Juan Gomez, known as El Bro, is back on the road with fresh tracks from his new album, Living Things. He still squeezes in the classics fans love, like Fly, It’s Good to Live, and Cinnamon Stick, which continue to receive enthusiastic approval from audiences across Canada and the United States.
The Malaga native jokes about his stage persona, noting that occasional stumbles create a vibe that fans embrace. He views touring and writing as a gift, something he deeply appreciates even when it comes with its challenges.
After a year without a concert, you mentioned you sang solo. Is that still the plan?
Yes, and in fact the year has strengthened the resolve. The pause helped him reconnect with the spark that drew him to music. Work remained steady during that time, and while it was not as intense as before the pandemic, it offered a chance to recalibrate. He pursued independent projects but remains hopeful about the future of live performances. If circumstances allow, he would prefer to continue singing and connecting with audiences for many years to come, keeping the stage alive for as long as possible.
How does the hunger to perform square with the fatigue of touring?
Every show is weighed on its own terms. He recalls performing at small venues in Spain at age 25, singing for intimate crowds and wondering about the path ahead. Those memories shaped his approach: concerts should feel different each time, with improvised moments that still feel sincere. Now he travels with a group, follows a structured schedule, and rests in modest hotels. He has learned to balance energy, travel, and the need to give the audience his all, even when the miles mount up.
This shifts everything, doesn’t it?
Yes, the reality has evolved. The driver used to be sheer desire, and that still matters, but now there is a practical side to the pursuit. At forty, he can’t cross an entire country with a dozen people in tow. Yet he still performs about once a month, sometimes resting on sofas in between. December still holds the promise of a big Alicante show, a moment he genuinely anticipates and cherishes.
And performing new material remains a joy, right?
Absolutely. The new album brings songs that audiences are still getting familiar with, and the reaction to each story matters. Earlier favorites, such as Cinnamon Stick, Fly, and It’s Good to Live, continue to resonate. There are moments when the audience belts out the lyrics from start to finish, which feels almost like a mutual moment of creation. He writes the songs for the pleasure of creating and for the moment when listeners claim them as their own, which he finds incredibly special and empowering for a writer.
The classics should have a place on stage, correct?
Definitely. He aims to strike a balance between presenting new material and honoring beloved songs from the past. He refuses to stay stuck in nostalgia but stays respectful of the past while inviting listeners to experience the present set. The goal is to defend new work while being generous to longtime fans, managing a careful equilibrium across performances.
New material seems personal and intimate. Is the self-portrait theme real?
Yes, it rings true. There is a candid self-reflection in the new work, a sense of humor about flaws, and a touch of self-awareness. He embraces that honesty in his music and in the way he presents himself on stage.
Diversity in music and a bright outlook—do these traits follow him consistently?
They do not chase trends. The moment a song begins, the aim is beauty and sincerity in its core. The style or optimism level matters less than the authenticity of the emotion. He values light and shadow alike, seeking growth through lyric craft and personal insight. He does not pretend to know what the future holds, but he believes the songs will stand on their own merit as long as they feel true.
Do family and intimate performances stay part of his life alongside large venues?
They stay essential. He continues to blend small, intimate shows with larger performances. Whether on a compact stage in Melilla or in a major arena, the aim is to maintain a human connection with the audience. He cherishes both formats and values the chance to explore different energies with the same heartfelt approach.
With nearly a million monthly listeners on streaming platforms, is that significance real for him?
It’s meaningful, but not defined by numbers. He remembers starting at the very bottom, with just a few pre-sales and plenty of doubt. Seeing audience members travel to a show and decide to spend on a ticket felt transformative. He has learned to navigate fame with humility and continues to create freely, guided by what resonates with him and his listeners rather than chasing metrics. The growth feels natural and earned, not manufactured.
What should new listeners expect from a live show?
A vibrant singer-songwriter act backed by a band, delivering predominantly lively songs. People leave with a sense of optimism and connection, often singing along as if they wrote the songs themselves. The performances are polished, well-rehearsed, and anchored in genuine enjoyment. The goal is simple: make the audience have a memorable, uplifting experience, without any illusion of perfection or grand spectacle.