Number Juan for summer sounds
Published 6 Apr 2012 09:30
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It feels almost like summertime already, and The Guide team think that
singer-songwriter Juan Zelada might just have the perfect soundtrack to sunny days and balmy evenings. Juan, who hails from Spain but has been living in the UK for eight years, has recently seen years of tireless touring pay off with a contract with Decca Records and his debut album, High Ceilings and Collarbones, due to hit the shops on Monday, April 16.
"The music's got lots of soul and blues influences, as well as the British music I was brought up listening to in Madrid. It is fun it is intense with a lot of depth there as well," said Juan, whose was intially spotted and backed by restaurant manager Adam Low.
Juan, who tours with a six-piece band, saw his debut single, Breakfast In Spitalfields,
A-listed and made record of the week on Radio 2 last year. Now he's hoping that his current two-month tour - including a date at South Street Arts Centre in Reading - will cement his reputation for raucous live shows and crafted, warm tunes, helping to propel them to the next stage of success.
"We're taking a slow-burner approach, touring, having a good time," he explained. "It is hard to compete in the charts in the current climate but I think we have a very broad appeal. As good as Radio 2 is we are hoping to go into other target audiences. We have had really good feedback from the album but because it is a mix of sounds they do not get it until they see us live."
"As a live six-piece band we really go for it, getting people to stand up on tables and have a great time," said an enthusiastic Juan. "We're doing a lot of summer festivals and this UK tour. It is only small venues but I think a lot of people will come back home with a smile on their face and a sweaty shirt too!"
Juan also defended his rather curious choice of album title: "It's about as random as it comes! It evokes images of concepts I am very fond of, images everyone likes: the aspirations you can have looking up to owning somewhere with high ceilings and getting excited about the sensuality and appealing nature of a woman's neckline!"
Juan Zelada and his band play a Black&White Music/Monkeysuit Music gig at South Street Arts Centre on Tuesday, April 17, at 8pm. Tickets cost £5 advance or £8 on the door. Call 0118 960 6060 or visit www.readingarts.com
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 05 Apr 12
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