Following the success of his E.P. last year Juan Zelada is back with his debut single Breakfast in Spitalfields as well as an album on the horizon.
I caught with the Spanish born singer - songwriter to talk about his new record and his time in Abbey Road recording studio.
- Your new single Breakfast in Spitalfields will be released here in the UK later this summer so can you tell me a little bit about the single?
Its basically me whistling back home with a hangover, having an English fry-up as the only thing on my mind! The song kind of wrote itself by the time I got home.
- And how would you describe your sound to people who are finding your music for the first time?
Soulful happy tunes with the influence from the greats from the 60s and 70s. Mix a bit of bluesyness into that, and its still probably not the right explanation!
- There's also an album on the way so what can you tell me about that?
A rollercoaster experience into life in and out of amazing studios. we had the privilege to record at Rockfield Studios in Wales as well as Metropolis and Abbey Road in London, not bad for an unsigned band with just some tunes!
There's a whole depth and story to the songs in that album that we're really proud of, the ups and downs of life in the eyes of a guy away from home.
- What effect do your Spanish roots have on the music you write?
There's a percussive rhythmic thing to it all, but at the moment the influences are more English-based. Spanish roots help to have a good time for sure and that comes across in the shows I'm sure.
- I read that your father's music collection of Jerry Lee Lewis and The Beatles was an early inspiration for you so what was is about these artists that inspired you so much?
Jerry Lee Lewis knew how to have a good time, and The Beatles wrote a decent melody or two didn´t they?
My father's vinyls introduced me to soulful music and tasty musicians all around. Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" came a close second!
- You studied at the Liverpool institute for Performing Arts so how did that help you develop as an artist?
It was great to know the ins and outs of the music industry but particularly to get confident in the gigging scene and learning things live and in the studio.
Mixing with great musicians from all walks of life was a bonus too. everything learnt there happened outside LIPA.
- The new album saw you record in Abbey Road so how was that experience?
Good coffee. I believe management stole coffee mugs! it still sends shivers down my spine......nerve-wracking, and a play on "lady Madonna's" upright piano was a highlight. amazing!
- You have been compared to the likes of Jack Johnson - so what do you think of those comparisons? Does it put you under more pressure to produce a good record?
Not really. We do our thing, and I guess everyone takes influences from everywhere. we leave the comparisons for others, although these are always flattering remarks, get me on a surf board and that's where the similarities end.
- What sort of music/artists are you enjoying listening to at the moment?
Anna Calvi has an awesome album. Noah and the Whale are dong exciting things I reckon, the whole Adele phenomenon is a breath of fresh air for many music "experts" to look at.
- And are there any tour plans?
We'll be touring in the UK in June and July and there are some dates in Spain in the summer as well as our regular monthly residency at the Troubadour every last Friday of the month, at Earls Court, London!
- Finally what's next for you?
There's a single launch to think about and a second one to come later this year. this and getting my bikram yoga chops up, I still look silly.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw