By: Lisa Steinberg
Photo By Matías Fiumani
Q) Your music is sort of a mix between pop and Latin, but how would you describe your sound?
A) My music today is a reflection of who I am and the fact that I’m no longer holding anything back. Everything I feel and everything I want to say, I express through my music. I feel like the fusion of pop and rock gives me the freedom and energy to do exactly that.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) Christina Aguilera, David Bisbal and Malú are my three biggest musical influences right now. I really admire the power and emotion behind their songs, as well as their incredible stage presence. They all have a unique way of connecting with their audience and that’s something that truly inspires me as an artist.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Esperando.”
A) “Esperando” is the song that gave me the courage to stop staying silent. I’ve learned that I don’t need to argue or explain myself through words when I can express everything through music. In a way, this song is my answer to so many questions I’ve been asked in the past. It’s about finally finding my voice and letting my music speak for me.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think it’s a story that could happen to anyone. The emotions and situations behind the lyrics are something many people can relate to. I believe that’s what makes the connection so special: people can see themselves and their own experiences reflected in the song.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) The music video is literally a day in my life, sharing my story with my girlfriends. A little wine, long conversations, tears and all those emotions that come with opening your heart to the people you trust the most. I wanted it to feel real and natural, because that’s exactly how I experienced it.
Q) You have such a dynamic ability to your songwriting. What is your process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) I always start with the lyrics. Sometimes I’m cooking or driving and a phrase suddenly comes to mind that I really love. I write it down and let it sit for a few days. Then, I start building the rest of the story around those words. Sometimes it’s something I’ve personally experienced and other times I take that one phrase and imagine an entire story around it, almost as if I were living it myself.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) I’m very involved in every step of the process, from writing the lyrics to recording the guitars. Even though I have an amazing production team, they always make sure I’m part of every creative decision. Every sound, every instrument and every detail goes through me because it’s really important that the final result represents who I am as an artist.
Q) With “Esperando” out now, is this a prelude to a full album or an EP?
A) “Esperando” is just the beginning of a very exciting new chapter. It’s the first step toward an upcoming EP filled with beautiful songs that I can’t wait to share with everyone. There’s so much more music coming, and I’m really excited for people to discover what’s next!
Q) You appeared on shows like “Es Mi Sueño” and “The Voice.” What did those experiences teach you or lessons you learned as an artist that have carried with you?
A) Both experiences taught me a lot, but “Es Mi Sueño,” being the most recent one, had a particularly special impact on me. It taught me how to connect with people on a deeper level and helped me truly define my musical identity as an artist. I feel like that experience played a huge role in shaping the artist I am today.
Q) What can fans expect from a live Ailen performance?
A) Right now, I’m introducing my new live show, “Entre Nosotros” (Between Us), which is all about creating an intimate and personal experience. The idea is to make people feel like they’re sitting in my living room, listening to me sing, just like I’ve done so many times on social media, but this time with everyone right there in front of me. It’s about sharing stories, having a glass of wine, enjoying great music, and creating a genuine connection with the audience.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) I really love performing in intimate venues where people can sit back, enjoy the music and truly connect with what I’m singing. For me, it’s not always about the size of the stage, but about the connection you create with the audience. Those are the moments when music becomes something much deeper and more personal.
Q) You’ve shared the stage with the likes of Abel Pintos, El Puma Rodriguez and Angela Leiva. Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) Beyond having had the opportunity to share the stage with incredible artists, I would absolutely love to take it a step further and write an original song together. Abel Pintos, Luciano Pereyra and David Bisbal are three artists I’d love to collaborate with. I really admire their music and I think creating something together would be an amazing experience.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Nathy Peluso. I really admire her versatility and the way she blends different musical genres so naturally. I feel that once I’ve fully established my own sound, I’d love to experiment with other genres in that same way, especially salsa. I’ve also been listening to Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez and I can already imagine bringing some of their musical influences into my own sound in the future. I love the idea of exploring new styles while staying true to who I am as an artist.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) First of all, I want to thank everyone who has been supporting me since the very beginning of my journey. And to those who have recently discovered my music, thank you for giving me the opportunity to become a little part of your lives through my songs. It truly means the world to me. I promise there’s so much beautiful music on the way, and I have a feeling you’re going to love what’s coming next!