AperitivosThyssen

The series of AperitivosThyssen concerts begins with Aries, the one-woman band of Isabel Fernández Reviriego, who has just brought out her fourth LP, Juramento Mantarraya (2019). This latest album, co-published by La Castanya and K Records (EEUU) and produced by the artist together with José Vázquez, continues her experimentation with sound and features lots of synthesisers and guitars, sampling…

This carefully produced album combines pop melodies with characteristic rhythms and the sounds of soul, free jazz, sunshine pop and experimental electronic music. Juramento Mantarraya is a ‘collection of dazzling musical intervals created by an artist who knows that only someone who puts the same enthusiasm into going for a walk as into composing melodies can reach people’s hearts’, explains the writer Raquel Peláez.

The second concert is by Blanco Palamera, a young Madrid-based duo from Santiago de Compostela who made their debut earlier this year with their first LP Promesas (Raso Estudio, 2019). The album fluctuates between contemporary pop, electronic music, R&B, jazz, hip-hop and neo soul.

This fresh, elegant and delicate album features a total of ten songs by Blanco Palamera that are minimalist and warm, but also urban and modern.

Recorded and produced wholly by the group’s two members, Manuel Blanco (guitar and vocals) and Xoán Domínguez (drums and backing vocals), the album also features specific collaborations with guest artists from bands like Baiuca, Puma Pumku and Pianet.

Asunción is the name adopted by Julián Villagrán – who is also known as an actor – for his one-man band.

Villagrán has been a member of other bands like Turistas Espaciales and Nikaenen, a DJ, a producer of electronic music and disseminator of 90s rave culture, as well as a promoter at venues such as the Café Berlín.

In Asunción he uses songs to combine pop and rock, taking festive electronic music as a basis. Guitars, synthesisers and loops are the tools used to put together his first album, which was recorded at La Mina studios with producer Raúl Pérez (Pony Bravo, Fiera and Kiko Veneno, among others).

Mow is the artistic name of the Madrid-born Gabriela Casero, who soon became a hit with audiences thanks to the blend of dream pop and electronic music in her first album Woman (2018). Besides this LP, which was a runner-up for the MIN award for best electronic music album, she has released several singles that have made it to the Spotify viral 50 playlists in the US.

Mow was also nominated for the best soundtrack award at La Jolla Film Festival (California) and has performed at festivals such as Sònar and Primavera Sound, among others.