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Singer Diana Navarro from Málaga already has a title for her new autumn CD: “The Green Path”. This is meant to pay homage to her most admired flamenco singers. However, not all of them fit, which is why her intuition tells her this is one project that will have a part two. In the meantime, she continues her 24 Roses (24 Rosas) tour which finishes in December.
AC- In your own words, 24 Roses is an extension of “Don’t Forget Me” (No te olvides de mí), your first major CD, but with “something more”. Where does this “something more” come from – the music, the lyrics, the instruments chosen to make this disc, the message you wish to send to your listeners…?
DN- Well, a little of everything. We keep fusing ethnic rhythms with pop music inspired in Spanish folk music (copla), saetas and flamenco. In addition to ever increasing maturity over three years of composition, there is also a difference in a sort of lyric touch as well as the sounds and the lyrics themselves.
AC- You’ve said that your music is music of the world because it’s a fusion of different styles that originate in different places. How do you think this cultural fusion influences the people who listen to your music? Do you think it could help people become less racist so that we accept the customs and idiosyncrasies of the diverse cultures of planet earth in a more natural, flexible way?
DN- How I wish! My music is for people with soul, independent of their culture or religion. It’s music to create feelings and to feel free. If I can use it to make people feel like they are better people, fantastic!
AC- Of all the styles that you fuse in your music, which ones do you most identify with or feel most comfortable with?
DN- In reality, flamenco is a style that I feel more passionate about the more I study it. But I feel good about all of them.
AC- Some say that you are the Spanish Enya and others see you as similar to Pasión Vega. Who do you think you are most similar to and in what ways? Or, if you prefer – which of the two do you identify with most and feel closest to?
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DN- Pasión and I both come from the “copla”, but I think that our styles are totally different. Enya is a more Celtic concept. I don’t know. It’s always good that you remind people of great artists, but I think that each one writes his own path in his own way.
AC- In addition to being a singer, you also compose many of your own lyrics. Have you composed songs for other artists?
DN- In principal I’ve only composed for myself because without my team I’d be unable to do it.
AC- In addition to yourself, for whom and what (films, advertisements, musicals, television series…) would you like to compose?
DN- The list of people I’d like to work with is endless: Sanz, Drexler, Lamari, Luz…
AC- Which do you consider to be key moments in your career?
DN- Many, because destiny is something you forget bit by bit. But the most important, without a doubt, was when I met Chico Valdivia, and the most definitive was when I met Manuel Illán.
AC-What is your opinion of pirating music via Internet?
DN- That until people realise that pirating is a crime and that because of it many people are losing their jobs, it’s going to continue. If you can get it free, why are you going to buy it? It’s a problem that will have to be solved by fining those who download or buy “off the blanket” (in the street). It’s something we have to debate carefully. People hide behind the excuse that CD’s are very expensive. It took us four years to finish our first CD. And during those four years we didn’t receive any money. When we managed to record it, we were lucky and people bought it and we started to invest in the second one. If four years of work by a whole team of people costs 15 euro and we think that’s expensive…
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AC- And do you think that the best way to stop pirating is charging an extra fee for blank CD’s? Don’t you think this fee violates the presumption of innocence because anyone can use a CD to record their own creations and not necessarily to copy those of others?
DN- In this life, the innocent pay for the sinners. The fee is a trifle that doesn’t even affect consumers and if it can help fix the huge disaster that pirating is creating, let’s show some solidarity!
AC- It seems like in addition to being a singer, you enjoy being an actress, even though you're a person who believes each one should stick to his speciality. If you were an actress, what type of roles would you like to play and which genre would you be most comfortable with? Would you prefer the big screen, the television or theatre?
DN- I've got a long way to go to become an actress, but I think I would do well in a musical.
AC- When does your 24 Roses (24 Rosas) tour end?
DN- In December 2008.
AC- And how is the new "copla" CD you are planning to present this autumn coming along? Do you have a title yet?
DN- This CD pays homage to artists I've admired, and I admire the "copla". However, I wasn't able to cover all the topics I wanted to cover, so I have a feeling there will be a second part. It will be our musical perspectives on the "copla". The title is "Camino Verde" (Green Path).
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AC- What other projects do you plan to work on once you finish this tour and get your next CD on the market?
DN- Continue with the Flamenco Festival tour abroad and a few other things that I'll talk about later.
AC- As a native of Málaga, do you think Málaga has as much to offer as Seville?
DN-Málaga is marvelous and Seville too. Each one is enchanting in its own way, so I couldn't compare. I adore both cities, but clearly I die for "the beautiful one", Málaga.
AC- What are your favourite hang outs in Málaga - to have tapas, lunch, dinner or just go out at night or to enjoy nature?
DN- The Parque de la Concepción Botanical Gardens, Larios street, El Pimpi, Dani Martín's restaurant, The beachside promenade in Huelín, Casa Tadea... In Málaga every place is good.
AC- And to finish, of all the marvellous towns and villages in Andalucia which one would you choose for a little escape?
DN- (laughing) It's better I don't say... But they're all good. Andalucia is unique.
