Amaral Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Feb 18th 2010 3:26PM by Rob Needham
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Spanish pop duo Amaral will be making their first SXSW performance this year, and will bring a unique style of pop and folk rock fused with Latin beats and strong, emotional vocals. Having sold more than two million copies of their seven albums over the last 12 years, Amaral is by no means a new kid on the block, but their SXSW appearance will hopefully be a watershed moment for them in the US. Spinner recently spoke to both Eva Amaral and Juan Aguirre about their musical philosophy and their plans for SXSW and beyond.

Describe your sound in your own words.

It's not easy to describe, but I like to think there are four important factors to our sound. First is the sense of folk and rock from the '60s. Second is English pop from the '90s, recognizing influences from bands like the Smiths or Jesus and Mary Chain. Third is traditional Spanish music, the music we listened to in our parents' house as children. Fourth is generally European music that's not known in America. French music, Italian, maybe even Flamenco. Eva is the singer and writes many of the songs, and she is a very emotional woman, so we make music with emotional intensity. Another key to our sound is Juan's great sense of melody that comes a lot from his love of '60s music.

How did your band form?

We formed the band in Zaragosa, our home town in the northeast of Spain. Eva and I first met in a little recording studio. It was in the back of a pub in the city where bands would go to record demos. She was there with her band, and I was there to play some guitar for them. We began playing covers & in little clubs for friends. We didn't ever imagine at the time that it would become a serious big project!

What are your musical influences?

When I earlier mentioned the Smiths, or others like R.E.M., Dinosaur Jr., I talk about the bands we love, but I don't think we are thinking of these bands when we create or play our music. Our sound is a direct reflection of our own thoughts and feelings, and we never try to imitate another band. We love music in general, and we find that it all influences us. Still, you will hear the influence of the types we love including the traditional Spanish and Europen music.

How did you come up with your band name?

Juan chose that. It is [my] surname. He loved the sound of it and felt like it sounded mysterious.

What's your biggest vice?

Chocolate, but not much else. If I had some cooler vices, I would tell you!

What's in your festival survival kit?

The thing is, I want to see all the bands that I can, and so I'm bringing as little as possible so I can be very light and mobile. Anything else I need I will just buy in Austin. I'll also bring some empty baggage so I can bring SXSW and Austin stuff back to Zaragoza.

Juan is described in biographies as the group's "composer." What role does Eva play in writing/arranging your music?

It's really an even mix on that. Since the beginning, we always wrote the songs together. Sometimes more one of us than the other. We both arrange the songs together. It all happens naturally.

What's your musical guilty pleasure? What's hiding on your iPod?

Eva: Lots of Frank Sinatra, Carole King, and Simon and Garfunkel right now. I also love the Raveonettes and the XX.

Juan: I'm very fond of Dominique A, a French songwriter and singer. I also love the brand new album from the Eels.

Beatles or Stones?

The Kinks beat them both. If I have to choose one though, I'd say I have more favorite albums from Beatles -- 'Revolver,' 'Rubber Soul.'

You have done a few interesting collaborations with the likes of Bob Dylan and Moby. Do you plan to pair up with any artists during your SXSW appearance?

We love to play with different people, especially if their sound is quite different from Amaral's. It's a great way to grow as artists. We don't have plans with pairing up at SXSW, but it could happen. We like for those things to come together naturally, so we don't like to force it.

Rob Needham is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.