Manuel Velasco

Story

It's been about 10 years since I started playing music. It was a time when I was unemployed and I decided to start learning to play the guitar. I reached a point in which I had two options, with the 12 chords that I could play, I could learn how to play only one song (but really well played) or to compose a rock record, so I chose the second. I started a solo project with producer Fran Suárez (Aria Inferno) and recorded one record. Just before it was released I had to move to a different part of the country and there I started a sonwriter duo with busker musician Lumana, we were Políticos Honrados, and we played more than 60 gigs, recorded a record and composed a second. But things changed again and I had to move, so I started a band with Fran Suárez mixing extreme punk with extreme heavy metal, Punk pa los Heavys. We recorded a record, created a band and were ready to go. But things changed again and I had to move to Seville, when I started playing solo. After being part of super-songwriter-power trio Los Indeseables del Korte Inglés, with Spanish rock legend Fernando Sáez and bassist poet Agus Rivas; I had to move again to Cádiz. During the pandemic I started my own band (at last), Señor Velasco, and I joined rock and rollers Insomnio after learning to play bass. And it's been tow years since then. Recently, I usually play two gigs a month with either project or both. :)

Profile

Instruments

Genres

Influences

Equipment

Languages

What is music to you? What does it give you?

It's the way I express my opinions about human stupidity when I am the composer and the lead vocalist in my shows (currently I peform this way solo or with my own band, Señor Velasco). Music is also the tool by means of which I communicate with audiences at a deep level and I can unleash the live-criminal-performer that lives inside of me (specially when I play with my other band, Insomnio, in which I play bass and are the second singer).

What is your music dream?

To play my own songs around the world and make people think and have fun. In my solo career, my music is in Spanish and not for all audiences, so I don't count on covering everybody's expectations, for that, I play with Insomnio. PLaying live and connecting with the audience is the best feeling that I've ever experienced.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

With providing quality education and access to culture for everybody, so we can all have the same opportunities and be prepare to collaborate and make this planet a better place to live for us and the ones to come.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

From my childhood, none. But When I was 14 I discovered Nirvana, Queen and Iron Maiden almost at the same time. That changed my life.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

Too many and for different reasons. I'll try to make a short list: Kiss, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, U2, Queen, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Extremoduro and Robe (best Spanish rock artist), Joaquín Sabina (best Spanish lyricist), The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who... and so on...

What inspires you to make music?

Human stupidity. It's a topic with endless posibilities. When you think that you have discover the most stupid person, the most stupid idea or the most stupid situation, life always shows you that you're wrong. There's something sillier around the corner. And this trend never stops. Einstein said that there are two infinite things: the universe and human stupidity. And he was right.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

That if you think before, you can avoid a lot of stupid errors and mistakes that a lot of people commit in their lives, no matter how hard they try to avoid. Thinking sometimes is not easy and dot he right thing isn't always free, but it doesn't mean that we have to behave as troglodytes in the 21st century.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

This is the best feeling ever.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

There are too many cover bands. I don't have anything against them but, where I live, pubs and venue owners think that it is better to have a cover band (even if they don't play with passion or do not reach an stardar quality, not to say their poor English level) before giving the chance to artists who create their own songs and rehrease heavily every week to create a complete new show for the people, trying to be original and not using others' legends or previous work to perform in front of an audience.

What do you think of Drooble?

It seems like a cool idea. Let's see how it works.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

That I don't have as much time as I want to practice with my instruments. I have a job that I love, that is not directly related to art that also needs my attention and days only have 24 hours.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

Most of the times when I leave home is to attend to a performance. Of any kind of music or any art. I have many artistts friends and attending to local gigs provides me the chance to make new friends.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

You have to be original, genuinely original. That means that you have to study what has been made before and what is being made and see what elements can suit you to create something new. Maybe you can reínvent the wheel but it doesn't mean that everything is said and done. You need a lot of culture and you need to have a plan. But the plan has to be based on facts and study, not just in dreams or illusions. These last are also important, but they are nor the only or the main thing if you want to get to people outside your comfort zone. And, of course, you have to work hard and love and respect the audience.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Terrorvision: the best rock and roll band in the UK. And, for me, the best lyricists in English too. I don't understand that they are not multi-billionaires. Robe: founder of Spanish rock legendary band Extremoduro and poet. He created a solo project with new musicians that completely changed his sounds and the way we see music creation in Spain.