In a previous life, Pedro Hernández (Tenerife, 27 years old) was a Canarian musician who had a rock band. She was also a promising young woman who reached the final of The Voice show with pop classics. And an emerging talent in reggaeton and urban sounds based in Miami and supported by Rosalía's explorer. Having reached the final of the Benidorm Fest 2024 this Thursday, he is the big favorite of the bookmakers with a Bolero (49% options and rising). Multiply the possibilities of the second most important suggestion, the festive and vengeful Zorra de Nebulossa, by three (15%). But anything can happen in this issue.
Refusing to embrace the fashionable sound in the recording city, the now St. Pedro-turned Canarian returned to his home in the Canary Islands and found himself again. He is preparing an album that takes into account the Latin American roots in the music of the islands and advances in “Two Strangers” with a sound that is unprecedented among the Spanish candidates for victory in the Eurovision Song Contest. He says he wants to be a singer like the old ones and would rather live from his music for the next 50 years than dominate the short-lived charts.
Questions. In recent years you have focused on urban music. Why didn't you choose such a fashionable genre for the Benidorm Fest?
Answer. Two strangers are part of an album [Esta vida que elegí, a la venta el 16 de febrero] It explores why merengue and salsa remain so popular in the Canary Islands. This is what it sounds like at village festivals. We reviewed Los Sabandeños records from 68 onwards until we found a common denominator and combined it with the background noise we heard in our mother's or grandparents' cars.
Q The song is subtitled String Quartet, but the piano is wonderful.
R. If you like the piano in the song, in the original version, the one on the album, then go there. It's more like tropical jazz.
Q The expert jury and a large number of Euro fans liked the topic. But there are those who say it is too slow for the Eurovision Song Contest.
R. Well, it ends with a cha-cha-chá… The good thing is that people are very respectful even when they express opposite opinions.
The St. Pedro canary.
Q At Benidorm Fest there are always two opposing positions: support the proposal with more options in Europe (like Chanel and Agoney) or wear something with which we feel identified and proud, regardless of the outcome (Tanxugueiras, Blanca Paloma).
R. Music excites every person in some way and even conveys references and culture, so every option is valid. I understand the Euro fans, but if I have to go to Malmö, I will defend my feeling that I am the one who shows my face on stage. I don't want to lose myself trying to please other people. I've already been through that. And I was pretty fucked up for a few years.
Q Do you mean when you moved to Miami after being a finalist on La Voz and working with reggaeton stars?
R. I was in a new country, in a new industry and with a new team. You listen to other people's opinions more than necessary. It was not me. I didn't relate to the genre, the artists I had to work with, or the producers, even though I admire them. I lost myself in the inertia of continuing to work.
I don't want to lose myself trying to please other people. I've already been through that. And I was pretty fucked up for a few years.
Q What decision did you make?
R. Return to the Canary Islands, return to my lifelong friends Ioné de la Cruz and Nelson Hernández, with whom I made “Two Strangers” and the rest of my album. Now it's so clear to me that it's hard for me to get out of the way.
Q There is a generation of young musicians who are seriously exploring Hispanic musical roots out of respect, not fashion. Guitarricadelafuente, Rosalía, C. Tangana…
R. And it was time. We have long depended on people who want us to make music quickly and cheaply. And the genres of yesteryear were neither quick nor cheap to produce. To put it succinctly: today's music is made to be listened to from midnight to six in the morning. It seems like it tells the same story over and over again. I don't want to be involved in that. And let it be known that I respect Quevedo very much because it is very difficult to connect with the public on the same topic as everyone else.
Q It's clear you're committed to bringing something authentic to the Eurovision Song Contest, even if it's less competitive.
R. It's just that we have it [José Luis] Perales in our songbook and I can't tell you anyone better in terms of quality.
Q Well, according to the betting shops, anyone who invests in their victory in Benidorm won't get rich…
R. Well, I would put money into Zorra de Nebulossa. She, Mery, seems to be an incredible diva, the new Queen of Spain. And her husband Mark, the perfect squire who lifts her up, accompanies her, knows his role and assigns him his place.
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