Leire, from La Oreja de Van Gogh: “Every time we do bigger tours in Argentina”

More than 25 years after its inception in the city of San Sebastián, the band La Oreja de Van Gogh continues to be at the top, releasing songs and albums that have successfully and widely toured throughout Latin America.

Now, after performing in Mexico and the United States, the band returns to Argentina, where the tour began in nine cities, which includes a great concert at the Movistar Arena on Saturday, May 28. The idea is to present his latest album live, A whisper in the storm, which has already released hits Hold me, you look like me, while looking Y mermaids.

By phone at the tour stop, singer Leire Martínez told details of the current moment the band is experiencing, with the line-up being completed with Álvaro Fuentes, Pablo Benegas, Xabi San Martín and Haritz Garde .

“The tour to the United States -he said- was in November and we were postponing it from last year, because we had to postpone it because of the pandemic. It was incredible to be able to do it and leave Spain after a long time. Without the tour . “

Singing after the pandemic

-I think it was especially satisfying after the cessation caused by the pandemic.

-Yes. We’re back on stage in Spain, but it’s traveling again.

-How were the first months of the pandemic for you?

-At first there was a lot of uncertainty and no one knew exactly what was going on, more than the number of those who got sick and died. I think we’re all scared of that feeling. When you get used to the idea that you can’t get out of your house, you feel safer, and in our case we’re lucky there are no infected people nearby, so we’re safe, to put it in a way.

-How is it in your case?

-If honestly, once the fear was over and from the silence of your house, I was actually satisfied because I had plenty of time for myself, without being aware of the clock. This is very good.

The theme with Alex Ubago

-A little while ago, “Being with you” came out, your collaboration for Alex Ubago’s new album. How did this happen?

-Alex has always been a friend of the group. We are all from the same city, San Sebastián, and we even have the same management office. There are many things that bind us together more than what is strictly musical and that is why he is not only a professional companion but a great friend. She had been to our weddings and we were with her. That’s why we were so excited when he asked us to celebrate so many years of racing with a really good song.

Plans for this year

-Are you going on tour all year, and do you plan to record songs again soon?

-At this moment, it turns, turns and turns. We still have to complete this journey through the Southern Cone, along with Argentina and Chile, and then start the Spanish summer with lots of concerts. We will continue with the shows until the end of the year. Only then should we sit down and think about the new music project.

A memory

-What do you remember about your first visit to Argentina?

-The first time we promoted, was in October 2008. There were many interviews in many media, both newspapers and radio and television. I think we also passed through Córdoba and there are always a lot of people coming to us at the hotel or at the airport. Since then we have been many times.

-Each visit adds more cities.

-Yes. In the past 14 years, since I joined, we have expanded even more. At first there were three or four cities, and each time we got along in as many provinces, as far north as possible and as far south as possible. Argentina is one of the most important countries in history and is on the agenda of La Oreja de Van Gogh.

the argentinian tour

• May 17 – Opus – Rio Cuarto
• May 19 – Quality Space – Córdoba Capital
• May 21, Mercedes Sosa Theater – Tucumán
• May 25 – Provincial Theater – Salta
• May 27- Central Park- Neuquén
• May 28 – Luna Park Stadium – Buenos Aires
• May 30- Arena Maipú- Mendoza

mfb