Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Juan Clavell
Juan Clavell is an artist from Buenos Aires — a keyboardist, singer, and songwriter. In 2022, he released his first album Los Sin Rostro, influenced by Argentine national rock but infused with elements of pop, folk, and modern jazz. He is currently producing and recording his new material, which will be released soon.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Since very little both my father and mother used to sing and play songs all the time. I luckily had a skilled ear since child and began to play the piano by ear as soon as I started to recognize sounds. I remember having my first music trips listening to “Fito Paez” when I was about 4 or 5 years old.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I always had an impulse to create. Loved to play making stuff when I was little, so making my own music was something I began to do as soon as I realized it was possible. I think it was my big brother who first composed something that I liked when I was very little and I thought it was awesome to be able to do that, so I began to try.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I had numerous bands that for diverse reasons always ended breaking up. At some point I thought that trying to make a human group work was making it difficult for me to just sit and create the music… So I thought, okey, I’ll have my soloist thing and see what happens. Here I am
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I think I sound like a very personal version of lots of your favorite music. I like to play many genres, so you may listen to some Radiohead, some Beatles, some The Weeknd, some Parcels, some Orange Rex County, some Maroon 5…. Even some hip hop. But everything through my personal lens which I think it’s really worth giving a try.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Maybe when I began to write music to really proccess difficult moments of my life. Before I began writing about things that made me sad, worried, happy, etc… I had mainly my theoric approach to making music. But since it began a way to channel my emotions and I became sincere to myself about what I was needing to do with music, all my tables turned.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Nowadays my keyboards and Ableton. But anything that makes me create has its own importance.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’m really into Parcels nowadays.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
They made me a songwriter instead of a pianist or mere composer.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Every song has its own theme. But I think that mainly I have this personal war on social media and cellphone relationships that I think are really toxic in many ways, so mainly real relationships, real connection with people its my main flag. And connection with deep emotions, fears, hopes and dreams, with a huge sense of identity and respect to whatever one is.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
The importance of sharing. Playing with different people, in different countries from all around the world, sharing the deep love to music has made me really feel like a part of something bigger. But not as a concept, but as an action. Playing, singing, clapping, whatever you do with others musically it’s an instant bonding human action.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I’m not sure. I’d really love to have people singing my music with me, whatever the venue is. That’s my main dream.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
If having a feat with the Rolling Stones was actually something possible I’d really turn to rockandroll forever
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links, also add a Youtube link that will appear below the interview)
https://www.youtube.com/@juanclavell
https://www.instagram.com/juan.clavell
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I’m about to release a new album and I’d really love to tour mainly. To connect with people from different places
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
Maybe that I’m a very sensitive person that loves music and tries to make the world a little bit better by sharing some of what came inside me to the world. But mainly I’d love to have listeners discovering music that really thrills them.
