Marcelo Guilty In June, she kicked off the summer by releasing La antepenúltima casa de apuestas, a triple single containing 3 of the 22 tracks that will complete her next album (how long has an independent artist dared to do a double LP?). Another preview of the long-awaited double album was Pedro Sánchez, the most recent, El día que murió, released on the eve of the election campaign launch; Asturian singer-songwriter Nacho Vegas collaborated on it. Someone from the record label (Sonido Muchacho) had the idea to send it to him to see if he’d like to collaborate, and he liked it. It’s about “sci-fi folk, a protest song, a weird joke, a cañí dystopia …”. created by Marcelo A mysterious story that may be reminiscent of Vázquez Montalbán’s novel Murder in the Central Committee, but it’s actually inspired by Bob Dylan’s Murder most foul song, a rite that mentions Kennedy’s death, with Marcelo, who is referred to as ‘Murcian Daniel Johnston’ for the spirit of his music and mannerisms. once again demonstrates his wonderful ability to spin words overflowing with content. It’s an innate talent. Marcelo owns it and subtly displays various reflections as a critical attitude towards life.
The very day Pedro Sánchez died to discuss the political situation with (or without) elections. What is your diagnosis?
I have no diagnosis, just a certain curiosity about the future.
By coinciding the launch with the start of the election campaign, did you seek any reflection?
I thought that if the song had been released after the election and Pedro Sánchez had lost, it would have been interpreted in ways that seemed less interesting to me, so with the announcement of the elections, we pushed the broadcast forward, although I couldn’t prevent it. boring literary comments.
It is amazing that Nacho Vegas accompanies you. How did the collaboration come about? What did he inherit?
Adrián of Movidas Ardilla saw me sing him at a concert about a year ago and it occurred to him that it might be fun for Nacho Vegas to attend. They shared the idea from the company with their people, and he lent it generously. The contribution is as seen, singing some choirs in choirs and in a verse.
How was this unforgettable song born? what does it mean? He recommends Vázquez Montalbán’s novel Murder in the Central Committee.
I wanted to make a song that would open the doors of a world that is narrative, imaginary and mysterious, that does not belong to us, stay there for a few moments and come back with a new feeling. It is very difficult to talk about a ‘meaning’ of the song because even thinking about whether it is a serious or a joke is very valuable to me.
Your record label describes it as “sci-fi folk, a protest song, a weird joke, a cañí dystopia…”. In the middle of the President’s official trip to Lugo, someone suddenly starts shooting. Did you get any warning for this?
Is it because of the theme of the song? Semi-anonymous internet users only. I think beyond the title, which I find shocking, the song is clearly a pretty classic uchronic story.
You appear in the images in medieval attire: cloak, chain armor, like that photo of Aznar, and a Water Through an Eye T-shirt. On the border of surrealism?
I made a movie with a techno-feudal apocalypse. The reference to Aznar was purely coincidental.
Did the meaning of the song change after the elections? Do you dare to make a prediction about what will happen in the coming months?
Sometimes songs are wanted to be extraterrestrial and not tainted, but it is inevitable that what happened will give them new meaning. While it may sound like pretentious nonsense, for me it’s one of the least political songs I’ve ever made, so yes, I want this moment to pass so it can take on other meanings. Of course I dare not guess anything, I am not brave at all.
Before that, you released a new triple single, La antepenúltima casa de Apuestas. Could you give brief information about its content? which is the message
It has three pop songs, one about falling in love while studying, another about a dying friend, and one about not going to parties. Some of the ones I’ve done that I like the most, and I’ll let me say I’m pretty proud of them.
Do you orient yourself more with television than with newspapers?
Especially online. I’m a puppet in the hands of tech bosses.
With this single, you are on your way to the release of a third album. How do you set it up? The future is still quite uncertain.
The album has been planned for a long time, it will be very long and apocalyptic.
Do you consider yourself an anti-establishment singer-songwriter? Do you think there should be some degree of commitment in pop as well? What bothers you about the things that surround you today?
I don’t see myself as particularly anti-establishment, but I try to make songs about things that interest people, and the anxiety of capitalism in 2023 seems like a pretty interesting topic to me. I don’t think there should be more or less commitment in pop, but it seems strange to me that there are too many songs about love or heartbreak, too little about fatigue or physical pain, and too many songs about parties. There is very little about hangovers.
I would like to know how the collaboration with Soleá Morente was born and what your reaction was when you found out that I was going to name a song.
He was at a concert of mine, he must have liked it and found a song in that tune. I don’t know the details because I’m too embarrassed to ask. He called to tell me and suggested I write myself a verse. I felt a great sense of responsibility and a certain humility, but forgetting that his name is Marcelo Criminal, I think it’s a pretty good song.
You’ve also collaborated with Tigres Leones or Ghouljaboy. What did they mean to you?
They are artists who inspire me and expand my musical palette, so I am very honored to be able to work with them.
Did you trust Álex López again? Did you take the action well?
I feel comfortable working with him and I like the way the songs come out. Changing it doesn’t make much sense to me.
You don’t seem to be jumping sharply between species. Is it about protecting your core and doing what you know with your tools? What sound coordinates follow these new songs?
All my life I believe in the power of pop music, but I don’t trust professionalism, virtuosity, and the concept of talent, and I guess what’s in between is where things come out for me.
Did you expect it to be like this now? It is not necessary to go to Madrid or Barcelona to develop a career, as Nacho Vegas assumes.
Yes, I always hoped to be in my mother’s house in the summer feeling warm. Dreams come true if you work hard.