José Manuel León introduces a pioneer encounter between guitar and electronic music at Vaivenes Flamencos 2009

The new trends festival in Alcalá de Guadaíra (Seville), which is to be held from June 26th to July 12th, recovers the show ‘Dime’ by Javier Barón

S.C./Flamenco-world.com, June 2009
Cover photo: Noah Shaye

Flamenco once again refutes those who say everything has already been invented. Together with Artomatico, José Manuel León is going to star in the first encounter between flamenco guitar and electronic music in the history of the genre, knocking his album ‘Sirimusa’ up a revolutionary notch. The concert will take place on July 11th in the setting of Festival Vaivenes Flamencos 2009, which is to be held from June 26th to July 12th at Alcalá de Guadaíra Castle, near Seville. And it isn’t the only main attraction in the second edition of this festival of new jondo trends. The bill offers shows such as the revival of ‘Dime’ by Javier Barón, ‘Tabula rasa’ by Israel Galván, a concert by the group ElBicho and ‘Flamenco Big Band’ by Perico Sambeat, among others.

Artomatico + Flamenco con Estévez, Paños and Arimany (Photo David Muñoz)

If a word stands out when José Manuel León and Artomatico talk about the premiere of ‘Sirimusa eléctrico’ at Vaivenes Flamencos 2009, it is “risk”. The flamenco guitarist and electronic musician are ready to “break away from stereotypes”. And to do so, the project consists of “breaking down the songs off the album ‘Sirimusa’, opening them and experimenting within”, the guitarist comments. And that, according to Artomatico, “requires a really great effort to adapt guitar to machines, and vice versa”.

This musical adventure, which will be seen for the first time at Alcalá Castle on Saturday, July 11th, is joined by saxophonist Kike Perdomo, contrabass player Martín Leyton and percussionist Nacho Arimany, all of whom are committed to “dialogue and understanding”. But both of them stress the participation of bailaores Nani Paños and Rafael Estévez, since “they create tension and happiness in us; they raise the artistic level high up and they have to be given material for them to feel free and fulfilled as artists”.

Prepared especially for them is the granaína, whose “surprise is that the choreography goes with the melodic music and not the rhythmic”. They also emphasize songs like the soleá, in which “José Manuel uses sampling both live and in the recording”; and ‘Hay que ser positivo’ which, according to Artomatico, “has been broken down and turned into a new song starting from the harmony”. Beyond the sound ambiences, the breaking down and the new way of playing, the star ingredient will be improvisation, “which intervenes fifty percent, since the songs are open to things happening… although there are people who may leave after ten minutes”.

Israel Galván on 'Tabula rasa' (Photo David Muñoz)

From ‘Tabula rasa’ to ‘Dime’

The new project by the Algeciras-born guitarist is included on a bill focusing on new musical and dance trends in flamenco. The program is inaugurated on Friday, July 3rd by musician Perico Sambeat with the live show of his latest album, ‘Flamenco Big Band’. The following night stars Sevillian bailaora La Choni with the show ‘Tejidos al tiempo’, which she had already presented at Bienal de Sevilla 2008. The first weekend is to be closed by Israel Galván with his risky show ‘Tabula rasa’, where he dances without cante or music, on Sunday, July 5th.

The second block of performances will be opened by the children’s show ‘El flamenco en cuatro estaciones’ (‘Flamenco in Four Seasons’) by the Silvia Marín Company on Thursday, July 9th. The next day will be for the group ElBicho, in concert with a selection of songs off their hit albums. Following the aforementioned ‘Sirimusa eléctrico’, the festival is to be closed on July 12th by bailaor Javier Barón, native to this Seville-area town, with the revival of his prizewinning show ‘Dime’, inspired by Lorca and his life in Huerta de San Vicente.

Vaivenes Flamencos 2009 will be preceded by the traditional Joaquín el de la Paula Flamenco Festival, which holds its thirty-first edition at the same venue on June 27th, with the 4th Manolito María Fans Flamenco Festival the night before. This year the lineup includes cantaores Miguel Poveda, Cancanilla and Argentina, as well as Morón-born bailaor Juan de Juan.

Perico Sambeat, Flamenco Big Band (Photo David Muñoz)

Festival Vaivenes Flamencos 2009 Alcalá Castle (Patio de los Silos). Alcalá de Guadaíra, Seville (Spain) Friday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 12th, 2009 Friday, July 3rd Perico Sambeat ‘Flamenco Big Band’ Saturday, July 4th La Choni ‘Tejidos al tiempo’ Sunday, July 5th Israel Galván ‘Tabula rasa’ Thursday, July 9th Silvia Marín Company ‘El flamenco en cuatro estaciones’ Friday, July 10th ElBicho in concert Saturday, July 11th José Manuel León + Artomatico ‘Sirimusa Eléctrico’ Nani Paños, Rafael Estévez, Kike Perdomo, Martín Leyton and Nacho Arimany Sunday, July 12th Javier Barón ‘Dime’