Is it possible to musically create a techno chotis? And a Europop couplet? DeTeresa, stage name of Inés Ramos de Teresa, confirms that yes. The young woman from Madrid is one of the 16 finalists at the Benidorm Fest to represent Spain in the next Eurovision Song Contest. He does it with a song that combines traditional and avant-garde styles to proclaim that grief is a better husband than men. “The initial composition was more coplera and with a very dramatic ending. Later, I decided to take it to Europop and I saw that the mix worked,” he says in an interview for El HuffPost.
Its hallmark is, precisely, to mix traditional sounds with new trends, without ever neglecting good taste and elegance. And the formula works. Her candidacy is one of the most interesting for the festival this year and a good demonstration of her potential as a producer and singer. “If no one has thought of experimenting with our beautiful music until now, then I’m going to do it,” he says with a smile.
During the talk, DeTeresa reveals details about her staging for Benidorm, the care of her mental health and the dark places of a music industry that she still considers backward when it comes to gender equality. “In this world there is a lot of gatekeeping; that is, you can only go through doors if someone opens them for you. And the keys to those doors are usually held by men,” she says.
– What first impressions do you have of the reception your candidacy has had? Do you think it has excited the Eurofans?
– Since my song came out, The PenaltyI have received a lot of love and many messages of affection. And taking into account that my proposal is very different from what is usually heard, it is quite a compliment.
– The song has copla, pasodoble, europop and techno. How is it possible to mix all these styles and have something so bright and compact?
– Each song is a world. I wanted to write a topic about grief being a better husband than men. So I met with my co-writer, Vera Noor, and in three hours we discussed the song. The initial composition was more coplera and with a very dramatic ending. Then I decided to take it to Europop and I saw that the mix worked. Although to tell you the truth, I sent the proposal to Benidorm Fest without any expectations. I didn’t think they would select me among the 16 finalists.
– In these years of Benidorm Fest we have had different folk songs, such as those by Tanxugueiras, Karmento or María Peláe. And all of them, although they have not won, have turned out well. Do you think you could take the bronze microphone?
– This year there is also an arrow like the one Lachispa presented, which has me completely obsessed. I’m your opponent, I know, but I’m very much in that boat. It’s very cool to be able to present things with a Spanish flavor and give them a different twist.
– Could Benidorm Fest be the only platform on television that dares, at this time, to bet on this type of proposals?
-If I told you that I like pure folklore, I would lie to you. I love mixing that sound with pop culture. So for me it is no problem to put mainstream to my music so that it reaches a larger audience. And if no one has thought to experiment with that beautiful music of ours, then I’m going to do it.
Cover of the single La Pena, by DeTeresa
– You also surprised a lot with the cover of your single, which reflects that traditional and modern mix of your proposal. How did the idea come about?
– I like the sense of the ridiculous, but always from elegance. It occurred to my partner Fran Granada and I to play with the gilda and I stuck it with the toothpick. At first we thought about including a piquillo pepper in the olive, but then we thought it was too much and we removed it.
– Are we going to see something also very traditional in your staging?
– I can only tell you that it is going to be striking and not very predictable. It’s not what is expected of me.
– You have promised yourself to enjoy this adventure, but always taking care of your mental health. Are you afraid that pressure will play tricks on you?
-When you are exposed it is as if you were naked in front of a million people. So you have to accept the way your body may react at this moment. There is a lot of noise, a lot of pressure… and that can cloud the purpose. It’s really hard to constantly remind yourself to trust yourself and take care of yourself no matter what.
– You have been working hard in the world of music for some time now. What is your opinion on this industry? Is it as difficult as it seems from the outside?
– The music industry is strange. I would tell you that it is a 100% competitive world and there is a lot gatekeeping; That is, you can only cross doors if someone opens them for you. And the key to those doors is usually held by men. The music industry is very limited by men in power. For example, I learned to produce alone because I didn’t want a guy to have control of my sound. So, here’s my advice for girls who are starting out in music: don’t let anyone have power over them. I’m not saying that all guys are like that, but there is still a huge gender inequality.
– Do you know of cases of men who abuse their position in music to obtain favors?
– Yes, there are! I know many. I even have a list of people I will never work with. And it’s not something I say lightly. I’m not going to make accusations against anyone without evidence, but there are too many cases of this type within the music industry.
– Aside from the Benidorm Fest, what wish do you make for 2025, which is about to begin?
– I am a very ambitious person. If I wish for something, I wish very big. Now I’m making an album that revolves around Spain potash. I would love to be a point of unity for all Spaniards no matter who you vote for or your mentality. Spanish does not have to be only linked to the right. Our culture and our music belong to everyone. And with this album I would love to tour throughout Spain, give a lot of shows and, if possible, without an economic ceiling. And, of course, I would also like to be able to go to the United States for a while to compose and produce.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.es
