Luz Casale allows it all. Because he wanted it and because he deserved it. And he captures it where he knows best, on an album, this ten-song album, as much as there are ways in which he has to understand the world, which he defines as the most unclassifiable of his career.
Allow yourself what?
Be as I am, with the attractive and the less interesting. Show your weaknesses, your obsessions, everything. In other words, having the honesty to not pretend, it’s not like I’ve ever done that before, right? There are a lot of people who think that those of us who dedicate ourselves to this world usually have several layers of makeup on. I do the opposite exercise: I take off all the masks and show myself as I am.
Why now?
Because you realize that the less attractive is also interesting, for example, on an artistic level. It is also interesting to show the ugly and vulgar. I’ve never been closely the opposite of who I am, but it’s about having the ease and honesty to show yourself as you are all the time. But without hurting. As the words say I’ll allow myself“I hope I’m not bothering you.” But, well, if there’s any kind of annoyance between you and me, I’m fine with it (laughs).
“There are many people who consider that those of us who devote ourselves to this world usually have several layers of makeup. And I do the opposite exercise: removing all the masks and showing myself as I am. And showing what is ugly and vulgar is also interesting.”
This can be done when a person is very confident in himself or knows that he no longer has to prove anything.
Absolutely, yes. Not having to make efforts to please the other person. If you are not comfortable, then you should leave. I know there are times in life when you have to make efforts, when you have to be nice when it’s not the case, but in the end, it’s all about avoiding lying.
What a lesson in honesty.
There is a way of being in my personality that is: “It is what it is.” If you don’t like it, leave me to my own devices. And it was always like this. I have never sung a song in my life that I didn’t feel. In order to express something in an honest way you have to take it as your own. You have to play the role, as a good actor who believes what he is playing does. I think that no matter how much experience I have accumulated on a professional level, I still have a lot left, and I don’t feel like I’m even halfway there. I strongly believe that. This makes me have a rebellious spirit and I don’t accept things just because. At least you have to ask yourself questions, right? Even if you almost know in advance that you won’t get a response.
“I have my own request, especially when you go beyond your most intimate world, yourself, which is to have the best face. But I’m not just referring to the physical aspect, but to be as kind or clever as possible.”
On the album she sings about not being perfect. Did they ask for it too much?
No, I have my own request, especially when you transcend your most intimate world, yourself, which is to have your best face. But I don’t just mean physically, I mean being as nice or smart as possible. I mean I like to show my best self. It’s like putting on makeup. When I leave my room, I usually put on lipstick. And I don’t draw them for him or her, I draw them for myself, but I always think that if someone sees me, I look great. I extend that to all areas of life. Showing my best self is my way of connecting with people. And when the worst in me comes out, well, what do we do about it?
Do you feel like you’ve broken too many glass ceilings?
I have no idea what it means to so many people. Maybe because I was always afraid that if I knew I was important to someone else, it would make me show off or raise my self-esteem. I started music at a very young age, and I’ve always tried to do what I’m doing now, to be as complete as possible, the best performer I can be, to grow as a writer, as a composer, and to dominate the studio. In short, grow professionally. Now, what I’ve done, if it’s helped other women do it easier, well, honestly, it seems obvious, but I don’t keep it as part of my backpack.
“I have no idea what I mean to a lot of people. Maybe it’s because I was always afraid that if I knew I was important to someone else, it would make me show off or boost my self-esteem.”
In fact, the album pays tribute to women in a certain way. What are your references?
These are from my childhood and pre-teen years, who were great artists. From Piaf to the girl with the combs, Concha Becquer, Janis Joplin, Amalia Rodriguez or Ella Fitzgerald. Or that moment. Women who are 28, like Ray, are impressively tough as musicians. Sometimes I think you learn from what you don’t like, don’t you? At the very least, it helps you say: “Not this, not this way.”
Do you like current music trends?
All genres have great things. Let’s see, it has always been like this, there will always be interpreters and proposals that interest you more or less or cause you to be rejected. I’m interested in knowing what’s there and what’s being heard. That is, to be in the present. It’s not that 20 years ago better songs were made, it depends on the genre, yes, but every generation needs its own music, its own aesthetics, its own language, and that is being ignored. I respect young people who dare, do, or imitate. I’m not interested. But I pay attention to what exists and certain phenomena, and I try to understand them, so I do not remain fixed.
“I know what I am capable of. That is why I know that there are current proposals that I will not be able to do in my life, because I will be incapable, or I will not have the facility or the talent.”
Do you dare anything?
