Julian Tenembaum is an Argentinian composer, pianist and producer. He has announced the release of the debut album called Fragmentos which will be out on July 1st via Schole Records. According to the press release, The compositions on Fragmentos were born from the fascination for the piano as an instrument and also as a way of feeling music, landscapes and sonorities. It recreates moments and parts of life, makes us immerse in the deepest and be able to come to light. Recorded in the beautiful MCL recording studio with a grand piano and at a friend’s house with a beautiful room to record on his piano.
Today we have the pleasure to share a new track called “Nocturno“. Listen below and read our chat with the artist (Translation: Andrea Romer).
Let’s start from the current situation. How are you living these strange times and what are the main concerns as an artist?
These last two years were strange since isolation forced us to get off the stages and the fervor of the artist’s contact with the public was lost. Personally, I find it very sad not to be able to perform live or to go and see my favourite artists.
Something that worries me as an artist is the immediacy in which we live because we cannot enjoy the process of our creations: you always have to be thinking about the next thing.
You have announced the debut album “Fragments”. What are the first vivid memories of this album and what was the main focus when you started to think about this album?
The idea of making this album started five years ago while at home. I’ve played a lot in bands, in fact, I had my own pop band, and I felt I was making something that didn’t represent me.
Here in Argentina and Latin America is not common to make this type of music so I started to create the album. It doesn’t have a specific theme: it’s a compilation of my experiences.
I wouldn’t say that it is a pandemic album but the fact of not being able to go anywhere and staying at home helped me to find focus and finish the album. When the pandemic struck, I moved all my equipment to my girlfriend’s house and set up my studio there. A year later, in May 2021, I started recording the album at the studio.
According to the press release, the compositions on “Fragmentos” were born from the fascination for the piano as an instrument. How was born your relationship with the piano?
When I was 6 years old my father taught me to play the guitar and at 8 years old when I asked my parents to sign me up in the guitar music conservatory, my father decided to enroll me in piano. It was not what I expected but I fell in love with the instrument from the first contact, it was the best decision they made for me.
The Artwork is very interesting. How did you choose it? How much important is the visual part for your work?
I worked on the art of the album with Shin Kikuchi, the CEO and Creative Director of Schole Records. I sent him some references and we started a back-and-forth exchange between his creations and what he had in mind.
I was looking for something minimalist but with a visual impact. In my opinion, the visual aspect of an album – from the album cover to their videos – is very important since I think it should accompany the listening experience of the audience.
You are from Argentina, right? I’m really interested in the connection between the places we live over the years, our roots and the art. How do you feel these themes connected to your music, your way to think music? What are your favorite places which inspired the most?
Yes, I am from Argentina, a very large country with diverse climates and landscapes, where different musical genres coexist. The south of Argentina is a very inspiring place for me.
I often go to switch off and get away from the maelstrom of the city.
However, traveling to other countries also inspire my music, like Cinigiano, a small Tuscan town, which is a very special place to me. In fact, one of the songs of the album is dedicated to this beautiful place.
Ritual question. Have you seen or heard anything good recently?
I listen to a lot of different genres of music constantly since as a producer I have to be aware of what is happening in the world. The records that I have been listening to lately and caught my attention were “Motomami” by Rosalia and “Multitude” by Stromae.