Tell us about your latest single, “Defeat.” What should listeners expect from it?
“Defeat” is the centerpiece of “Songs for the Fall of an Empire.” A rock opera about the history of debt I’ve been working on since 2009. Its a big multimedia endeavour. The project has at its core a timeline of the history of interest and the concept of debt from Aristotle to the present day. In that timeline, Defeat explores the rise of the Military Industrial Complex and the 2 World Wars. What we call the Century of perpetual war.
On its own I’d say “Defeat” is your straight ahead antiwar march, minus the unrealistic hope and hyper aware that unless you’re personally filling your pockets with it war is a lose/lose for the rest of us. Musically… its full of stellar performances starting with the rhythm section:Tony Escapa on drums and Bermudo on bass have great moments through out. Bermudo also shares singing duties with me. Our voices together make a sound I like quite a lot. The song also features a vocal choir which deliver that final “All we can say is give peace a chance?” line. I love that eerie sound of a children’s choir as well.
“Defeat” was mixed by Bob St. John (Extreme/Duran Duran/Collective Soul)
You mention John Lennon in your latest press release. Was he an influence on your music? Who are some of your other influences?
Sure. Im a Beatles enthusiast of the highest order so Lennon is part of my musical DNA as much as he can be. Im a sucker for a good melody. Got into songwriting through Bryan Adams when I was 14. Mostly obsessed with British Rock. Radiohead, Oasis, Pink Floyd, Police. Some French..Daft Punk, Justice, Air…I’d say my 2 favorite songwriters are Antonio Carlos Jobim and Paul Simon.
How has being from Puerto Rico influenced your music? How is the music scene there?
Puerto Rico is a place where the Anglo and the Spanish worldviews clash with particular intensity. We talk miles for somethings but we sell gasoline in liters. Its one the most evangelized(protestant) places per square mile and it also has a catholic church in the middle of every town. I think coming from a place like that, being bilingual and bi cultural gives you extra powers that I value a lot and allow me to be creative in 2 languages and do what I do today. The music scene here is as vibrant as you might expect. Not only for the genres we are known most for. There is also much music in other styles including Rock n Roll. Maybe too much for its own sake. I always say I estimate Puerto Rico is the place with most rock bands per square mile on planet Earth.
Any plans to record a full length album? If so, when? Where? Tell us who will play on it?
Yes. Like I said before, Defeat is part of Songs for the Fall of an Empire for which 8 songs and videos are already out and available in all platforms. The rest should be coming out at some point this year. The album will come with a full on theme show as well as other surprises were working on. Its massive.
How has the global pandemic influenced you on both a personal and musical level?
It hasn’t affected my workflow as much as it has naturally changed my conception of the world. I think the world changed drastically and I’m still trying to get used to these changes. I don’t think we’re really aware how much it has changed yet. We will be finding out in the next years.
BONUS: What do you like to do outside of music? Any hobbies, interests?
I’m completely fascinated by street food from all over the world. I love watching videos of people preparing these amazing treats in the middle of the street. Pakistan and India are probably the greatest I’ve seen. The level of skill…amazing.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2yIsy…
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignacioanormal/
Twitter: twitter.com/radioig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignaciopena…
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Bletzung
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ignaciopr