I know what I’m capable of. That is why I know that there are current proposals that I will never be able to do in my life, because I will be unable, or I will not have the ease or talent. But this does not prevent you from listening to it, seeing it, or going to a certain concert.
However, it presents his most unclassifiable album.
He can’t be classified like me (laughs). Having a tag at the end is always a way to limit your freedom. I’m in music to be a free person and show what I want to share with others. The moment you’re a singer or musician, it’s as if it’s impossible for you to play any other genre. I have rejected that all my life and since the first album I have shown it clearly and without cutting a hair. When I recorded songs for Pedro Almodóvar’s film, a lot of people thought they were going to throw me to the crocodiles because I stopped making rock music. This doesn’t mean that I stopped making rock music, but rather that I expanded my way of making music.
“When I recorded the songs for Pedro Almodóvar’s film, a lot of people thought they were going to throw me to the crocodile for stopping making rock music. This doesn’t mean that I stopped making rock music, but rather that I expanded my way of making music.”
There are as many artistic layers as the faces in Luz Casal. Does one stand out above the other?
No, this is like asking who do you love more, my mother or my father. Some are obvious. Me, no. I, depending on what I want to express, choose one type or another. I use the ones I’m more or less good at and develop them based on what I want to say. Music gives you multiple possibilities and offers the kind of stylistic range that makes a singer like me move naturally.
Historian of everyday life, how do you see the world today?
Well, it needs to be improved. We may be living in the best period for humanity on a global level, but there are still the same problems as always, which are wars or huge differences between those who spend 300 thousand on a bag and those who do not have 300 thousand in their entire lives.
“Maybe we are living in the best period for humanity on a global level, but there are still the same problems as always, which are wars or huge differences between those who spend 300,000 on a suitcase and those who do not have 300,000 in their entire lives.”
A few months ago he was awarded the Marquess of Light and Peace. Does it make you lose focus?
I never lost my origins, and the effort my parents put in to provide me with a life that wasn’t really compatible with me, meaning access to many things that other boys and girls around me didn’t have. It’s like you’re starting at the bottom in your job, you value the effort and the camaraderie and so many things. If success appeared to me, for example, when I started going on stage, I would have gone crazy. I think not overlooking these kinds of things makes you humble and give importance to whatever life offers you that you like. In the case of awards, for example, it always seemed to me that I should be grateful for them, whether it was from an association with only a few members or a more important award.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is knowing that one of my songs was helpful to someone. This is the greatest success. Now, this success multiplied by several zeros, well, it’s pretty good and I think that’s what all the colleagues I know aspire to. In this profession, the music profession, where you need an audience, you always have the ambition to grow more and reach more people. But, for me, it starts with that person who says to you one day: “This song helped me get a drink.” This, to me, is success that brings gratitude. Saying: I did something that benefits someone! (He laughs).
“I never lost sight of my origins, and how hard my parents worked to provide me with a life that didn’t really fit me, meaning access to many things that other boys and girls around me didn’t have.”
What he did do is many songs that will live on forever. I stay with I will kiss the ground. You?
This is a truly performance song. I think that, along with I let you goone of the songs that, as a singer, as a performer, is considered the strongest in my musical collection. Maybe too A year of lovebut these two have a tear, for whatever reason, which looks good to me depending on the moment.
What will Rufino do now?
He’ll shake his ass for sure. I’ll go to all the urban concerts, and I’ll be a fan of the latest ones. Rufino It perfectly describes the kind of person who, without having a bad background, is a hummingbird and joins all existing trends. In other words, it defines well those characters that existed at the beginning of the 1980s, but can be extended to the present day. It’s still a song that people ask for and we gladly do it, because that’s why we’re on stage.
“Ruffino will be shaking now. He will go to all the urban concerts, and he will be a fan of the latest ones. Rufino perfectly describes the kind of person who, without having a bad background, is a hummingbird and joins all the trends that are out there.”
Casal almonds
- Born in Puimorto, A Coruña, María Luz Casal Paz is 67 years old and one of the most popular soloists of our country. Their album sales reach over 5 million between studio albums and compilations, with unforgettable songs like “Loca”, “I Let You March”, “I don’t Care at all” or “I will Kiss the Floor”. This year, King Felipe VI granted her the title of Marquise for being an advocate of culture and the arts. I beat breast cancer twice.
And you, will you take off your leather pants?
No, it’s complete, and it feels very powerful. Yes, I love them. Moreover, it helps me get more comfortable on stage. I love leather. My Chopella! My leather jacket nearby.