Zaravia, the Guatemalan singer -songwriter José Arzú Saravia, invites us to climb the speed with “Monaco”, a song where the female body is running curve, without brakes and without return. Recorded in the legendary unison of Gustavo Cerati in Buenos Aires, each note vibrates with desire, adrenaline and poetry, taking the listener to a trip that feels as intense as a racing track.
His music knows no limits: Pop rock hugs, blues, ballad, reggae and even rancheras, always with authenticity and an own seal. With immutable, Zaravia builds songs born from the chest and not the algorithm, works that do not ask for permission and that stay, while everything else happens. His voice has resonated in international scenarios and shared with Morat, Reik, Melendi and soon Juanes, consolidating a solid and clear direction.
Selected two consecutive years for the Pepsi Music Festival – refreshing tour in Guatemala, Zaravia is emerging as one of the most promising emerging talents in Central America. In this interview he tells us how “Monaco” was born, which meant recording in an iconic study and the next steps of his career, between shows, discs and emotions that do not stop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaDoyz7y68
Zaravia, “Monaco” is a song that mixes poetry, desire and speed. How was this powerful metaphor between the female body and a racing track?
Music has always been with me, but I also have a very strong passion for the motorized world, in which I have run motocross and cars at an almost professional level in the countries where I have been. However, I had very hard injuries, and that was when music, which has always accompanied me, became even more important. I have always felt passion for this race, and I asked myself: how can I mix my past without being too literal?
I went to Monaco for being the most prestigious track and used the metaphor of prestige, danger and fine motor skills that are required on that clue to describe the body of a beautiful woman.
The song was recorded in unison, the study founded by Gustavo Cerati. What did it mean to you to enter that iconic space of Latin American music?
It was a real blessing that my team was in Argentina. Although they never mentioned anything, it was a surprise on the day of the recording discover that it was Cerati’s personal study, where I recorded his most precious works of art. I had the opportunity to be within that energy of rock and roll and Gustavo Cerati.
You have said that “Monaco” is the meeting point between your two past: the roar of the engines and the silence that a woman leaves when passing. How was that internal process to unite these two passions?
I came to mind how to unify my past and my present just on the weekend of Monaco’s career. Then I thought: we are going to use this prestige, this passion and fire that represents Monaco, based on the racing track, and we will describe the body of a woman.
Your immutable album is presented as a statement against the ephemeral, betting on emotion and permanence. What “Monaco” is connected with that personal manifesto?
Because it is a song that makes you want to listen to the rest of the album.
Your artistic journey hugs genres such as pop rock, blues, reggae and even rancheras. How do you describe your musical identity today? Is there a conductive thread among all those influences?
I am a singer -songwriter and I have a very blues style when singing my melodies. I am also a rocker. I have styles that I manage to make mine. More than several identities within music, they are different personalities. For example, I have a rock-farm that I do completely mine. So I describe myself as a dynamic singer -songwriter: I don’t confine myself in a single sound.
You come from motorcycling, where you were national champion. What sport lessons have you brought to your musical career?
Discipline and passion for what you do. Although they are opposite poles, doing so with passion is something that I always carry with me.
What’s still for Zaravia after “Monaco”? Any new album, collaboration or sleep that is about to be fulfilled?
Shows and another album come that I love a lot, which is more me. The strongest Zaravia brand. There are many things that move me too much. This year I will record this new album where I have always dreamed, in Nashville, Tennessee. I really like the country, rock & roll and blues. Being able to go to Earth where the brand that I want to take to the Latinos of Rock and Country Blues is born. Being able to make the exact sound that I am trying is something that excites me a lot.
