Today you can listen to a little something from Argentinian artist Florencia Andrada, but it’s just a taste of what’s to come in the new year! We talked with this talented, soulful songstress about her latest single, “El Imperio,” tasty sounds, and of course – what she has in store for 2022. A lot of great things are on the table, so pull up a seat!
Kendra: Did you come across music from the 60s and 70s thanks to older people around you, or were you watching old movies and TV shows and fell in love with the sounds of those eras?
Florencia Andrada: I think that movies are a huge part of it, but my approach to 60s and 70s music was gradual. First listening to the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and around 2003 I fell in love with Joss Stone’s first album. It was full of soul covers and by reading the names of those songs’ authors I got to know Aretha Franklin for example.
Then, because of the Rolling Stones, I started to study music in the Argentinian Blues School (the first of its kind in South America) and that was it: Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Soul…In 2008 I fell in love with Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back To Black’ and by reading an interview I found out about Daptone Records and Sharon Jones, so that was it.
Kendra: As for your style in the here and now, if you had to compare your upcoming 2022 LP to a traditional Argentinian dish, which would it be and why?
Florencia Andrada: That’s hard…Mostly because I’m vegan and all the traditional dishes are with animals. But one of my favorites is Mlanesa con Puré, in my case, the Milanese would be a Seitan one (Milanesa it’s a piece of meat or whatever you like the most, battered with breadcrumbs, cooked fried and Puré is mashed potatoes) The reason is that it’s crispy and soft at the same time. And changing it to a vegan dish completes the equation: it’s a committed album, with my feelings, my impressions of reality, and my life.
Kendra: Right now we can get a hint of what’s to come from that LP with your single, “El Imperio.” Its foundation is based on girl power and women sticking up for one another. As important as that is in everyday life, how important do you feel that is when it comes to the music industry?
Florencia Andrada: I think that’s the same in all work environments but in the music industry, it’s very accepted to be treated as a piece of meat and when you don’t want to show your body all the time or you get older. It’s much harder for women than for men to sustain their careers.
Kendra: As for the video for “El Imperio,” you had Tarantino on the mind. If you could redo the soundtrack for any of his films, which one do you feel you’d do the best?
Florencia Andrada: Uff, that’s too much for me, I don’t think I’m on that level, but just playing I think that ‘Jackie Brown’ would be the best for me.
Kendra: So you’re not alone on this musical journey, you have a great band backing you. How did you come together with them?
Florencia Andrada: I have been playing live as a solo artist since 2011 so many different musicians pass by during this year. But the one that’s always by my side is the guitar man and my partner in life, Julio Fabiani who is also my ally in producing the songs. We met in 2006 studying in the Blues School.
Kendra: Time for a side note…With the holidays coming up, I’m asking everyone this month, if you could ask Santa for one thing this year what would it be?
Florencia Andrada: Well, I’ll be selfish this time and I would like to ask for my album to come out on vinyl and a US tour.
Kendra: Okay, back to the music – with 2021 almost being over, what can people be on the lookout for as we head into the start of 2022?
Florencia Andrada: I have a new single coming out soon as another preview of the album…So stay tuned!
