What made you decide to become a soloist?
I used to love playing in a band when I was younger and really hope to again. I would say that as I spent a lot of time traveling, my writing and the creative process became a lot more individual, and I would often play gigs solo wherever I was in the world. I find writing music really fulfilling and individual to me, so performing it that way adds a greater sense of authenticity to it. I do hope to collaborate more in the future but for now, I find it really exciting to explore myself as a songwriter and a performer.
Introduce us to you and your musical history?
It all started with my passion for the guitar which is something I felt ever since I first picked one up at 8 years old. I started writing songs when I was 10 years old and haven’t stopped since! I came from a classical background, studying the classical guitar before exploring other facets of the guitar through genres like blues, rock, and folk. Since then, I have continued to develop a passion for songwriting which I have taken around the world. I come from a multicultural background with Latin heritage, so I would say that that comes across in my music, and having had the chance to perform in Argentina for a year, it helped me add a new perspective to my songwriting.
What’s one question you’re sick of being asked when interviewed?
I wouldn’t say I am sick of any questions really… maybe just the basic ones like how old I am.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
I do love a good conspiracy theory! But I wouldn’t say any that I would shout about!
Did you buy anything you don’t need in the pandemic?
I definitely went through a bit of a buying phase in the pandemic like many of us did… I did buy a set of production lights for YouTube videos which haven’t really been used yet.
We have set up RGM USA sharing USA music with the UK scene and vice versa, what are your thoughts on the UK music scene?
I think the UK music scene is the birthplace of some stellar talent and it has been that way for many decades. I think the UK music scene is only continuing to grow and I am sure there is so much more global talent to come out of it in the future!
What useless party trick do you have?
Being able to fit 25 grapes in my mouth, that doesn’t come in handy very often.
What was the most fun you have had on stage?
I remember my first rock show at school, that is a really great memory as it was my first experience really performing as a band and having a lot of fun with it! I was in Muse and Nirvana phase at that time so we went a bit crazy.
What was the worst experience on stage?
Luckily I haven’t had too many horror stories, but it is always stressful when equipment breaks down. I remember I was mid-way through a set when my guitar amplification completely broke down so I had to finish the set without any real sound!
Tell us something about yourself that you think people would be surprised about?
I’m a big film buff and have been doing a bit of a classic movie marathon lately!
If you had to describe your music to an alien how would you describe it?
Soulful, intimate and minimalist acoustic music that fuses different genres.
What makes you stand out as an artist?
I would say my ability to fuse different musical cultures and genres into a unique sound sets me apart. I try to speak my voice through songwriting which often means a range of different sounds and musical roots.
Right now, what’s pissing you off the most?
I haven’t got much pissing me off at the moment, right now I am pretty optimistic!
What’s your favourite song to play live and why?
I love playing one of my own songs ‘Sin Tu Amor’ live, as it’s one of my favourites and I love to perform in Spanish!
I hear you have a new single, what can you tell us about it?
My latest single is titled ‘Yours Truly’ and it comes out on the 1st of April on all platforms. It is particularly special to me as it explores themes of heartbreak and the feelings associated with lost love. I also produced this song entirely myself from home which was a first for me so I am quite proud of that!
Talk me through the thought process of the single?
I wrote this song some time ago whilst dealing with a lot of the feelings associated with a breakup and lost love. I have performed it for a couple of years but have never gotten round to recording it until now! I wrote and produced it entirely from home by myself so it was a first for me in that respect!
What was the recording process like?
I recorded it from my bedroom in Bristol, composing and recording all the parts myself. It was a good experience to learn more about the production process which is a skill I hope to continue to develop!
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the single?
Definitely the mixing element, I had never had to mix my music before, so learning more about the granular detail of production was a steep learning curve but I am so glad I did it!
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I think there are elements of the mixing I would improve, but that is all part of the learning process, there is nothing I would change as I think this experience will help me improve in the future!
What are your plans for the year ahead?
I am really excited for the year ahead, I intend to release a lot more music and perform live as well!
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Stay tuned for lots of new music this year as well as news on live events! For new music news follow me on instagram @ayrtonjimenezmusic