Fernanda Arrau is by now a well-known name within the scene and among the list of prominent local producers. Fernanda is currently residing in Madrid, place where she created the United Colors Of Rhythm collective, part of the subjects we talked about with her in Fauna Primavera, the festival that saw her rise as an artist and that finally consolidated her in our country.
—You went to Spain in 2016, leaving Chile behind and lots of strong bonds within the musical scene, both as an artist and as a producer. I can imagine that you arrived there with lots of contacts, but nothing compared to what you already had in Santiago. What was it like to begin that network? How has it been getting together?
I arrived to Madrid with no contacts at all, knocking doors, showing my work, trying to explain what I was doing and what I’m passionate about. Slowly I was given some opportunities in which I proved my experience and got a very good reception. The word has already been spread a bit over there about my project and music. That’s the way you get to know more people, and networks widen. Only self-management, inverting and believing in my project.
—How does United Colors of Rhythm enter here?
Because of the general need of a place to show mine and other artists’ work in this new world.
—Could it be that this need is not too different to what happens in Chile, in regards to creating your own scene? What is the opportunity and the necessity generated over there?
It’s Just the same, it’s easier getting gigs if you’re capable of organizing them by yourself, there are very few clubs with organizers making the booking directly, almost every venue works with external promoters. I think the opportunity could appear by risking everything, getting out of the comfort zone and even if you’re not in your land, showing what you’re capable of. In this way, you begin to meet people and open your world.
—I understand that United Colors of Rhythm represents certain artists in order to promote musical creativity, similar to a record label but deeper, connecting art in all of its forms. In a certain way, this makes you a musical curator. What do you think of this?
That’s right, it is more than a record label. I call it a “Collective” and it’s related as much to music (to its strength) and to audiovisual art. Regarding to being a curator, I’ve always been one, especially from the moment I became a DJ, but through UCOR I take it to something more concrete, more artistic, more dream driven. Not just to pick, but also to experiment, joining artists and getting them to collaborate with each other.
—What is the formula or plan that keeps it away from being a record label?
There’s no formula, nor I would call it a plan, it’s more a collective of artists that collaborate with each other in order to get their ideas maximized.
—How do you see what is happening culturally in Madrid and Santiago? considering that you have to travel and absorb that duality in a certain way. What’s in common between what you see over there and here as an artist?
Hmm, I wouldn’t know, I see more differences but they are opportunities to us. We bring a unique sound that people take as a big surprise, it’s like they’re listening to something new that blows their minds and it’s music from Latin America, from your friends, from your roots and that’s when you realize the level Chile and South America in general have (in musical matters).
—Was it Madrid the answer you were looking for? Is it still the answer? Was there a need to leave behind Santiago in order to focus on self-production and getting through that project?
I went to Madrid for different reasons (love) and I’m trying to bring all my art to this city, that’s what I’m into now, reinventing myself, searching for new forms to show my work, making friends, to learn and to grow.
—What about your productions? Your tracks, is there a place or something that gets you inspired?
It’s like beginning from a blank page, I don’t have a fixed idea, just an emotion.
