Diego Cantero, a daring tightrope artist, embodies a zest for life and song. When this artist takes the stage, the moment feels bigger than a concert; it feels like witnessing a country’s finest singer‑songwriter at work. Leaving a multinational career behind, the artist launched a record label to publish their own artistic path. Animal, released in 2022, bursts with bright, optimistic songs recorded between Spain and Puerto Rico. A love of life runs through tracks like Same Place and Super Powers. A new single, Two Seas and a Glance, emerges from a collaboration with Turismo de Murcia, highlighting the region in a campaign during Fitur. As an ambassador for Murcia, alongside tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, the artist heads to a Saturday night Mamba Room show. Murcia’s capital proves to be a special stage inviting guest artists to share the moment.
-Plaza de Toros de Murcia resonated with the singer as the song I Love Life marked the fortieth anniversary of the regional Autonomy Statute at a memorable concert.
-It was a remarkable night. The first-time experience felt electric, especially after performing during the pandemic when audiences were seated and capacity limited. That memory carries a powerful weight.
-The city and Plaza de Toros create a different energy than the usual large venues. The Animal tour even began at Wizink Center, highlighting a journey from intimate spaces to grand stages.
It began with small bars and theatres, not grand halls. The gift of reaching larger audiences and the surprise of ongoing growth have become a meaningful part of the artist’s career twenty years after starting music.
-Fans still hear the tension between new sounds and familiar tunes in the seventh studio album Animal, as well as in Señorita Rock and Roll, the first self‑label release. Was this a deliberate move to take control, or did opportunity simply arise?
It was a clear choice. A strong team supported the leap into independence, proving that autonomy isn’t about isolation but about collaborating with the right people to steer the career.
-Does the composing process feel freer now?
Creativity has always offered freedom. In the past, corporate walls rarely dictated what could be done, but today the artist must balance artistry with the responsibilities of managing a career. The surrounding team makes it possible to explore new paths while handling a broader scope of work beyond song creation.
-A trip to Puerto Rico adds a Caribbean flavor to the album. The rhythms and tonal palette reflect a willingness to let the music lead in new directions, using percussion and Latin piano textures born from collaboration and travel.
-Influences from Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Gardel, and Chavela Vargas surface as origins of sound carried from family car rides. Over time, these inspirations blend into a personal musical language rather than a pastiche of others’ work.
-Animal’s music leans into instinct, sometimes with a fierce energy. The album also hosts more direct, instinctive tracks, where a simple sentiment like I love you can be expressed with unguarded honesty.
-The title Animal reflects a spectrum of moods, from tenderness to fierceness. The songs aim to accompany people through daily life, offering themes that fit every moment.
-The sound evolves with each release, signaling growth and the breaking down of prejudice. Instinct remains a through line, guiding the creative process through changing times.
-There is a playful, animalistic thread in Bohemian, a hint of irony that breathes life into the music. The writer remains focused on personal and collaborative projects, continually seeking fresh inspiration while staying true to the core voice.
-Songwriting often spans collaborations with other artists who bring respect and new perspectives. The process is as much about staying connected to current music as it is about crafting something lasting and meaningful with new people encountered along the way.
-In the studio, a dedicated notebook, a guitar, and a quiet corner become spaces for learning and record making. The goal is to capture moments that feel organic, even as the industry evolves toward digital formats and shifting consumption habits.
-Reggaeton and trap elements appear, reflecting a desire to connect with contemporary listening trends while keeping a distinct voice that remains unmistakably personal. The approach blends irony with a clear message about modern music culture and audience expectations.
-Today, selling music presents different challenges. Digital formats dominate, yet the tangible appeal of physical media persists for collectors. What matters is that the songs are heard, regardless of the channel used to reach listeners.
-A song about anger and healing, My Calmness and Your Anxiety, demonstrates how emotion can drive powerful, cathartic music. The track embraces anger as a catalyst for relief and connection.
-Dos Mares y Una Mirada, created for a Fitur campaign celebrating the Murcia region, extended beyond a simple homage. The piece sparked a sense of cultural ambassadorial duty and a genuine desire to contribute something personal to regional projects.
-Two Seas and One View captures Murcia’s landscapes—the sea, lemon groves, and a sense of paradise. The artist reflects on whether all parts of the past should be kept or quietly revised, acknowledging the beauty and complexity of the region while urging attention to environmental and cultural heritage through music.