Serenades From Salamanca -

Friday February 07, 2014

From The Desk Of Castle Skull & Bones 2014 Interview Series, #1

Luis Ullán

by e.V.


From writing shorts stories when he was 8 super talented Spanish singer-songwriter, Luis Ullán has progressed to releasing 3 full length albums. His music - melodic, romantic and passionate - features strong storytelling which landed the Salamancan troubadour on CKCU's top 50 albums for his debut “Heart”.   Ullán's last release “How I Murdered Our Love” made my top album picks for 2013.  He opened up to me about Twiggy Ramirez, Iron Maiden, indie musicians, what it's like to be a songwriter - and a (very young!) grumpy old man.  His new single Emma dropped just today! this You can hear it after the interview. -eVie

1. Hey Luis! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview. How are you doing?

Thank you for having me, it's a pleasure. I'm doing fine, pretty excited about the upcoming stuff and working hard on my vocals. I have discovered a new world of possibilities thanks to my producer and I am as happy as a little kid with new toys...

2. For people who may not have heard your music - or may have heard only a song or two, please describe your music - and name 2 of your songs for people to listen to first, just to get an idea of where you are coming from as a musician.

My music is based on acoustic guitar and melodic vocals, all mixed with electronic rhythms and rough screams every now and then, depending on the meaning of the song or the passion that it has inside. Furthermore, I'm experimenting what could happen if I did some rap in little verses. Let's see what happens...

[Since Luis didn't name any songs of his, I will “Always Be A Poet, Even In Prose“ {from his sophomore album 'How I Murdered Our Love'} and “Evil Seems To Be“ and “The Mist” {from the debut LP “Heart”}]

3. What is happening with your latest release, your new single that's coming - I believe it's called Emma?

My last release is a very, very special song to me. It means the beginning of a new period of my life. I have just uploaded the official music video. Spent 2 hours editing it, it's the first time I do something like this by myself so I am very excited. I was telling you that this song is very important to me, but not only because of the way it came out, but also because it has been something that has healed my inner self in many ways. “EMMA” means having a dream, fighting for it and breaking your bones to achieve it. It doesn't matter how long the pain lasts until you get to the top of that dream.

4. What are your favorite genres and what drew you to them? Do you have a genre you enjoy that might shock others given the genres you typically play?

My favorite genres are... Well, this may surprise you, but I love metalcore, screamo and hardcore music, heavy, trash and other types of metal. I grew up with Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson and Metallica as my “holy trinity”. The fact that I make acoustic music or love songs is something that I have always done. I am a very sentimental person in many ways, and there was a time when I had to let all those feelings out. And music was the only way.

5. How long have you been playing and what instruments do you play? Do you have a favorite one? And what instrument do you play that you wish you did and why?

This is very funny... I started playing guitar. Had one single lesson on my entire life. I learned three chords: Em, C and Am. And I hated that instrument because I thought it sucked, so I bought an electric bass and I started to play, inspired by Twiggy Ramirez (former M.Manson bass player). After that I picked my guitar (again) and started making songs. Needless to say, I apologized to my guitar because of leaving her behind years ago, you know ;)

6. When and how did you first know you wanted to be a musician? What is most difficult about being a musician and songwriter today, in your opinion?

Actually I think I felt that I wanted to become a musician when I was 12 or so... Inspired by an Iron Maiden song: “Prowler”. The first song of the first Iron Maiden record ever. I loved everything about those guys and I thought “I want to do this. Period”. Not because of the fame or anything like that... but because of the feeling that it produced me. It was something really astonishing. Very, very uplifting. And nowadays I still feel that about music.

About the hardest part of being a songwriter... I guess that everyone tries to put us (songwriters) into very specific genres, like folk, country... but they should see more than the stereotype. There are huge songwriters that mix acoustic elements with dubstep, rap, funky... or even heavy metal!

Another rough part is to be a “one-member enterprise”, I mean, being on my own doing my songs and all that... It feels great, but at the time of promoting my work it is hard as hell... Specially because I am nobody on the music business... yet (hopefully!)

7. Pretend your child (if you don't have one, your youngest brother, sister, niece, nephew or godchild) wants to become a musician - what would be your advice to them?

I wouldn't give him/her any advice, I would just support my child with all my heart. I would invest passion, time, love and money if necessary. I would believe in him/her since the beginning, and I would make sure that they knew that. And I would be right at their side when they stopped believing that they can make it. I would be there for them, no matter what. Now change all those “would”s for “will”s... Because someday I will tell that to my little kids!

8. Please recommend some bands for listeners and fans to check out.

Please listen to this guy whose surname is unpronounceable... What was his damn name? Oh yes, Luis Ullán. He has some nice songs. Ok, old ones might be shitty, but the new stuff is getting epic! Nah, just kidding. Guys, please, support unsigned musicians. With your help they could achieve their dreams. You are the most important part of our music.

9. What are your 3 favorite albums and foods? Besides music what are you passionate about?

Albums: I would say that Love Metal is my favorite one, but it depends on which kind of music I'm listening at the moment... But anyways, I think this would be a very precise ranking:

1- Love Metal (HIM)
2- Sempiternal (Bring Me The Horizon)
3- D.R.U.G.S (Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows)

Foods (in no particular order):

1- Pizza
2- Paella (My mom cooks the best paella of the entire universe. For real.)
3- Chocolate. In all its forms and colours.

Other passion? Cats. And I don't even have one, so I guess I suck at that hobby.

10. What is the weirdest or funniest thing that happened to you when on tour?

Buying shots for a whole pub just before a concert with the other guy I was playing with that night. We ended up broke because the bill was just insane. And we went back home kinda drunk, dragging our guitars, laughing... but with empty wallets because we have spent 200 euros on shots for some cool strangers. Neat.

11. What else you would like to share with fans and listeners/readers?

Please guys come listen to my lastest single “EMMA”. Here's the link. There is my passion. http://youtu.be/63Y0RAMepYo

Thank you for reading this. And sorry if it has been boring. Sometimes I feel like a cranky old man telling some stories about... well, whatever..  Thanks! Love you all.

You're way to young to be and old cranky dude.  Thank you so much, Luis.  A real pleasure to hear form you. And good luck on your latest release, Emma! :-)  -evie for e.V.'s Underground

Here is Luis's brand new single, Emma.