By José Gandue @Gandour
2021 has begun, and it's certainly refreshing to hear some genuine sensuality and seduction in music right from the start of the year. That's why we're excited about the release of Aiel, first full-length album by the Chilean artist Gloria Allel. This seven-song album, all recorded at the artist's home, It's an effective combination of rap, soul, R&B, and trap. This production, built in turn with solid sonic moments derived from reggae, It demonstrates a contemporary vision of urban expression, Perfectly suited to compete in today's international markets. In the midst of her intense media tour, we managed to track down the singer to answer a few questions (using inclusive language):
Let's start with something gentle: What does your project currently sound like?
Mmm, GalacticRoots. A mix between the galactic sounds of machines and electronic music and the Roots, the root of the sounds closest to the earth.
What artistic references do you recognize among your influences?
The soul and elegance of Sade, the style and flow of Erika Badu, and the musical atmosphere of Doja Cat.
What do you talk about in your lyrics?
I speak about self-love and love for all living beings, respect, and empathy. I talk about caring for nature and the healing power of self-creation and self-belief. I also consider myself an artist with a feminist perspective, and from that perspective, I define my values as a human being. I invite women, non-binary people, and everyone in general to build healthy relationships and collaborate with each other to create safe and supportive spaces. Let's be brave and pursue our dreams; everything is possible when we act from the heart.
What was the production process like for your new album?
Wow, incredibly intense. I was able to get to know myself better, to deal with my fears and frustrations. It was a turning point where I was about to give up because I felt like inspiration wasn't coming. I felt very creatively blocked at one point. Until I persevered and understood that everything was a process. It helped me let my mind and heart flow.
I read that you did everything at home, with the collaboration of some musicians and beatmakers. Please tell me more about it.
A friend, El Tortu, brought his equipment to my house (I live in Cerro San Cristobal) and I was able to record everything there. It was a really beautiful process; everything became more polished. The instrumentals came together over time, with some friends and close friends. I worked with some of them remotely (Beatprod and Afromusic) and with others I was able to meet up and create the beats together on the spot (OrusRap and Elivschild). I think the production is one of the most beautiful moments, where all the magic happens. Well, there's always magic, but working on each song individually with two great friends, Low End and Vibranko, was incredible. I learned so much about music and about the sound I want. And the mastering was done by a legend, Prava, from Santuario Sónico. An amazing team.
How do you see the current state of Chilean music?
Wow, it's a bit complicated in terms of being able to get together to share our music and generate income to support ourselves, but I also think new opportunities have arisen to reinvent ourselves, to use our creativity as artists to move forward, which is an added value to what we do. I think the world has its eyes on Chile when it comes to music. There are some very good artists who are paving the way for those of us who are independent, and it's a great opportunity to work hard if we want to make a living from our art and reach more people.
Would you like to name the artists you like most from your country right now?
Absolutely, Dennise Rosenthal is one of my biggest inspirations. She's been creating her art for so long and has built her career by creating her own label. Flor de Rap is amazing; her career has been steadily rising. She's a great friend whom I admire a lot. And Paloma Mami is a master; I really like her confidence, and you can tell she knows what she wants, which I love.
Finally, what are your plans to promote this album?
Well, for now I'm working on the music videos so I can fully express my artistry. I want my signature style to be present in everything, so I'm in charge of art direction, collaborating with other artists from different fields like dance and audiovisual production. My goal is to keep releasing music despite any difficulties, and to tour Mexico—that's one of my biggest projects.