While a duck threw himself happily at the pool and a carpenter bird insistently hammered a palm tree in the garden of his house in Los Angeles, Noel Schajris connected to us to talk. The scenario, almost cinematographic, perfectly reflected the free and authentic spirit of the Argentine singer -songwriter, who has not only marked generations with his music, but today celebrates a historical achievement as an independent artist.
With the same emotion with which Barnes & Noble visits with their children to listen to vinyl, Noel tells us what it means to see their own record productions – as I always knew and my present – on the shelves of that iconic store nationwide. “Years ago I told my family that it would be great to be in this beautiful store … and two years later, I fulfill that dream,” he told us excitedly.
Recognized worldwide for having been part of the duo without a flag, Noel is now the first independent Latin American singer -songwriter with exclusive distribution in Barnes & Noble throughout the United States, a milestone that has achieved with patience, vision and unconditional support of his wife – who calls his “strategic genius” -. In addition, he owns his own label, Dynamo Producciones, has been a mentor of new talents in the Latin industry, and was one of the first artists to launch an official app to sell his physical music and maintain direct contact with his followers.
This launch is aligned with an increasing trend: sales of vinyl in the United States increased for the tenth consecutive year, with an increase of 6.4% in 2024, according to IFPI data, which shows that the public continues to deeply value music as physical and emotional experience.
In this talk, Noel reflects on his love for vinyl, the importance of music as a tangible experience and his firm defense of the #return -dodetumusic movement, which drives artists to reconnect with the real value of their art and their creative freedom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wuwuu3abmu
What did you feel when you find out that your albums will be available in all Barnes & Noble stores in the United States?
It is enormous satisfaction, because I am a fan of physical music, vinyl and CDs. The sale of vinyl has been a constant in recent years and the new generations love having a vinyl in their hands and living the experience of enjoying an album. I am a fan of going to Barnes & Noble with my children to listen to vinyl and years ago I told my family that ‘it would be great to be in this beautiful store’ and two years later that dream. I am the first Latin American singer -songwriter who has that opportunity and is an honor.
As the first independent artist to achieve this national distribution. What does this milestone mean for you and how did you succeed?
With great patience and with the help of my wife who is a genius to contact the right people. Let’s take vinyls around the world!
You mention how important art, librettos and even the aroma of paper is for you. What value today has music in physical formats such as vinyl and CD?
For me they have immense value because immediately having a vinyl in your hand, you realize the art, heart and the great work that generated that album. On streaming platforms, you are not really aware of what that song was to do; There is no respect for names and all the hearts involved.
Vinyl by its nature, you can’t be doing skip all the time. You give yourself to listen to the whole side A and B and you give yourself to live that experience. I also believe a lot on the digital disc as it is acquired. For example, in Barnes & Noble stores, when acquiring my vinyl, there is immediately a QR code and have access to the digital copy of the disk included. They will have two by one.
You are a great promoter of the #ReturviDueñodetumusica movement. How was this philosophy and what message do you want to leave the new artists?
The hashtag occurred to us in the last two, three years, and a very clear decline of the music industry is being observed in the last six years. It is a fairly unsustainable system in the sense of how unfair it is with artists and creators. From a little and with a lot of conscience and brave artists we are talking. This means again owns your master, or the recording of your album, owner of your music and your destiny.
How has your vision of the industry changed from your beginnings with without flag until today as an independent and entrepreneurial artist?
When I started in the year ’98, there was a different perception but one learns along the way. That is why it is important for me to be clear and expose things as they are so that the children who come back understand what the options are and make decisions knowing the consequences. Now with without flag we have a new finished album that will also come out this year.
Any special memory that comes to mind when you think about your first physical album?
Uyy, well, of the first flagless albums that were CD obviously. In my album, ‘See you born’, in 2014, I already took a vinyl and started having that love back for the vinyl. And I see with great joy that every year it grows more and is not going to stop, because people have a need to return to contact and the connection.
