Anabel Valencia "Frutos de mi voz"
Anabel Valencia talks to us in an exclusive interview about her premiere at the Festival de Jerez "Los Frutos de mi voz".
We chatted with the cantaora after the pandemic and the success of her show "Frutos de mi voz", which premiered at the Festival de Jerez and can be enjoyed at ALL FLAMENCO.
A.F.- How have you handled the last year and have you completely recovered your rehearsal/performance rhythm?
A.V.-The year 2021 has been complicated for all of us, but it's true that from April, when we started working, we haven't stopped. Last summer we did more performances than in previous years, people were looking forward to it?
A.F.- Has this break been a turning point in your career?
A.V.- Well, when you stop, you always learn to value things and see them in a different way, and I think that I, like all my colleagues, have given more importance to what we have and we have taken it with more enthusiasm.
A.F.- How do you see the future of flamenco after the pandemic?
A.V.- Well, I think that everything will return to its natural state, and let's hope that the public bodies will support our art a little more and that we can all move forward together.
A.F.- Have you ever thought of devoting yourself to anything other than flamenco?
A.V.- The truth is that in my beginnings I started out doing more fusion flamenco, and in the end I realised that what I wanted was to be a cantaora (flamenco singer). My progress has been the opposite of everyone else's, I started out more modern and time has been taking me to my place, to go back and focus on myself as a cantaora.
to go back and focus on being an orthodox cantaora.
A.F.- What moment in your artistic career do you remember the most?
A.V.- We have had many anecdotes in all these years of my career, I have been able to share the stage with many artists that I love and admire, and that has made me very happy, it would be impossible for me to keep just one moment.
A.F.- What does it mean to you to perform at the Festival de Jerez?
A.V.- A dream come true that has taken us many years of effort. It's an enormous illusion to arrive at such an important festival, without being from Jerez, and to be given a place like I have been given. I'm sure it's going to be an unforgettable night.
A.F.- What do you want to transmit to the audience with "Frutos de mi voz"?
A.V.-This show is a bit of a journey through everything I've done so far. Nowadays I feel more mature to face an hour and a half of vocals in which I can share my experiences and reap the fruits of so much effort.
A.F.- Bulerías, seguiriyas, soleás, tangos... Which is the palo you like to sing the most?
A.V.-I enjoy all of them, but the seguiriya is where I find myself the most.
A.F.- How do you feel about sharing your performances with your brother Juan Diego?
A.V.-Well, if he's not there I can't sing, haha. I am made for him, he is a very important pillar in my personal life as well as in my artistic life.
A.F.- Who are your references in flamenco?
A.V.-I have many, of course La Niña de Los Peines I think she is a reference for all the generations after her. Of course El Lebrijano is a huge source of inspiration for me, and without a doubt, Fernanda de Utrera drives me crazy.
A.F.- What about other musical styles?
A.V.- I'm very focused on flamenco and I don't really want to get out of it at the moment. But of course I like other styles like jazz or soul, although honestly I always end up playing my own.
A.F.- After Jerez, what are your plans for this year?
A.V.- Jerez is going to be the turning point this year, it's going to be where we start this year's performances, which I can already confirm will take us to places like Burgos, San Fernando, Tomares, Doña Mencía... of course I'll be in Lebrija and God willing on many more stages, I'm expecting a lot from this year.