Interview with Songwriter: Nacho
Arboles Libres
Taken from a brief Facebook conversation I had this morning with Nacho from the band Arboles Libres. I’ve known this cat for about 5 years and I’ve always enjoyed his music and performance.
Vic: Hey, nacho
Juan: Tell me brother
Vic: I want to feature you in my blog. I have a couple questions about songwriting and music that I want you to answer and I will publish it
Juan: Ok cool
Vic: Do you want to answer the questions now?
Juan: Yea
Vic: How often do you song-write?
Juan: Almost everyday
Vic: Do you start with lyrics? music?
Juan: I start with the music. By the way I’m really proud of you
Vic: Thanks bro! How do you know that you’ve found a good combination of chords that you want to work with?
Juan: When I cant stop playing them
Vic: Tell me a little bit about your normal process for writing. Where do you find inspiration for your themes and how much of your material is influenced by other artists?
Juan: When I write it’s usually on the spot. I really don’t plan it. Sometimes it’s the place that I’m in at the moment. A lot of my material is influenced by other bands and songwriters and artists like you that help me a lot. It helps when I see that my friends don’t give up.
Vic: Which songwriters are big inspirations to your music?
Juan: I listen to Billie holiday a lot, Bo Diddley, Caetano Veloso, Modest Mouse, Cold War Kids and especially their song, Hospital Beds
Vic: That’s quite a variety, man. Ok, tell me a little about writing lyrics
Juan: A lot of my lyrics are part of what I’ve been through and everyday life
Vic: Do you ever feel that people will judge you based on your lyrics?
Juan: No I really don’t hold back and don’t worry about what other people think of me
Vic: Tell me a little bit about the last song you wrote and finished
Juan: It’s a song that I wrote about my grandmother, but it took me couple of years
Vic: You just finished it?
Juan: Yes
Vic: What about revision? Do you ever go back and re-edit stuff?
Juan: Yeah I think a song never stops improving
Vic: Do you think your song writing has matured in the past few years?
Juan: Yes a lot, especially now with Arboles Libres
Vic: One last question, what’s the most reoccurring theme in your music?
Juan: Life and having a good time, the simple views of life
Vic: Thanks for your time. Give me your band’s web address
Juan: www.arboleslibres.com