The Deacorde agency marks its 20th anniversary with a celebratory concert featuring Tenerife’s Javier Ruibal, described as a reference and a singular figure in Spanish music, alongside Jaime Anglada. The event is set for Trui Teatre this Thursday at 21:00.
I kicked him out of the studio. What are you preparing?
A future project, quite large, though still in its embryonic stages. Presently, the team is in the studio with the producer, exploring ideas with strong motivation and enthusiasm.
What unites him with Javier Ruibal and Jaime Anglada, who will sing the birthday wishes to Deacorde, the Majorca-based agency, tomorrow at the Trui Teatre?
Although Anglada is not personally known to him, a long-standing connection binds Xavier Ruibal and the speaker. When the speaker lived in the Canary Islands before settling in Madrid, Ruibal already stood as a guiding figure. They have crossed paths countless times over the years, recorded together, and shared mutual respect. The meeting with Anglada is planned for this year by chance, the first encounter having occurred with Uxía in Galicia during the summer. Ruibal’s roots in flamenco, his Arab heritage, and his distinctive artistry draw admiration. His guitar work and vocal prowess are highly regarded, placing him as a standout presence in the Spanish music scene.
Deacorde began as a concert organizer; the island’s first performances included Ruibal, Drexler, and Ismail Serrano. What memories come to mind from that initial show?
The first concert happened at the Christmas dinner of a key cultural association in the speaker’s homeland, at the Canary Folk Culture Centre. Sabandenos and Taburiente, two major folk groups, were present, drawing together a diverse crowd of Canary Islands intellectuals. The speaker performed two songs, marking a debut that sparked subsequent collaborations and momentum. He was just sixteen years old at the time.
Since then, the speaker has toured globally and released more than twenty albums. What has the relationship with the music industry been like?
It has been neither wholly good nor wholly bad. The industry is simply the mechanism by which business moves, and it has generally functioned well. Yet there are moments when industry goals and artistic aims diverge. The most crucial difference often lies between financial outcomes and artistic integrity. There can be friction at that juncture, but the two needs rely on one another. He spent years with a multinational label, then moved toward more freedom in recent years, negotiating distribution and other terms while maintaining creative sovereignty. He never felt pressured to pursue a path he did not believe in, and he has generally had positive experiences with partnerships in the industry.
Balance is a term that people use to describe him as a composer.
He aims to balance lyrics with music, avoiding songs with strong music but weak lyrics and vice versa. He strives for sincerity and honesty in every topic, sharing perspectives from a distinctive angle. Repetition is avoided to keep his work fresh and authentic.
Gender violence, historical memory, and migration are foundational themes in his songwriting. Do these issues feel like they are moving backward in today’s world?
Progress exists, though it sometimes appears slow or uneven. In historical memory and gender violence, notable advances have occurred, even as political currents push back on some ideas—particularly from conservative and far-right sectors that question the existence of machismo, the importance of memory, and the immigrant narrative. A decline in forward momentum would be troubling, but ongoing improvement remains evident.
After finishing the Palm concert, he heads to Las Vegas for a premiere as a Latin Grammy finalist. Is he comfortable on red carpets?
This nomination marks the fourth time he has been recognized, and the first time he will attend the ceremony in person. He does not see red carpets as his favorite space, yet he acknowledges their value for connecting with artists and opportunities to exchange experiences. Attending the Grammys also highlights a broader projection into Latin America.
She attends the Grammys with a work titled ‘El viaje’. What is his dream trip?
There isn’t just one dream; there are many. From the moment he dedicated himself to music, the journey has been full of uncertainty, yet it has carried him farther than imagined. Life, in his view, is a voyage shaped by dreams, efforts, and results—some realized, others not. The mind is constantly traveling, seeking new horizons and discoveries.