Raul Malo Interview: SXSW 2010

Life is all about balance for Raul Malo, brilliantly exemplified in his new album, 'Sinners & Saints.' While fans will be wandering the streets of Austin, Texas with copious amounts of alcohol in their systems, Malo will be singing about the ills of life's excesses and the beauties of life's miracles, as he takes the stage at SXSW. Malo talked with Spinner about his influences, his new album and his favorite super-hero.

How would you describe your sound?

That's the hardest thing in the world for me to answer. I incorporate so many influences in my music. I grew up listening to and loving all kinds of music. I didn't stick to one thing. I'm doing this new album 'Sinners & Saints' in English, and I have a Spanish album coming, too. I just do a lot of different things.

What can fans expect from 'Sinners & Saints'?

It's a concept record, really. I wrote most of the songs for it. It's a reflection of how I see life and that eternal struggle between good and evil and that duality that makes the world go around. That's the yin and the yang. You can't have too much yang, or it throws everything off. They have to balance each other out, and that's the overall theme of the album. That makes it different from my other albums, because I've never done a concentrated theme like that.

Speaking of good and evil, who is your favorite super hero?

It would have to be Batman. He's kind of a freak. He comes out at night. He has that duality. Plus, he's got the coolest gadgets in the world. He had to be inventive and creative to come up with these weapons. He doesn't have the physical attributes that Superman or Aquaman has. He had to use his mind and physical prowess. I also like that you have to kind of be a geek to like that stuff.

What's your biggest vice?

I don't really have vices. I like to party and have a drink every once in a while. But it doesn't consume me. It doesn't ruin my life. I still get my work done. See, a vice to me is something that kind of takes over. It has a negative connotation, and I don't have anything like that in my life.

Who are some of your musical influences?

They're as varied as anything. I remember listening a lot to Elvis and Johnny Cash. But I also remember listening to Pavarotti and Etta James, James Brown and anything else I can listen to.

What made you want to start making music?

Just a love of music. I think that's the best reason for doing it, because you never know how it's going to turn out. You never know if it's going to be successful. So you really have to love music to do it right.

David Dennis, Jr. is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.