White Dove After his experience, he takes a new professional flight. Eurovision Song Contest 2023. At a time when the artist is busy with the preparations of his first studio album, he is about to close a two-year period and hand over the flag as the winner of Benidorm Fest. Three months after their performance on the Liverpool Arena stage, YOTELE talks to Blanca Paloma about her upcoming music projects, among other things.
How do you feel as we close this biennial cycle at Benidorm Fest?
I don’t think I will feel closed until I deliver the official baton on Feb. I will never cease to belong to this big family of Eurovision and its Eurofans, but it’s true that it feels like a transition is starting. After all the feeling we all felt while representing Spain at Eurovision, I’m focusing on that first album that got me so excited and required some introspection to get the most out of me, at least in my case. .
Many of the songs have already been composed and sung live, but others are under construction and new things are coming out that excite me. It is true that I still recognize myself in songs like ‘Plumas de nácar’ that I first wrote, but at this stage, everything that I have experienced and enriched me takes me to other places and even to the synergies I am in. being in the studio with different artists and producers. Of course José Pablo Polo will always be by my side because I think we have made a great team and I always value not only him but all the members of that team that took us to Eurovision.
How was your meeting with Mas?
At the presentation of Benidorm Fest 2024 a few weeks ago, siel?
What the hell… (Laughter) How did you live? It was my first time with him face to face and he has overwhelming charisma. I actually came with him from Alicante to Benidorm and had the opportunity to get to know him better from the inside. I affirmed that she was one of those women who stepped forward, that music required much more than that in her time. I think he’s brave and I’m glad the 55 years since he won Eurovision are appreciated, which has a lot of value.
Do you see yourself at 55, just like him, without fear of anything and saying whatever you want?
I want to be free and I also want to be respected because one thing does not contradict the other. I say this because I have a deep respect not just for music, but for all people and everything that each of us thinks about. The beauty of being so different is the virtue of living together and seeing each other in the same world excited by music. Music is not closed, it has no boundaries, and I think that’s what we need to emphasize right now. And when is it older? All right, more White Doves. I am always free and always respectfully.
What surprised you the most about yourself in this introspection project? If you were going to other genres, what genre did you see yourself singing?
My premise is to be honest with myself. I am a fluent and adaptable person because I love all genres. Frankly, my voice fits better with some than others, and that’s fundamental, I’ll never do something that I don’t think represents me. I’ve already realized that going with a personal offer and identifying yourself is a guarantee that you won’t be disappointed, and Eurovision has shown that. When time passes and I see my performance, I will be able to say ‘I went with my song, I am proud of what I did and its quality’. That’s why I’m betting on my record. As for genres, electronic music will continue to exist thanks to José Pablo Polo, and I think the people with whom I create synergies will also contribute to soniquete. They are the people I want to be involved with and see what comes out. In this creative lab I’m in, I may not be ready to include it in the first album, but little things come out, I have fun and dare to write new lyrics.
Have you set deadlines?
Limits are very important because otherwise things may be delayed, but to be realistic, the album will be released next year. Likewise, there will be a single or single release before the end of 2023, so I won’t be fallowing for a long time because I also want to keep connecting with people and releasing new stuff is the spark. Live performances also feed me a lot, but you also have a great time in the studio.
In this quest for new things, is it hard not to be tempted by current best-selling rhythms like Latinos or Latinos? reggaetoneros? Or I don’t know, maybe it’s possible and it’s not unreasonable…
Wild? It doesn’t have to. There are many pioneers in these genres that show you can do any genre with quality, and why not? It is true that it is not the music I listen to the most, and maybe I can enter it more fully in future projects. I wanted to work on root music inspired songs that I had composed earlier on this album, and maybe I just can’t find a way for the others to blend perfectly here. But I have a deadline to be in that ‘lab’ and I’m not shutting myself out. I respect all kinds of music and I think I can have a lot of fun.
You were talking about seeing your performance a few years later and being proud of it. Did you see it again after Eurovision or did you close that stage completely?
A stage that will always accompany me because I trust my pigeons and I know that you will accompany me. I am not afraid to see the performance again and I did not watch it fully because I was very calm. I see it when they put it on the screens. The truth is, I’m very proud to have fulfilled a risky offer. Congratulations to everyone who supported him, because you guys are brave. I submitted the song to Benidorm Fest with no expectations and the win was a surprise to everyone. Maybe we didn’t imagine this when the subject came up. I think we built it together. I hope you continue to believe in the different suggestions and whichever you choose, the ‘Spain brand’ is associated with quality.
Do you think the future White Dove will continue to defend the Eurovision project or will it be a definitive rejection? Because there were some artists who participated…
I tried to convey to people that victory can be interpreted in many ways, and victory for me is to be able to send a candidate from our roots after all this time. This is a success. It is an achievement for me that all people trust such a topic and who knows how many years from now it will be popular again! I’m not just talking about floral or flamenco music. There is so much diversity in Spain that the nice thing is to be able to show a little of it all. Likewise, I understand that Eurovision is a competition and a reflection of society and its music.
Since my career is about to begin, I don’t think my position is punishing me. It’s been a great window, people already know me here and abroad, I’ve been getting a lot of support messages and it’s hopeful for me, there are people out there who want to explore this genre. Over the years, I will continue to be very proud of what we do. I call it an opportunity for those performing at Benidorm Fest to show your truth whether they win or not. Therefore, what you present should be very own and very original, because if you do not see the seams.
You’ve already unveiled your plaque at the Mirador de la música in Benidorm. What other tributes have you received from your town?
My people went crazy. There were screens everywhere. When I came back from Liverpool, everyone had kept the little shawls and photos on the balconies… I was very welcome. My people understood very well that I was already a winner before I went to Eurovision, and when I came back, we won because I performed. I didn’t go to the festival to be recognized. I wasn’t expecting a roundabout. I’ve tried my best and the next chapters are yet to come. I just need some patience and will continue to explore the ways I love and discover.
If TVE offered to host Benidorm Fest, would you accept it?
The truth is, I hadn’t imagined that. It’s a way to continue being a part of it. If that happens, I’d give it a shot, like when they invited me to attend the first Benidorm Festival. I had no affiliation with television at the time, and then look, I made television an ally, acting as a platform to show what I have, and I think it all adds up. To introduce? I don’t know. I didn’t send anything, but I wouldn’t say no either. Before that, I would like to leave my project in progress. This is my priority now and I will not ignore it in the future.
And would you run again?
Re-introduce yourself… why not? It was a very good experience, including Eurovision. I still teach in English, so I hope to be a ‘master’ of English when I return and be able to express myself in all my words. Apart from the performance, Eurovision is a world where you want to know the artist, who he is, what his universe is, and it’s true that I have certain limits when it comes to language. It has been quite an experience for me to understand myself and if I come back I would try to be even more prepared. Likewise, where I end up at Benidorm Fest will not matter to me because the experience itself is already enriching for me.