Interview: BARBARA BLACK

Jul 19, 2021

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What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

From a very young age, the sensation of singing fascinated me and it was when I discovered rock that that sensation increased. So I knew that I was a musician and that this was my true passion, so I would study about it. If I had not been a musician, I would have studied something related to painting and art, it is also a subject that I really like. I guess I was working on something related to it.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I love watching series, in fact some series like Game of Thrones has inspired me to compose some of my songs like "A girl has no name". I also like to travel a lot and enjoy my animals. The issue of defending animal rights is also something that has inspired me to compose songs like "Tiger Tamer" or "Non Human Person".

How long has your band been around?

This band is young, we've been around since 2015. Nitro, Javi and I realized that we had similar musical tastes and we decided to compose together. This is how we published our first EP "Spiritual Rock" in 2016.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I live in Madrid, Spain. It has influenced me in a way that I know that music influenced by traditional Spanish folklore is not what comes from me naturally. When I compose, I sit at the piano and a rock song is born, even soul, blues, country or metal influences are there. It's what I like to listen to and consequently compose.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Barbara Black is my real name, so the three of us decided that it was a good name to use it.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

The day I sang in La Riviera venue in Madrid with an amazing sold out in a tribute to Freddie Mercury was really breath taking.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Any wide stage it´s cool with beautiful lights! I would like to play in the Wacken Open Air someday. And it would be a dream too playing someday in USA.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Halestorm, Alterbridge, Black Stone Cherry, Shinedown, Doro Pesch, Sixx A.M. and many more!

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Someone who starts in music: be always humble and hardworking, look for your own personality in music. To my younger self: be strong and do not trust so much in the new people that appear suddenly, learn to protect yourself baby.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Be strong, be patience, take care of yourself, don´t trust at first sight and music is beautiful despite some mean things that surround it.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

In Black Snakes I tell some evil thing that happened to me in 2013 related to the music business and in Alabama Rose I speak about my hurt soul at that time.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

My favorite song to play is Damnified ´cause I feel fire inside me whenever I sing it. The most requested is Nice To Meet Me, it´s a funny song.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

During rehearsals we all bring a guitar riif, a rhythm or a melody and we develop it together. Nitro is very good at working on song structures. As for the lyrics, I like to write about other people's stories or my own, I also get inspired by works of other artists: tattoo artists, illustrators, series, books ...

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Social messages such as the rejection of gender violence, the defense of animal rights or my own feelings in some situations, all through beautiful images and metaphors. Passion is always present.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Of course, having different opinions is normal, but it is not negative, it is enriching. We always talk things over and try to be flexible. The interests of one person should not be imposed, but always the best for the band.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

We are going to play in the streaming Argentina Online Metal Fest the next July 23rd, 24th and 25th, we are gonna play live in Madrid the next September 10th, we are going to shoot our next videoclip, and we have new dates for 2022 in Valencia and Madrid, so we can´t wait to all of these great music plans.

www.barbarablackrock.com

www.instagram.com/barbarablackoficial

www.facebook.com/barbarablackoficial

www.youtube.com/barbarablackofficial

www.twitch.tv/barbarablackofficial

@BarbaraBlack_

Thank you so much for this lovely interview.

Love&Rock!

Bárbara Black.