Gizmo Varillas: ‘My goal is to create quality music’

Gizmo Varillas or as Guillermo Varillas Kortabarria’s name is, will be visiting Greece for two concerts, so we had the chance to get to know him a little bit more. Despina Stamataki asks for you all those things you would like to know.

Let’s see what we discovered and what you are about to find out about Gizmo Varillas:

1. What inspired you to start your music career and which artists were your biggest influences?

Music has been a part of my life since I was a child. I began playing guitar at age 10, quite by chance. There was a flamenco and classical guitar teacher giving lessons in the same apartment building where my grandparents lived in Santander. His class was on the ground floor, and I would pass by it every day on my way to school. Seeing ‘Guitar Lessons’ on his door, I asked my dad if I could join, and he got me my first guitar. It wasn’t driven by a passion for music, at that age, I was just curious and I quickly became captivated by the sound of nylon strings.

From then on, music was always a part of my life. As a teenager, I played in several punk and ska bands, and later joined a rock band in my 20s. I recorded acoustic music when I got home from school and gradually improved. It wasn’t until my mid-20s that I began to see myself as a solo artist, bringing all my influences together into my debut album, El Dorado.

Strangely, I never consciously ‘chose’ music as a career, it was simply what I always did. There was a point when I decided to move to London to pursue music, but I never had a Plan B, so it was inevitable that music would be my path.

My influences have evolved over the years. As a 90s kid, I was a fan of Nirvana. In my teens I was into bands like The Clash and Joe Strummer was and still is one of my heroes. I’ve always loved the classics like Bob Marley of course. Later, I got into indie rock with bands like Vampire Weekend and The War on Drugs. My interests then expanded to afro music, such as Fela Kuti.

Funnily enough, I started to really appreciate flamenco and artists like Paco de Lucía much later in life. Latin music, including Buena Vista Social Club, and Afro and folk music, like Orchestre Baobab, also became important to me. Music from Angola, such as Cesária Évora, captured my attention, and now I’m delving into Brazilian and jazz-infused genres, enjoying artists like Luiz Bonfá. All these influences continue to shape my identity, and I never leave any of them behind. I think with age my music taste has become more refined, but I still like the energy and power you get from punk and rock. It’s simple but that’s the beauty.

2. Your songs often have social and political messages. How do you choose the themes you want to explore?

I’m a very instinctive writer, often feeling compelled to explore certain topics or themes. These ideas linger in my subconscious, and I need to bring them to the surface. Writing melodies and creating music is a great way to express and explore these thoughts.

3. On which of your albums do you feel you have expressed yourself most freely and why?

I always feel like I’ve expressed myself freely, but the first three albums were written in small bedrooms while renting with several people in a flat in London, so it wasn’t exactly a fully liberating experience. My fourth album, coming out next year, was written while I lived alone with my wife in a flat in Brighton. It was the first time I had lived without sharing a place with 4 or 5 people. Although I still had neighbors below and next to my room, it felt much more liberating. I think the music and the songs reflect this change. I could express myself in a much more open way, singing with full emotion. This marked a significant shift in my life

4. How do you think your Spanish heritage influences your musical identity?

My Spanish heritage has certainly had a significant influence on my life as an artist, but I didn’t truly discover my passion for it until my late 20s. Before then, I loved the sound of nylon guitars and artists like Manu Chao, but I was more focused on British and Caribbean influences. It was while living in the vibrant, multicultural city of London that I began to appreciate Latin music. I worked at a cultural center called Rich Mix, which hosted bands from all over the world, particularly in the realm of world music. Seeing the musicianship of these performers live was a crucial part of my development and appreciation.

5. How do you deal with the challenges of the music industry, especially as an independent artist?

The music industry is constantly evolving, and as artists, we need to adapt to keep up or risk being left behind. Ultimately, my main goal is to create the best music possible and connect with my fans and fellow artists. The rest, from an industry perspective, is not my primary concern.

6. What collaborations would you like to do in the future and why? Is there a stockpile?

I’m very open to collaborations, but I need to resonate with both the music and the message of the artist. The themes and content they write about are important to me. I aim to create quality music, regardless of genre. I’m interested in working with artists from around the world, connecting across cultures to blend our art and music. The list of potential collaborators would be too long to write out, but I generally prefer when artists approach me rather than the other way around.

7. What do you hope your audience gets out of your music and your messages?

I hope it serves as a way for people to experience life more vibrantly, through music, travel, and driving through diverse landscapes while appreciating the beauty around them. I hope it helps people heal and connect with a deeper side of themselves, that it inspires reflection, and encourages them to embrace the natural world. Ultimately, I hope it serves as a reminder that we are all interconnected, together and with the planet, we are one and the same.

8. How has your approach to music production changed from your first album to now?

It’s very similar, I just have more experience and can create deeper productions. But the process is similar. I like to record real instruments, creating an organic feel. I generally tend to guide myself by melody and rhythm. So nothing has changed in that sense. I just have more instruments, tools and knowledge at my disposa nowl.

9. Is there any particular event or period in your life that you feel has had a significant impact on your musical path?

Certainly, crossing paths with a guitar teacher, as I mentioned earlier, was a significant moment. I believe every encounter and change contributes to the puzzle of my musical identity. From joining those early bands as a teen, to moving to Brighton, to my father’s passing a few years ago, each of these experiences has impacted how I view the world and approach music.

10. What has been the most challenging album you have produced and what was the biggest challenge during its production?

All of my albums have been challenging. I’ve always been experimental in my approach and have had no formal training, so I’ve had to work hard to bring my ideas to life. I’m intuitive in my process, often gravitating toward ideas that feel effortless. However, this doesn’t mean I don’t face struggles; it sometimes takes me two or three different versions of a song before I’m satisfied. But when everything finally clicks, it resonates on a much deeper level. I’m quite sensitive to this, so I know when something isn’t working.

11. Have you experimented with different genres of music? Which genre do you feel best expresses your creativity?

I blend many styles and influences, so I wouldn’t want to single out one in particular. I’m most proud of the songs I’ve written that incorporate different flavors, as this keeps things fresh and interesting for me. Ultimately, my goal is to push boundaries, even if it’s just my own. Exploring something I’ve never done before is what excites me.

12. Is there a particular message or emotion you are trying to communicate through your music career?

An appreciation for nature, unity and connection are themes that come to mind. Although I write about many other things too.

13. What is your opinion of the digital age of music and how has it affected your career?

Like everything, the digital age has its pros and cons. On the positive side, it has allowed me to have a fully independent career in music, for which I am grateful. It’s an exciting time for new artists who want to build their careers. While it requires time and a lot of hard work, it is certainly possible.

14. How do you deal with critics and how do they influence you in creating new music?

It’s impossible to please everyone, so I focus on what I enjoy, creating music that I love, connecting with my fans, and collaborating with people who enjoy working with me. I prefer to concentrate on the music and the people who appreciate it. That’s what matters most to me.

Thank you very much Gizmo for this very nice interview and for letting us get to know you a little bit more.

We will definitely see you at the Lycabettus Municipal Theatre on Friday 20 September, when you will play music with Jack Savorreti!

For those interested in finding out more, then click εδώ.

You can read the interview in Greek version