Capullo de Jerez, cantaor. Flamenco interview

“Nobody can invent anything in flamenco
because it's all been invented already”

Carlos Sánchez. Jerez, October 2005
Translation: Joseph Kopec

Miguel Flores Capullo de Jerez is one of those cantaores who is an endangered species. Wild, anarchic and gutsy. With resounding strength and a unique, unmistakable trademark. Authentic and genuine. Capable of driving the crowd mad in the first stage of the soleá. He is a sincere, committed person. He says everything he thinks. His lyrics, catchy and direct, are the product of his experiences. As he puts it, “they're things of mine”. Thanks to that power to get things across that he has, he is able to bring over six thousand people to their feet. Among his most immediate projects is making a record with Paco de Lucía.

Capullo de Jerez (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

You were a smash hit last September in your native land at the Bulería Festival. You managed to bring over six thousand people to their feet. What did you feel?

That's a really great joy. It gives you a lot as an artist. The truth is that putting so many people on their feet and having them clap for you and mark the rhythm is something incredible. That usually happens a lot here because Jerez has the gift of rhythm. That gives you a lot of joy to work here.

And does that suppose greater responsibility when working?

Yeah, it does. But thank God, things have gone well for me in the places I've been. Now you have a certain responsibility and you have to give a high C.

This has been a very good year for you work-wise, hasn't it?

I'm really happy. This year's been very good; things are going really well for me. I've already done over twenty galas. I've been at the main festivals. I've got quite a few things sealed from now to year's end. I can't complain.

Is Capullo de Jerez a festival cantaor?

Festival … and, if possible, something greater. I consider myself an artist who gets across a lot to people, and more so to young people. They go crazy over me. I draw fans and that's important.

Two years ago at the Jerez Festival, you vindicated a place at the Villamarta Theater and they granted it to you…

Yeah. And a critic said a couple of things about me, but I didn't bear it in mind. I like to stay above that. You have to understand that we artists always try to contribute something, but it isn't always going to come out perfect.

Capullo de Jerez (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

Do you seek quality more than quantity?

I don't mind. For example, there's a brotherhood here in Jerez that organizes a festival every year which I don't usually miss. I also like to help people by doing my bit. I do quite a few tributes. I'm a very simple person.

What did you think of Fosforito being awarded Cante's Golden Key?

	"Fosforito is a man who's fought a lot for flamenco"

I think it's good. He's a man who's fought a lot for flamenco. He's an expert artist in all cantes. He's a very polite person and a very complete artist. If you're good, you're good.

But not everybody's good, are they?

Yeah. The truth is that I don't understand all the hype there is behind flamenco and music in general. There's a really strange atmosphere. A lot of people talk without having any idea of what they're saying. Nowadays they call someone who's made an album and is relatively famous, not because he's fought, but for other reasons.

La Paquera passed away, Chocolate has passed away… What pillars are left in this land?

There's still Manuel Agujetas. He's still there. Let's hope he lasts many more years. He's a cantaor I like a lot. I'm lured by the purity of cante.

Will ‘pure’ cante be lost in Jerez?

No. That'll always be there. If people like you, the cante will stay alive. I'm here, and as long as I'm here, I'll take cante all over the world.

But you don't usually go abroad, do you?

The thing is, I have a lot of work here. Nowadays I can consider myself to be one of the artists who's working the most. I go where people want me. If I have to go to Holland, then I'll go. Foreigners also feel and live flamenco. I don't mind going abroad, but just a few days (he laughs). If necessary, and there's money in it, I'll even go to Japan.

Your lyrics are direct and catchy. What do you seek with that?

To draw people to me. For people to understand your art and support you. That's basic. I try to draw the young crowd. Young people really like flamenco. Some like it more than others. It's like soccer teams: some root for (Real) Madrid and others for Barcelona. I'm lucky to have a great number of fans who support me everywhere I work.

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