It’s Francisca Valenzuela’s world, on her terms. Here, the 24-year-old Chilean singer/songwriter talks about her sophomore release “Buen Soldado” and about doing everything possible to keep her music pure, even if it means saying “no, thanx” to major record labels.
Just as with Muerdete la luenga (2007), Chilean singer/songwriter Francisca Valenzuela has once again taken the indie road with Buen Soldado (2011). Produced by Canadian producer Mocky and Chilean DJ Vicente Sanfuentes, Buen Soldado is Valenzuela’s sophomore release where the 24-year-old shows her canny-pop take on macho identities, every day stresses and self-mage. As Valenzuela explains in this conversation, the freedom she gets from being an unsigned artist is far more satisfying than any record deal that’s been offered to her. Therefore, and for the sake of the purity of her music, she consciously chooses to continue on this road until the right terms, her terms, are met.
Here, she talks to us about the toss up between the two worlds (the indie and the mainstream) and about how both her albums have benefited from her sticking to her gut.
Here, she talks to us about the toss up between the two worlds (the indie and the mainstream) and about how both her albums have benefited from her sticking to her gut.
“Buen Soldado” (2011)
My first album was very young so with this second I wanted a more professional storytelling approach to my lyrics. I wanted more social critique as well. In the case of the songs “Buen Soldado” and “Entrevista”, those songs are about taking character. In “Buen Soldado” I take on the role of a man that thinks he can have any woman he wants, but really has no clue on how to be a real man. In “Entrevista” I talk about the anguish people feel when going to a job interview and the consequences that their success will have on their future and on their families’ as well.
Although most of my songs start in a very naked way, either on piano or on acoustic guitar, “Buen Soldado” and “Entrevista” came from a very mystical and solitary place. I wrote them and then added more musical elements to them until I found the right balance of music and lyric. Those two are essentially more serious, folk songs, so it was evident that I couldn’t allow them to be really upbeat because it would distract from the importance of the lyrics. There always has to be that perfect balance and I make sure to take care of that very much.
The other songs are more about musical freedom. “Quiero verte mas”, for example, is a natural for upbeat, lusty decorations because lyrically, it’s a very flirtatious song. So there, I was able to play with something that was rhythmic in a simple way. For me it’s natural to put together these two different worlds where the dance tunes have an upbeat spirit, but the words are sad and submissive. It tends to happen with my music.
It’s an exciting way to think about songwriting because although you may try to gear it one way, the process carries it somewhere else if you allow it too.
Staying Indie
I am very into defending your musical project and not molding yourself into anyone else’s expectations. I don’t want someone to feed me a promising future without understanding my music and vision.
I can understand that many independent artists rush to accept the first offer that is waived at them because as an artist, you reach a cross road where you want to grow your music and need the help of others to get there. There’s a velocity in growth when you work with a team that helps you take care of all those other parts of the album like promotional strategies, and all you have to do is focus on making music.
It’s tempting. But it’s a decision that independent artists need to make. And it’s not that I’m against any type of support from a multinational label, simply that no opportunity with the right terms has come along and that’s the only reason why I’m still independent. There’s no linear formula to this. You have to be ok with whatever choice you make.
Touring independently
There’s a great toss up of in choosing this path. For one, when you tour you can’t play at big venues or appear on mainstream television shows, which in return means you won’t be viewed by the mass market. But at the same time, when you do it this way in a step-by-step manner, you learn to work with different people until you find the ones you trust. Eventually those people will ultimately be the ones that will help you get your music where you want it to be, because they know you, your music and have the same goal as you. It’s all about timing.
video uploaded by: franvalenzuelamusic
“Mujer. Musica. Movement.”
Right now is a great time to be a female artist. There is more visibility of intelligent, authentic women that are not following the formula of the “sexy, Latin chick”. I am very excited to share the stage with Carla Morrison, Pilar Diaz, Fernanda Ulibarri and DJ Pajaro at the “Mujer. Musica. Movement.” event because these are all very intelligent women that are proving that there is no shortage of female musicianship. I think that’s the importance of indie showcases such as this one, to show that there are real women making real music with deep content.
Right now, I’m excited for that show and to get back to California where I have a lot of friends I haven’t seen in a long time. I’ll be on tour there and in New York and Texas, with a show in Chile in September. I also can’t wait to play this new album live and to show my theatrical side, which can only be seen during my performances. I’m looking forward to being on the road and transporting people into a different time with my music. I want them to be moved the way I was moved when I was creating it. I hope people feel that in Buen Soldado and at the “Mujer. Musica. Movement.” event.
Buen Soldado 2011 Tour
August 26, 2011
Levitt Pavillion MacArthur Park
Los Angeles, CA
7:00p.m.
August 27, 2011
“Mujer. Musica. Movement.” at the Troubadour
West Hollywood, CA
8:00p.m.
August 28, 2011
Viva Los Dodgers at Dodger’s Stadium
Los Angeles, CA
12:00p.m.
More tour dates here. Hyperlink:
http://www.franciscavalenzuela.com/
