The days of Nancho Novo (A Coruña, 1958) may seem to last more than 24 hours. He makes television, cinema, theatre, radio, composes, organizes concerts and also devotes time to writing books. Now take advantage of his short break until January to perform in A Coruña, the city he always wanted to return to but never took to show his songs to the public. He does this tonight (21:15) in the Mardi Gras room, where he presents his beloved Guarockmántico, a mix of rock, romance, humor and satire.
This is his first concert in his city. How can it be?
As an actor, I came many times in theater companies and films, but never to act. I never came to play in A Coruña because I was devoted to it. I’ve been to Santiago, Carballo… But never here. I am very excited, very nervous and with great enthusiasm.
Is it private
Clear. I remember when I came to the theater with El cavernícola, which was staged more than a thousand times and made me sick to my stomach, I was as excited as if it was the day of the premiere. Now imagine, much more. The truth is, I’m very happy and content to play at Mardi Gras. I hope we have a great time because what I’m going to do is a concert and also a party, a monologue and fun stuff. People agree a lot. It is usually quite a festive event.
The room he plays in already deserves a separate chapter. Do you remember being in it?
Yes, I’ve been on it a few times. Not much, because it caught me in Madrid when it opened. A legendary room in A Coruña, amazing. It’s an honor to play there.
About your show, how would you define the term guarockmántico?
It’s a term I coined years ago to describe the type of show I do. These are songs that are sometimes a little punk, sometimes a little romantic, blending the most violent romance with touches of humor, lots of satire, wordplay, and reflections on my own style and life.
Is this how you understand life? Humor Y music?
I want to live my life like this. Sometimes it’s not that easy because life puts you where you are.
In this mood, have you been told that you have a lot of backlinks?
Yes, the breech is congenital, it is glued and worn on the skin. It is a piece of homesickness that cannot be removed, stuck to the skin. It’s the kind of humor and intensity I bring to these shows. I laugh at everything. This show used to be called Confessions of a Shitty, Tired Songwriter because I’m starting from the basics of laughing at the singer-songwriter’s roll. From that, irony. I describe myself as a writer who can empathize with the public and tire myself with a humorous style.
He laughs at everything at a time when humor seems to have limits.
Yes, how limited we are in humor is now reflected in the show. Whatever you say, there seems to be a community that might feel hurt. A person does nothing with that spirit, starting with himself, laughing at everything.
How do you build the repertoire?
These are the songs I’ve been composing over the years. I’ve been performing with my Punished Without Dessert band for a long time. It was released on Youtube, Spotify, records were released… We were in Madrid, we were, because we give less concerts now, it’s a well-known band. Now I have collected these songs and created a story around them. I did this show alone last year, and luckily I had pretty good results. I never stopped music, I always did something. But my job prevents me from developing my musical side the way I want.
He opened a new door in the music world by participating in the Billy Elliot musical this year. How was my experience?
Yes, it was my first experience as a musical actor and singer. It was great. I learned a lot because singing with an orchestra and conductor is very different from singing with a rock and roll band. I really enjoyed doing this. An apprentice was going like an apprentice. There were very young children there but very experienced in musicals and I tried to learn everything I could from them.
Theatre, television, cinema… how do you devote time to other things?
Now I have a job break and I’m evaluating it for these concerts either alone or with my group. I’m going back to work in January and will only be able to do this on the weekends. I use spaces.
And to that we have to add the books.
I just published a compilation of games called Obras cosocidas y rembras completas. I also published a compilation of micro-theatrical works. I’m continuing with an unfinished novel that I don’t know when to finish.
nor neglect social media. Do you brag about them most of the city?
Clear. I’ve been abroad for 42 years but I’m guessing I’m from A Coruña. I was born and raised there and will always be from A Coruña.