Juan Manuel Rey

 

Juan Manuel Rey has mastered of one of the most entertaining and nuanced styles of pop entertainment we've come across in recent years, and his new single ‘Era De Placer’ shows why you'll be hearing a lot more of him.

With undeniable vocal talent and fine-tuned production served straight up, Juan Manuel Rey is an artist that any pop music enthusiast will thoroughly enjoy. The success of his latest awarding-winning work has not gone unnoticed by the critics, with one recently writing: ‘To say this artist is proficient with the Latin pop idiom is not enough - listen to tracks like 'Era De Placer' to witness the delightful mayhem that issues forth when an expert sidesteps convention to conjure something new.’ Yet there’s something special about Juan Manuel Rey that sets him apart from other pop acts. In a musical generation characterized by manufactured pop acts, Juan Manuel Rey's originality and sincerity do more than stand out. They reveal qualities that cannot be engineered in the studio. There’s also an unpretentious realness to this artist out of Buenos Aires, Argentina and judging by his growing fan base, he may be precisely what the new generation didn't know it was missing. Independent reporter Blake Wright recently caught up with Juan Manuel Rey to get an inside look at this exciting new artist and to learn what he has in store for fans this year.

BLAKE: Let's just get this out in the open- What is the craziest thing that has happened to you in your music career?
JUAN MANUEL REY: The craziest thing that happened to me in my musical career was that they paid me with a bottle of beer after having given a show at full steam before a wealthy audience.

BLAKE: Your song ’Era De Placer’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
JUAN MANUEL REY: Wow, great! My reaction was to overflow with joy and happiness.

BLAKE: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single?
JUAN MANUEL REY: The inspiration came after watching a couple of movies about the Mafia.

BLAKE: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
JUAN MANUEL REY: Of course, the death of my father made me see another world.

BLAKE: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving, complicated…)
JUAN MANUEL REY: I think I'm a bit of everything, I try to be balanced.

 

BLAKE: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
JUAN MANUEL REY: I like companionship and teamwork very much, they are all good experiences.

BLAKE: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
JUAN MANUEL REY: My grandparents and father were musicians (although later they did not follow professional careers.)

BLAKE: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
JUAN MANUEL REY: The most gratifying thing about being an artist is that I can express myself as I am, while the hardest thing is to earn money and respect.

BLAKE: Who are your role models in music?
JUAN MANUEL REY: Actually my list is very extensive but to name a few, Prince, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan,

BLAKE: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
JUAN MANUEL REY: It was when I sang before 600 real people. It was very exciting to feel the energy of that many people singing alongside me.

BLAKE: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
JUAN MANUEL REY: Work and pursue your goals, knowing that nothing is free and you will have to fight. Then get up and go find what you want. I believe that work, study, dedication and discipline can be a great help to find what you want and to sustain it throughout life.

BLAKE: What's next for you as an artist? Is there a new single in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
JUAN MANUEL REY: As always, continue to work, and yes, I have many songs ready... 39 songs of my authorship registered and 10 songs unpublished, but at the moment SADAIC is working very badly, so I prefer to have my songs protected in my notebook and when the right time comes, I will record them.

BLAKE: I look forward to hearing your new work! Thank you for letting us get to know you better as a musician and I wish you the best of luck and continued success.

http://juanrey2000.wixsite.com/juan-manuel-rey