Sometimes you have to hit pause on the endless noise and tune in to your own self. That’s what Natisú did, and for the Santiago, Chile artist, the message, or the realization, became her newest album Hay en Fuego. We talked with her about the process, along with stepping back into live performance, and how to appreciate the small things in the midst of such difficult big moments.
Sofar: First, what city are you located in?
Natisú: I’m located in Santiago, but I’ve been going to New York City every year since 2015 to play and visit friends. It’s becoming an important city for me.
In the process of making Hay en Fuego, you talked about recovering your inner flame. Can you talk a bit about that?
When I started writing the songs I was disappointed in the music industry– not just the industry, but the whole capitalist [neoliberalism] system that can be so ferocious and hard. I started to reminisce in how my creative process was when I was a child, and when I was a teenager, and had no expectations in regards to my Spotify numbers or Instagram followers, or how many tickets I have to sell. All those expectations have had an impact on how I see myself as a musician. It hasn’t been that positive. I tried to get myself into this nostalgic mood and started to have flashbacks on how it [felt] to make music, write lyrics, do anything other than be preoccupied with money. I realized I had a flame in me, this passion that wasn’t rational, that wasn’t functional, didn’t [come] from productivity, it was just a very candid passion.
You’ve just recently released the new album into the world. How has it been to share it with listeners?
Very rewarding. I’ve had a lot of positive and beautiful comments about the album from friends, fans, family, some press. But most of all it’s been rewarding just to share something that I’ve been working on for the past six years. I was starting to feel like I’d been pregnant for six years– it was starting to become very uncomfortable. I was starting to be extremely anxious about it, so it’s been relieving as well.
Natisú performing Sofar NYC in 2019, photo by Rachel AnsleyLet’s talk about live music. How has it been to return to playing in person?
It’s been very powerful, intense, and also strange. I hadn’t played live in more than a year, and then I played in New York at Sofar, and a couple times in Santiago. Live music has been pretty intense the past few months. Things here in Chile– bars, venues– have been opening up very slowly. I think many people are having issues after being in lockdown for so long, in terms of being in a crowded place. I’m one of those people. A part of me was feeling very depressed not being able to play live and only streaming, but also a part of me gets very anxious when facing a live audience again. