INTERVIEW: Coralcrown — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Coralcrown

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I have been investigating Coralcrown auteur Luis Gotor…

and asking about his move to the U.K. (Gotor was born in Spain). I learn more about the new track, Between the Lights, and what we can expect in the future. Coralcrown discusses the vintage sound of his music – and how he mixes that with modern ideals.

I learn more about his debut E.P., Birth (where his latest single is from), and the artists who inspire him; what gigs are coming up; if there is time away from music to detach and reflect – Coralcrown provides some handy advice for new artists.

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Hi, Coralcrown. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi! This is Luis. Feeling good! My week is been busy. Trying to get some time in-between my job to sit down and write some new music and ideas (locked in my bedroom).

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My name is Luis Gotor. I am from Spain. I moved to London in 2014 and, since then, I have been writing lots of music and trying to find my sound - coming from a bunch of different styles.

Can I ask where ‘Coralcrown’ came from? That name seems rather intriguing…

Haha, well, to be honest; I spent weeks trying to find a name...

I am terrible with that stuff and none of them convinced me...and then I asked Dani - the keyboardist - what he thought about a few and, with half of a name that I had he suggested (Coralcrow – ‘all together’); that’s it: one of the best gifts that I have ever had. At first, I felt a bit disappointed not be able to find the name by myself - but now I love it and I wouldn’t change it.

Between the Lights is out. Can you tell me about the story behind the song?

I think it was in a time when I felt a bit down and I needed a story to believe in love in a certain way. That kind of feeling when you want to be with someone and, when you get it, nothing else is important - and that becomes your unique and real world.

The production gives the song a vintage-cum-modern vibe. Was it important giving the song that balance and mix?

Wow, thanks. Well. It wasn’t premeditated really: my head gets bits from everywhere and makes its own mix. It seemed natural to me doing it that way. I love both and I think it’s rewarding to combine them.

The song is from your debut E.P., Birth. What sort of themes and ideas can we expect to see in the E.P.? Can you tease any others songs that will appear on it?

Birth is, you can figure from its name, all about a beginning.

It’s the start of all I want to share with people; it’s a selection of the songs that I think represented - by the time that I recorded it - the kind of sound that I wanted to show. They all are very dreamy and talk about desire. I haven’t thought much about it but, yeah, they all talk in a different way of wanting someone (in this or that way).

Whoever is coming out soon and it is a bit creepy but very true (not the murderer thing. God).

Luis. You started Coralcrown after the end of your former band. Was it quite hard transitioning from life in a band to a solo existence?

I was terrified at first with the idea of being alone and exposed - but it is a relief when nobody is stopping you and you can let flow all your ideas and, if you have to change everything a hundred times, you just do it and nobody is gonna get upset. Also, I must say, I am very particular (a pain) sometimes and I like to do things on my way.

There you go: pure honesty.

How important was London, and its nightlife, to your decision to keep going with music?

Well. When I first came, it all seemed a bit overwhelming because everyone was having fun and all these bands were playing gigs. I thought I wouldn’t be able to do that anymore but then, as time passed, I was feeling more and more excited about the idea of coming back. Then all my passion took over and I recovered the energy to pursue it.

Which artists did you grow up listening to? Did music arrive in your life early?

I grew up listening lots of Spanish bands (Pereza, ECDL...) at first and then I became more interested in English-speaking music. I used to listen to British and American Pop-Punk bands (Blink-182, Busted...) like every teenager in the 2000s - but then I discovered the R&B from the 1950s (Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley…) and the Pop from the 1960s (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones; Pink Floyd, The Who...) and that blew my mind and put me on the road to where I am now.

However, at this point, I am a bit obsessed with the Disco-Funk from the 1970s – especially the Synth-Pop from the 1980s.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

Yes. We’ll be at The Finsbury on 4th May presenting Birth. We can’t wait.

How important is the stage and performing live? Is there a big difference between your studio sound and live set?

I am extremely perfectionist and I like to work hard to get the best possible sound performing live.

I, personally, do like to notice the difference between studio and the live set when I go to gigs and I like to do it as well. But, at this early stage, we are happy to reproduce the songs as they are recorded.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

I’d like to play as much as we can, maybe in a few small festivals. Obviously, I’ll see people liking the songs and share them with their friends: I love the idea of the songs being passed by word-of-mouth.

Also, I am planning to record a few more songs at the end of the year.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

I do, and it is not a particular one: it is more a feeling that, when you are performing live with your friends (and musicians), there is a sort of magic and connection that is really addictive.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I’d say do not ever give up if you believe in it.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I don’t chill away much, really: it is a bit unhealthy and, yeah, I should. I should leave the cave more often than I do.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Me and Michael – MGMT