Interview

Street Wings: «Each one comes from a different background»

They have been playing together for four years and they present their second album, 'Up To Heaven'

Published by Alex Belencoso and translated by Luisa Barbu - 9 years ago
Street Wings: «Each one comes from a different background»

It is one of these bands in which, different musical interests, get integrated in a balanced way, to get a unique sound. In this case, an original mixture of folk, rock, country and celtic music.

The story about how the band was formed, meeting Jitka by chance, is very interesting. Could you retell the story for those who haven´t heard it already?

Without a doubt it's a magical one, a synchrony, how we like to call it (that is the title Synchronized of our first record). Juanlu and David had decided to go to Arenal street, to play some songs with bagpipes and guitar. Jitka (of czech origin) was in Madrid through the Erasmus programme and was walking, getting to know the city. She tells us she heard the music, went by to listen to them and, after leaving, she had to go back to talk to them. Immediately the whole band got together for rehearsal and see what was happening and almost four years later, here we are.

Before that, which was the musical background of each one of you? Which were your influences?

Here is the peculiarity of the band which gives it the Street Wings sound. Each one of us comes from different backgrounds. Juanlu and David were playng in folk bands, Manu and Vicen were playng in hard rock bands, and Jitka came from the country world. In the end there are no boundaries in music.

You've played in Spain, but also the rest of Europe. Where are you most famous?

The truth is we always felt very supported, both in Spain and outside. We always say it depends of the place, but the audience always welcomes our concerts. We've been in the Basque Country, Andalusia, Castile and Leon or Cantabria and we always end up eraising miths or ideas one can get. We'we met great people in all these places, whith many of whom we are friends and keep in contact throuh the social networks.

We'we also had the luck to visit some european countrys, but we have to say that The Czech Republic is our second home. Jitka helped a lot with the tours there and we have a great lot of fans. We could say the same about Italy, where we played three years in a row.

Can you notice the difference, as to the technical means, promotion, etc. between Spain and other countries?

We'we met all kinds of professionals, but in general the sound engeneers have been very cooperative, understanding, trying to help from the first minute of the soundcheck.

In Spain we were very supported by RNE and other radio stations, as well as specialised press. Abroad it's a little more difficult, because we lack press offices .

Although the band “was born” in the street, you had the chance to participate to all kinds of festivals, string along with famous artists,before great audiences,... Which one do you prefere best?

We'd rather not choose. We always say that both(street/big scenarios) have their peculiarities and each brings us something different. We will always enjoy both.

What does Up to Heaven, your second album, has new about it?

We wanted to give the backing vocals more presence. These are more comercial than the ones on our first album, without loosing the essence of our music. We introduced new instruments, as the banjo or the mandoline, which gave more colour to the mixture.

We were lucky to have first class colaborations: Adriano Sangineto (harp) and Manuel Blanco (trumpet). Known voices came by the studio and helped us record the baking vocals ‘Up to Heaven’, it came out very well .

Where and how did you record the album? What did you make of the experience with José María Rosillo as a producer?

Up to Heaven was recorded in the Audiomatic studios in the winter of 2013/2014. Recording with Rosillo is a safe bet . His guarantee all the ears as a professional and his trajectory. He makes it all easy and has a very nice turtle that takes good decisions during recording and editing. We're very happy with the result and if all goes well we'll soon go back to tecord new thems with him.

Your music mixes different elements, some traditionals, others more “rock”, but always looking after the melodic line. How do you come up with the lyrics? How far do folk or rock standards influence your music?

We love to a improvise to the rehearsals, somebody starts with a tune or rythm and we end up in a loop, half hour later thinking only ten minutes have past. Most of the songs are born this way, each of us embodies his influences, whether tradicional, rock, country, folk,...

What about the lyrics?

All our lyrics,one way or another are personal experiences. ‘The Right Night’, ‘Up to Heaven’ and ‘Unharmed’ are the same story, told in diffrent parts. ‘When the Town was Blacked Out’ taks about that thin line between friendship and something more. ‘Cold Day’ is about the continuous confrontation between heart and reason. All of them reflect emotions with wich everybody can identify.

Having a multiinstrumentalist player like Juan Luis Alonso, is it a blessing or a punishment when recording,because of the number of the uncommon instruments?

Maybe it is a punishment for the sound engeneers, when he shows up with all his material and realise they have to sonorize it hehe, although they end up fascinated with the sound and the instrument Kantele (finnish harp). Obviously having so many instruments is without a doubt a blessing, and the possibilitys that offers us,infinite.

Guys, congratulations for the project and good luck :-)

Thanks a lot, it's been a pleasure.

Text: Alex Belencoso / Translation: Luisa Barbu

There's more in http://sierracontratacionartistica.com/street-wings-2014/