Juanes, in a revealing interview, confirms three concerts in Peru | EXCLUSIVE

the inordinate love of Juanes by Metallica, one of the greatest legends of heavy rock, brought him intimately closer to metal in his musical beginnings with the band Ekhymosis. As a teenager, he led him to dream of creating an album of covers and tributes like the great “Garage Days Re-Revisited” (1987). Almost three and a half decades later, he managed to fulfill that dream with “Origin”, his most recent album and the name of the musical tour that will bring him to Peru after touring more than 13 cities on the Old Continent and passing through Mexico.

The winner of 26 Latin Grammys will return to our country this year to offer three presentations. On the night of August 27, he will be at the Arequipeña Beer Garden Festival in Arequipa, along with Fonseca, Gian Marco Zignago, Mike Bahía, Rombai and We the Lion. On the 29th he will sing together with Fonseca at Arena Peru, in Lima. We The Lion will be in charge of the opening of this event.

The next point of the tour will be on August 30 in Cusco, to lead the Apufest festival at the Llaulliapata hacienda, Sacsayhuamán. The interpreter of ¨La Camisa Negra¨ will be together with Rombai, We the Lion, Milena Warthon, Temple Sour, La Sonora Patronal, Canela China and Yardigans. The festival will have an additional stage for intermissions by DJs Barzo, Shushupe, Tayta, Dj Luigi and Tito Silva. Ticket sales begin this July 4 through Teleticket.

“The show we have is powerful, forceful from start to finish. My music goes a bit to different places, there are elements of rock, popular music and then there is a journey through my catalog and -obviously- also through ‘Origen’, my most recent album in which I paid tribute to my great musical references”, says the Colombian singer-songwriter.

—In “Origen” you return to your roots, you interpret songs by artists who inspired your beginnings, from vallenato to rock and bolero. What has it represented to connect with your essence, with the past?

A lot of things, but I would say that initially it was like an opportunity to make a more conceptual album where I didn’t have so much pressure to compose music but -just- put on the costume of another composer. It was a very special journey for me because these songs determined some decisions that I made in life.

“Is it the result of nostalgia or gratitude?”

Of both because I really enjoy nostalgia and I live in the past, in the present and project myself into the future. Also of gratitude because, in the end, when I think about why I decided to make music and continue to do so, it is because, at some point, all these artists or all these songs inspired me.

—How did you get interested in covering songs?

I remember very much my adolescence, when I lived in Medellín, I had in my room, above my bed, a poster of “Garage Days Re-Revisited”, an album that Metallica recorded with songs by other artists. I always thought something very special about that tribute to the rock bands that inspired their music. And about five years ago, during a meeting with the team I work with, it occurred to me to make this cover album because sometimes after shows or at family gatherings we are always singing these songs. We think it is an interesting and more conceptual project.

—Do you plan to create “Origin 2″ with the songs that were selected, but could not enter this album?

At the moment, no; Well, I’m focused on composing, making my own music again. The list of songs that we had was long, but the ones that were chosen, in a way, spanned my childhood, adolescence and my mature stage.

—You once said that it flatters you, but it also makes you feel adult when young people tell you that they came to your shows because their parents showed them your songs. Are you worried about the passing of the years?

I worried more before, when I was 30 and I thought I was going to be 40 (laughs). I would not change this moment of my life for anything, because I feel fulfilled, much more comfortable with myself. I look in the mirror and say: ‘Good, brother!’ I also believe that the experience of life, the successes, the failures and the family shape you. Today I understand much more the miracle of life, starting with my children. I feel very happy and super happy to be almost 50 years old (his birthday is August 9).

—Can you tell us something about the new unreleased album? Does it come out this year?

There are thirteen songs, at least one we will release this year, the rest next year. I’m too happy because it marks the clarity, the forcefulness of what my music is, it’s like a renewal of my way of writing and playing the guitar. It has a bit of rock, funk and Caribbean music too. It has two moments, one serious and one happy.

—Last year, Gian Marco announced that he wrote a new song with you that will “leave a mark”. Will that song be part of your album?

That song that we wrote together and that I love, because Gian Marco is a very talented and agile guy to throw melodies, will be in the second stage of this project. That record will be out in two years.

—You are the Colombian musician with the most Grammys won. Does winning an award make you happy? What makes you happy?

Human beings are always in constant change, we have moments of joy, worry, anger… Whether happiness exists or not is a question. As for art in general, happiness has to do with doing something that you like, that makes you feel honest, comfortable. Being famous does not mean being successful or happy. It makes me happy, for example, to find music that I like and with which I feel identified.

—At some point in your career, did fame overwhelm you?

At some point I felt like a block, it is inevitable not to feel pressure, especially when you start, when you have no experience; but right now I feel like focusing on what I like and doing only what I love.

—When “A Normal Day” turned two decades old, you launched a special remastered edition in different formats. Is it the most important album of your career?

I could not say that it is the most important, but it is one of the most important. It marks a before and after because it was really where my solo career began to move internationally. When I look back, I love seeing people of all ages singing my songs. It is a moment of great light.

—If you could talk to the Juan Esteban of the 90s, what would you say?

Thank you very much for having done what you did, then I would tell him to believe in him, not to be afraid, that we are here.

—Did you feel a lot of fear at the beginning?

To be honest no. If I had been afraid, I would not have dared to leave my home for the United States to look for opportunities without having anything concrete. It was really crazy. But having had the strength to face that emptiness of uncertainty served me well, and for that I am grateful.

—Two years ago you fulfilled the dream of singing on a Metallica album as part of the celebration of 30 years of the Black Album. Do you have any other dreams as big as that?

That has been one of my biggest dreams because I have been a fan of Metallica all my life, and -obviously- I have many more dreams because I always seek to do different things. To stop dreaming is to die in life and I don’t want that for myself.