Human beings are practical. Life is hard, that's just how it is. Romantics and those devoted to art are usually seen as the "space cadets" who will never achieve anything more than dreaming. It's true: the vast majority of extraordinary talents end up by the wayside, wasting their creative magic in poorly paid dives. Very few manage to have their love of sensitivity provide them with shelter and food. Marketing tends to crush dreams. Our guest today turns this concept on its head. Fortunately, in his band talent and passion prevail. This time it's the commercial strategies that hit the canvas, even though they help.
The professionals of "selling music" (not the musicians, whom they need, by the way) usually think, and show it in their actions, that a good formula for finding their bestsellers is to put someone in the spotlight who looks the part, even if they can't do anything. No track record or career. "Neither here nor there." Someone who looks good on camera, who dances and moves on stage (even if the artist hates it), who lets themselves be manipulated by well-paid stylists. In short, someone who suppresses their artistic personality to become a sales puppet. If they can't play, or have nothing inside to say... it doesn't matter... what counts is that they look like they do.
Fortunately, sometimes things like this happen. Passion and true artists, with a capital A, crush the strategists. No doubt business support and the backing of good professionals will help the art sell. But in this case, as it should be, the essential foundation that gives the "product" its power isn't makeup; it's the creative essence and the reality of the songs. You can clearly tell that at least one member of this group brings slow-cooked know-how to the band's sound.
Love crushes mathematics. These are the facts that make us believe again in art and its power to communicate. Our best wishes to Nena Daconte. We applaud your personality and musical sincerity.
Talent scouts, producers and showmen who look for an easy wink at the cameras to fool the masses could take note of this group. Perhaps they'll see once again that the power of the "product" lies in the artist themselves, and that to connect with the public you don't have to suppress their personality, but encourage it. And that the music, and the weight of someone who has been chewing on it since childhood, makes real a sound that, besides being sincere, can also be a bestseller.
We have the pleasure of interviewing Kim Fanlo in our conversations between musicians. He's one of us. Welcome, and thanks for "coming."
Let's start by talking about your beginnings. Before you joined forces, we'd like to know what you were doing musically and what previous work you've done, to get to know the band's history a bit.
Kim: Everything from working with my parents at the market, in a record company's warehouse, as a studio and live musician with very different artists: from Coyote Dax and OT2 to Howie B and Bunbury.
We know you met Mai thanks to a famous TV show whose philosophy possibly has nothing to do with what characterizes you now. How did the spark happen? What brought you together?
K: It happened very naturally; we saw that we were both heading to the same place musically and that what one of us lacked, the other had…
Besides meeting each other, did the experience there contribute anything to your musical career?
K: We have fond memories of that tour; we had a great time and learned a lot of things…
“The Trail of Your Blood in the Snow,” by Gabriel García Márquez, gave your group its name. What attracted you to the character of Nena Daconte? Her calm? The melancholy of her story? Her personality?
K: It wasn't exactly because of what the character herself was like. We liked how the name sounded, the strength and magic it has… We saw it clearly right away.
How is her spirit reflected in your music?
K: In some way, I suppose, but we hope not to bleed to death along the way.
In many of your songs even joy has a melancholy tone, balancing lyrics and music. Do both come from the same creative process? How do you decide that a certain melancholy should sound happy?
K: It comes naturally. In songs like “Tenía tanto que darte” the vocal melody makes it happy and positive.
When it comes to working and composing, how do you organize yourselves? Do you have a work routine or do you let yourselves be carried away by the creative process?
K: Mai handles the composition (lyrics, melody and harmony) and I do the arrangements and production.
What we like most about you is that you manage to be commercial without conforming to today's definition of "commercial music" and, basically, while keeping your essence. How have you achieved that?
K: We do what we like and what comes from within.
Is it hard to keep that spirit while working with a major label? Do you often hear, or have to say, "no"? How do you strike a balance?
K: We try to have a say in everything we can, or believe in, 100%. We're quite lucky that they respect a lot of our decisions and take them into account. We reach a mutual agreement…
Part of your image is shaped by your music videos, which usually have a very fun alternative feel, with a certain vintage tone that is now characteristic. Do you take part in the creative process or leave it all in the hands of professionals?
K: We like working with directors who have original ideas and who capture the idea of each song. The truth is we've been very lucky to work with people like Marc Lozano and JA Bayona…
To be successful, do you need a good team behind you, or is the main thing having a solid foundation?
K: Of course. One is as important as the other.
Since you started, you've done nothing but earn recognition, which has translated into numerous nominations and awards. I get the feeling you're very traditional musicians, in the sense of hard, steady work. Can you be prepared for success?
K: We never would have imagined everything that has happened to us. In fact, we're still not aware of it, nor do we want to be.
You're currently on tour, but I understand you'll soon wrap it up with two big concerts in Barcelona and Madrid. I've heard there will be big surprises and guest appearances. This interview will be published after all this has happened; could you give us a preview?
K: They're very special concerts; we're honored that Dani Martín, Mikel Erentxun, Coti and Joan Tena will join us on stage to sing our songs. A luxury and a really lovely experience.
And after the tour, what's next? Time to rest? Are you already thinking about a new record?
K: At the end of November we'll be in Argentina playing some concerts. It's our first trip to Latin America, and the truth is we're very curious to see how people there respond to our music. We're really excited about it… After that we'll take a mini vacation and, once our batteries are fully recharged, we'll get to work on the new songs.
Finally, what would you say to those who are starting out and are dying to make it in music?
K: To enjoy what they're doing.
Thank you for your time; it's been a pleasure having you in our "conversations," and we hope you keep enjoying good music, and helping us enjoy it, for a long time to come.
