Exclusive Interview with 'ANDY ARNO'

Andrea Arno Jubert is a Spanish composer, singer, and musician who was born on March 20, 1991. When she was 21 years old, she made the decision to enroll in the “Escuela Taller de Blues in Barcelona,” where Marian Barahona and Jonathan Herrero taught her how to sing. Ivan Kovácevic’s musical language classes are also available. She was exposed to the origins of popular music during this time, which had the biggest artistic impact on her. They played at Poble Espanyol, the Via Jlia festival, and the FNAC of Las Arenas with the music school’s band. In her home studio, Andy started writing and recording her own songs three years later. Some of these songs now make up her debut album, “Through The Looking Glass,” which is being recorded by Locus Studio and distributed by Acqustic with a late 2022 release date. In July 2019, Andy released her debut single, “Tomorrow.” She was chosen to represent Sweden at the Punta del Este International Song Festival, which was held in December 2019 in Uruguay, thanks to this song. For musicians like African singer Moani, DJ Daddy Russell, Edu Eleck, and the upcoming video game “Light Spirits” by DoktorGames, she has written and provided the vocals for songs. She is currently working on the production of a house song that she and international recording artist Terri B! wrote and will release this summer.
Her most recent song, “Misanthropy,” is a grunge-inspired journey that sips from the boredom of a stupid and oppressive society and turns on her anger, sadness, and frustration. You’ll adore the psychedelic and electronic undertones that meld seamlessly with the other indie underground sounds of the 1990s. “Embrace our own darkness so that creativity flows” would be the message’s summary. Check out her latest single and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?
ANDY ARNO: I was born and raised in Barcelona city. I started singing at the age of 5 imitating the singers I used to listen at home… my parents had an amazing vinyl collection. My mum used to listen to Pop and R&B artists such as Usher, Aaliyah, Madonna. My dad listened to folk and rock music; Dire Straits was his favorite band so I grew up listening to an interesting variety of music genres. Then, at the age of 20, I decided to study music at “Taller de Blues” in Barcelona. I attended voice lessons and musical language afterwork for three years. I knew that music was my passion so after a painful break-up at the age of 25 I set up a home studio and started recording my own songs. Until today!.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
ANDY ARNO: I studied Blues music at “Taller de Blues” in Barcelona and was taught voice lessons from master Fernando Bañó and soul/blues artists Marian Barahona and Jonathan Herrero. My grandma Mita taught me piano lessons at an early age and I self-learned guitar at the age of 26, but I still have a ways to go before I can say that I master any instrument other than the voice.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘ANDY ARNO’?

ANDY ARNO: I have to say that Madonna made a big impact on me as a child; I could feel her transgression by that time with songs such as “Like a Prayer” or “La Isla Bonita”. But the first time I listened to Nirvana, Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin something lit up inside me… it was a “before and after”. I really enjoy the sound of pop and the soul of rock music. Regarding to my artistic name, well, it would be my English real name; an English friend of mine used to call me “Andy”, and I really liked it. Arno is my real surname.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
ANDY ARNO: As a songwriter, I have always been conscious and careful of the importance and power of the message of a song. It is the main basis for me. So I try to hit to the soul dreaming of a better world and criticizing the modern society we live in without forgetting to keep a catchy, pop structure that people want to sing to. I would say my lyrics are subtle, romantic punk poems to transform society. About the sound: I think “we” have a unique indie sound made up infinite music influences; Blues and electronic nuances, for example. I use the term “we” because my music wouldn’t exist without the mastery and help of the brilliant musicians of my band; Walter Paniagua (guitar), Agus Montero (bass), Juan Barceló (drums) and Héctor Rodríguez (keyboards).

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as INDIE?
ANDY ARNO:
I used to grab a hairbrush and imitate Madonna and Christina Aguilera when I was a child. My grandma still keeps recorded cassettes from that time. When I grew older, I discovered blues musicians such as Sister Rosetta and Chuck Berry whom impacted in my personality and make me more mature in music terms. When I began composing I was using free music samples from the internet, so I went from R&B and Soul to Pop. Some years ago I was recording Pop music, but I didn’t feel 100% comfortable with it; I felt like I kinda set aside my soul by that time. Then the coronavirus crise came which forced me to sit down, listen to myself and do things my own way. I have always found myself in the harsh, difficult times. The question is: What is indie music? For me, is the freedom of mixing styles, changing beats in the same song… to be myself at the end of the day without being afraid of it.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
ANDY ARNO:

I am and will always be deeply involved in considering and using music as a powerful vehicle to say something. Spreading a meaningful message is the main role of an artist. Look at Nina Simone; she was involved in social movements for black people and she contributed to change people’s mind somehow with her music. Music hits the subconscious mind directly, that’s why it is a very powerful tool. In my opinion, today’s society lost culture itself. We don’t have cultural movements that stand for people’s rights anymore nor strong values that help individual’s personal and spiritual development. I align with psychoanalytic philosopher Slavoj Zizek in these terms and most of my lyrics talk about these topics.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
ANDY ARNO:

I invested countless hours and efforts in the past to create, share and collaborate with other people. But I am satisfied with the learning and happy of my achievements up to day. Music is my life and I enjoy the whole process of my career; focusing on the present to achieve more goals in the future.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

ANDY ARNO:

Melodies are my starting point most of the times. A deep emotion, a new place I visit or my reflective thinking towards some social problem may inspire me. There is no limits for imagination; I trust my intuition and let it flow. Then I record the first ideas with my cell phone. My mind relates different ideas, so I use to get fast lyrics from the start. The starting songwriting point is the part I enjoy the most because of the involvement of creativity. Afterwards, I sit down in silence and loneliness, I grab my guitar and I start building the song; writing its structure. When I have a recorded draft, I give to my band members and we share more ideas and sounds. The process is always very organic and natural. It’s important that both the subconscious and rational processes of making a song flow from the beginning. Otherwise, I keep the ideas in the drawer for later. You never know.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

ANDY ARNO: The loss of my father when I was a child is the most difficult experience I have had to deal with to be a whole person. Also, the music business is difficult because people with suspicious intentions approach you, specially when you are on the right way. I have had bad experiences with individuals and agencies in the industry. But I always try to learn from the bad and it’s part of the way.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

ANDY ARNO: I am delighted to have the responsibility of creating and managing my own music. And to refer technical, artistic matters to other professionals in whom I choose to trust. I am surrounded by people (my band, my boyfriend), who believe in me blindly, as I do for my music. Love is and will always be my engine, so I am thankful. As a professional experience, I highlight my participation at the “Festival Internacional de la Canción de Punta del Este” which allowed me to live an amazing time enjoying music and being surrounded by exceptional artists and professionals.

Thank you so much for your time. It’s been a pleasure to open myself personally and artistically with you :)