This time on The NAS 10 Questions, we get to know Canelo Kot, a self-styled "Rockmantic" artist from Mexico City who has taken inspiration from his parents musically, incorporating styles like bolero, rondalla estudantinia, and rock.
The track "Tus Palabras" is featured on NAS Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
"If you have a heart, do it, whether with the world, without it or in spite of it."
1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
I am originally from Mexico City, I know it is beautiful and chaotic at the same time, but without a doubt... it has its charm. Currently, in addition to promoting my album "I can't accept it" in national and international media, I am detailing the post-production of some other songs that I want to upload as soon as possible to digital platforms, of course they are my compositions. I must say that in terms of presentations I had postponed them a little so I could focus on producing, but proposals are coming in and I will have to accommodate some dates on the agenda. Additionally, I hope to resume my role as an actor in some projects that are also coming.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
I started singing (not professionally of course) from the age of approximately 3 years old, my mother and grandparents taught us children's songs that they knew... the experience was very pleasant although the memories of that age are very vague... however , I do remember myself between the ages of 5 and 8 at my parents' house exploring their rock & roll acetate records, ballads, pop, folkloric music and other rhythms of the time, and the constant is that I was always learning songs and making an effort to tune as them... I must say that the feeling of singing has always been magical. From the age of 8 and already learning to play guitar, Canelo Kot's musical adventure began, although in very diverse genres.
𝟯. Who are your biggest musical influences? How would you describe your style or genre?
Without a doubt, the greatest influence has been the musical heritage that my parents kept and some artists whose songs I enjoyed and sang. The rhythms that I consider have significantly influenced my influences in making music are:
* Rock in its various eras
* Pop Music
* Ballad and Bolero music (from Trios and performers)
* Electronic (starting with Disco music)
* Opera and choral and polyphonic music
* Latin-American music.
* Music by Rondalla and Estudiantentina.
* Ranchero Bolero
* Cumbia
* Dip
* A little Jazz.
I listen to many more genres but I consider that those are the ones that have the most influence on me when composing.
4. What are your goals in the music industry or as an artist?
I think I would put 3 that I am very clear about:
to. Sharing through my Rockmántico style, magical musical moments with the public that listens to my songs, to take them towards their most intimate and passionate emotional fibers from which to experience love, success, happiness, passion, and of course pain, sadness, disappointment, anger, loneliness, etc. And thus reaffirm that as humans we must live as if it were the last minute and accumulate the best of each experience in pursuit of being better every day.
b. Conquer a little piece of the heart of every person who listens to my music in the world
c, Flood the entire world with my rockmantic music.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
I consider that my creative process begins when a spark arises in my life that motivates creativity, that is, a personal experience, someone else's story, a feeling about my own moment or that of other people, an express request to compose about something, a phrase. , a special person or several, a melody that arises at some point in everyday life, etc... Regardless of what the spark is, I think I always cover these stages:
- Write thought, feeling, story or anecdote
- Structure the song: introduction, verses, choruses, bridges, etc.
- Create the main melody and harmony on guitar or keyboard.
- Adjust intentions and key messages
- Define the instrumentation that would shape the musical arrangement.
Of course, then comes the process. creation of demos and recording
6. What is your all-time favorite song by another artist and why?
Many years ago Frank Sinatra popularized the song "My way" and it was a resounding success, however before knowing his version, I heard it in a cover performed by the ranchera music singer: Vicente Fernandez, the cover is called "A mi manner". Well, I must say that the lyrics made for this cover in Spanish seemed fantastic to me from a very young age... and I must also say that I am not a fan of Vicente Fernandez and it is not the type of music that he usually sang, much less the that I listened to, however, every time my father played it when traveling to his hometown... it transported me and I was very small but I remember it perfectly... by the time I learned to play guitar, I almost always gave myself some time to sing it. Later I saw the version by Sinatra and other exponents and I still find it fantastic. I know it's not rock, but what a song!!! But I must clarify that in that category of the best song of all time... I would put at least 100 songs.
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
One of the best I received was: If you have a heart, do it, whether with the world, without it or in spite of it. And I have applied it in many areas in my life...
8. Proudest accomplishment?
So far, I would say there are 2. The first is having been able to upload my current album to digital platforms and see that little by little more people in the world are listening to it... and believe me, it was not easy for me to do so. and secondly... seeing my children grow up very closely and having my family close, despite all the situations that surround this long career.
9. Just for fun! What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
Hahaha well, I gave a very good or terrible kick (depending on how you see it) to "my little brother", while he was buying a "cake" at the place where he got off the bus to go home, many years ago. The shame came suddenly when I realized that it was not my brother... but someone who looked identical to me from behind. But there I learned that talking about someone we think we see... can cause serious problems, if we are not 100% certain.
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
Low: Among all the things I have to do on a daily basis, it is very difficult for me to sit down and compose, record and produce as I would like, and I must say, it is difficult for me to ask for help from people with greater knowledge, success and even time to be able to do May my music reach more hearts in the world.
High: I consider myself a very good singer, with my own style, stage charm, sensitivity, empathy and even fun, with a great facility for polyphony, for writing songs, improvising on stage and with the ability to captivate the audience on stage... in Mexico we say "With a lot of Angel"
(With a lot of Angel).
Stream "Tus Palabras" now
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Great interview, That's quite a depth of influences you have! Looking forward to diving deeper into your discography!
Interesting to know more about the artist! That kick story is pretty funny too :P
I love the quote!!! I guess I do what I do, in spite of the world. Rock on, Brother!!
Great musical family influences here and nice to learn more about where it all led for Canelo Kot. I have to agree 100% about the impact of "My Way", I think it can serve as an anthem for many artists and others who don't want to run with the pack 😎
Checked out your tracks. Keep up the good work