lauroba: another bend
Iker Lauroba has written, arranged and played the instruments on Zeru tolesgarriak. Without worrying about what anybody else might think, he’s made quiet, melodic pop. But don’t expect pastel colours. Amazing recording work and Harkaitz Cano’s words put together Iker Lauroba’s musical heaven. You’ve always been associated with rock. How did you come to give your songs this new touch? Lots to different instruments… A lot of work on the arrangements…
I’ve always written songs like this, but I’d never thought to making a record like this until I met Harkaitz Cano. I find it much easier to write music than lyrics, so he’s come along on this journey with me. I also have to say that Fredi Pelaez has helped me a lot. The recording took place in his studio, he did the production work, I’ve met a lot of musicians who’ve taken part in the record. I’ve brought the record out thanks to those two, to a large extent.
Are they lyrics important in this work? Tell us what it was like working with H. Cano…
Harkaitz wrote a couple of lyrics for your last disk. After finishing recording that, I suggested we could work together on this project. I had the songs in my head, but they hadn’t been structured; I spent a month putting them into shape and then Harkaitz sent me the lyrics back. It’s incredible how he fitted his lyrics to my tunes, he’s understood the soul of each song.
Are you planning to play this live? In what format?
I’m not sure yet, this record’s something very special. 23 musicians have taken part in the recording and it’ll be very hard to take it onto the stage. What’s more, seeing the state music’s in, I don’t think I’ll have the chance to give large-format concerts, so I’ll carry on as I have until now. Iñigo Asensio (piano, accordion), Jokin Garmendia (cello), Sara Azurza (voice) and Leire Berasaluze (voice): that’s my permanent band.
On many songs you’re accompanied by different women’s voices, and they give the songs a special personality. Is that something you wanted to do from the start?
The singers Sara Azurza, Leire Berasaluze and Fariba Sheikhan took part in the recordings. Although the record’s only just come out, I’ve been playing the songs live for some time now, and all three of them have accompanied me with their voices on different occasions. I wanted them to be on the record, I think their voices are amazing.
It’s difficult to make a living from music, but there’s no questioning the fact that you live for music… How do you manage to keep involved in so many projects?
It isn’t easy, especially as there’s hardly any money in it and you have to have another job to be able to make a living. But, even so, I think I’m very lucky. I feel I’m part of groups which make great music: Charlie & The Colours, Indigo, Lauroba, Tristan Crowley...
I’ve always written songs like this, but I’d never thought to making a record like this until I met Harkaitz Cano. I find it much easier to write music than lyrics, so he’s come along on this journey with me. I also have to say that Fredi Pelaez has helped me a lot. The recording took place in his studio, he did the production work, I’ve met a lot of musicians who’ve taken part in the record. I’ve brought the record out thanks to those two, to a large extent.
Are they lyrics important in this work? Tell us what it was like working with H. Cano…
Harkaitz wrote a couple of lyrics for your last disk. After finishing recording that, I suggested we could work together on this project. I had the songs in my head, but they hadn’t been structured; I spent a month putting them into shape and then Harkaitz sent me the lyrics back. It’s incredible how he fitted his lyrics to my tunes, he’s understood the soul of each song.
Are you planning to play this live? In what format?
I’m not sure yet, this record’s something very special. 23 musicians have taken part in the recording and it’ll be very hard to take it onto the stage. What’s more, seeing the state music’s in, I don’t think I’ll have the chance to give large-format concerts, so I’ll carry on as I have until now. Iñigo Asensio (piano, accordion), Jokin Garmendia (cello), Sara Azurza (voice) and Leire Berasaluze (voice): that’s my permanent band.
On many songs you’re accompanied by different women’s voices, and they give the songs a special personality. Is that something you wanted to do from the start?
The singers Sara Azurza, Leire Berasaluze and Fariba Sheikhan took part in the recordings. Although the record’s only just come out, I’ve been playing the songs live for some time now, and all three of them have accompanied me with their voices on different occasions. I wanted them to be on the record, I think their voices are amazing.
It’s difficult to make a living from music, but there’s no questioning the fact that you live for music… How do you manage to keep involved in so many projects?
It isn’t easy, especially as there’s hardly any money in it and you have to have another job to be able to make a living. But, even so, I think I’m very lucky. I feel I’m part of groups which make great music: Charlie & The Colours, Indigo, Lauroba, Tristan Crowley...
