Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview JUZU
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memory connected to music is my dad playing guitar and singing to me and my older sister. In his younger days he was also a solo artist, so I have vague memories of him performing live. Later, when I was 11 years old, I traveled by car from Cuenca to Quito in Ecuador to see my cousin graduate from a really good school. My uncle gave me an MP3 player with all the songs he loved. That’s when I discovered Café Tacuba, Bob Marley, Molotov, The Beatles, Mercedes Sosa, and others.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Ever since I was a kid, I had melodies in my head. In high school, some kids made fun of me because I sang out loud, and it was weird for them to see me singing to myself. I also remember a project with my dad where we made a song inspired by Calle 13. My cousin told me I sounded like Calle 13 and I didn’t like that, so I
stopped. I’ve always been an advocate for being original, and that comment threw me off because I didn’t want to sound like anyone else.
When I was around 23, I started recording myself jamming. I would play chords and sing over them, but I didn’t have a clear structure for making a song. I held back because I felt like I wasn’t ready. I think I was waiting for a signal, but you are the signal. Four years passed, and when I turned 27, I said, “I can’t live another year without releasing this song. I’m going to do it.” And I did. Once I started, it was really hard to let go.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I have a lot of projects on the way, but almost every song I make is a personal challenge to dive into the unknown. With “17,” it was mostly about incorporating indigenous sounds like the quena and charango into something outside their usual context. I wanted to fuse them with something more dynamic like pop, ska, or rock. Those instruments are sometimes forgotten or categorized into one lane. I wanted to break that norm and dare to do something new.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music?
It’s full of passion, love, sadness, and happiness. Sometimes it makes you want to drive with the windows down, other times you want to run around and dance. It’s a mix of feelings, but overall, it makes you feel really good.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I’ve learned to be patient. Sometimes I look for an immediate result just because I have the idea in my head and I know how much we could do. But things take time. Through the process, you understand why it takes time and what can change to make the song better.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I try to keep my setup as minimal as possible. I use my acoustic or electric guitar, the Voice Memos app, and Google Docs for lyrics. For software, I sometimes use Logic or Ableton. I tried Pro Tools, but it’s too complex. For creative work, I feel it’s better to simplify the process.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Los Retros, Little Jesus, and Ambar Lucid.
But to be fair, I’ve also been digging some Beatles songs like “In My Life”, “A Day in life”
& “Don’t Let me down”
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
A lot of my songs are memories and feelings from my love life. I’m a deeply sensitive person.
I don’t express that through tears but through art. And people relate to my lyrics when they sing them.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Some songs are about losing love, some about celebrating love, some about nostalgia, and others about friendship. I hope listeners find something in my music that makes them feel a bit of what I felt when I created it.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far? Never give up. Live through passion so passion can live through you.
And when you perform, make sure people really see you.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at? I’m not really sure, but maybe Coachella or Lollapalooza.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Paul McCartney, Juanes, Residente (Calle 13), Natalia Lafourcade, Catriel & Paco Amoroso.
Where can listeners follow and support your music?
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I want to create more music, travel, tour, keep performing, keep growing, and keep creating.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That I’m actually really cool and crazy talented in other things things creatively:)
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