By José Gandue @spinning zone Photos by Nicolás Caballero
Laura Jaramillo is The Klinkert, A 26-year-old artist who has begun to shine in her own right on the Colombian music scene. Her style, if we're being serious and trying to define the sound she presents in Melodrama, his new album, It's an interesting mix of pop, electronica, rock nostalgia, bluesy moments and hip hop with a Latin American attitude. I don't know if it would be too bold to call it, at times, a kind of Caribbean trip-hop, since some songs evoke a melancholy that inspires body movement, a kind of danceable "downer." One important detail: Klinkert is a brilliant guitarist, a student of the instrument, who knows how to take her playing to unexpected territories., where the need for sensuality blends seamlessly with the urgency to tell personal stories that must be taken seriously. She sings, raps, recites, and shouts, depending on the moment, and she does it all perfectly. Melodrama It's an album that cannot be overlooked, as it is ingenious, diverse (in the best sense of the word) and surprising, because it cannot be described with a simple label. There are 12 songs that, in a total duration of half an hour, They break the mold of current commercial demands without losing the desire and the possibility of becoming hits among the continent's wide audience.
We contacted Laura via WhatsApp and interviewed her to learn more about her:
Who is La Klinkert?
Klinkert is a Bogota-born artist who makes music. She's a singer, guitarist, and producer, and she loves to write. She also has a passion for the visual world and is trying to unite her musical production with the creation of a visual concept that conveys that passion.
One detail that catches my attention: You made a name for yourself in the music scene as a guitarist, then you completed the whole picture, am I wrong?
It's right
What was the process like?
I've loved music since I was a child, ever since I was in school. I always knew my path was music. I started playing the flute, then the violin, and then the guitar. I fell in love with the guitar when I was 11. From that moment on, I've explored music through the guitar. Since I was 15, I've been exploring songwriting through the guitar. And when I finished university (I studied electric guitar performance), my path as a songwriter was much clearer.
You were very rock 'n' roll in your early days, weren't you?
Yes, I loved grunge and rock when I was 12. Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, and Soda Stereo were my favorite bands.
When did the sound change?
After finishing university, I started experiencing the live music scene. It took me time to find my sound. But definitely, attending live music events like parties, festivals, and concerts allowed me to experience music with my body, through dance. Enjoying the sounds in a more physical than academic way. I managed to connect the dots. I love to dance. I love the sounds of electronic music and how they feel in the body. I wasn't just a guitarist, but someone who seeks to create a physical experience through music.
How would you define your current sound?
Alternative and Latin urban electronic pop.
What musical influences do you have at this point in your life?
Nathy Peluso, Kali Uchis, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, La Fania Records, C Tangana, Sevdaliz, Crudo Means Raw, LosPetitFellas, Juan Pablo Vega.
What's your take on the Colombian scene?
Incredible. Growing non-stop. So much great music. Innovative. With better production and increasingly clear concepts.
Let's talk about your album, Melodrama. What was the production process like?
At the beginning of last year, I decided to compile some of my songs, finish them, and make an album. I'd dreamed of making an album for years. I decided which songs would be included, and I put on a deadline And I got to work. Some of those songs are very old. From 2017. But I hadn't finalized the production, so I got organized and managed to finish it.
Were you the sole producer or did you have collaborators?
I only had collaborators on two songs. Break Juanpordios produced it (I didn't produce that one) and Come here I produced most of it myself, but I used synths I made with Dsum, and Alka helped me define the beat when he was mixing. The other songs are all mine. However, I feel that Alka, especially, contributes a lot during the mixing process. So I feel like he helped a lot.
Amidst the revelry, there are some rather rock-and-roll moments; something sticks, right?
Yes, it's inevitable. It comes hand in hand with the electric guitar. It's also implicit in the fact that anger is the fuel of creation. And I feel that this angry attitude in the songs is "rock.".
Let's talk about your image. You don't go unnoticed, how do you integrate all of that into the proposal?
I feel that my image is part of my message. I am a woman. I am Latina. Sensuality is a characteristic of my message.
What are your shows like?
They have a powerful sound. With beats and the band playing in perfect sync. They have AI-generated visuals. The electric guitar sound is prominent and breathtaking during solos, and the vocals are multifaceted. Sometimes they sound sweet, other times angry. I'm sharing ideas about empowerment and living life passionately.
You played on a cruise ship, didn't you?
Yes, I work on a cruise ship. I've already signed two contracts, and at the end of the month I'm starting my third.
How is that?
It's a completely unique environment. You live on a ship that holds 6,000 people, and everything is very structured. There are schedules for everything, rules for everything. However, I'm part of the entertainment team and work in the afternoons and evenings. We have a super organized and professional team for each production. I'm a theater musician and play in eight shows per cruise, plus one rehearsal. My weekly workload isn't too heavy, and I have the privilege of being able to disembark at every port. So I can enjoy the trip while I work.
Do you play your songs at shows?
No. I'm the theater's guitarist. And I play in two shows. One is a musical theater production, and the other is a dance show with 12 dancers on stage. The theater's band consists of four women: bass, drums, piano (musical director), and guitar (me).
Aside from the upcoming cruise, what's next for you in the following months?
My most ambitious project is the show I'm recording on October 19th. The plan is to record a concert format so I can sell my show and apply for bigger events. After that, I have some time "on land" between February 25th and March 25th. I hope to tour playing my album during those dates. Then there's another contract until September, and I hope to finish my second album, which is already fully written. I hope to tour playing my entire album after September, once I finish the other contract on the ship.
