
Laarbi Laaroussi: vocals and qraqeb
Speaking about ANTONIO ARIAS is as difficult as it is moving. It is hard to summarise the career of a musician who has influenced entire generations and who took part in one of the most important albums of my life: Omega (El Europeo, 1996), by Enrique Morente.
An essential member of 091 and the founder of Lagartija Nick, Arias is one of the most influential figures in Spanish music over the last forty years. His artistic vision, always restless and courageous, has left its mark on countless bands and musicians who have grown up listening to him and learning from his unique way of understanding music and free-spirited rock.
Oscar D’Aniello
Musician, Delafé y Las Flores Azules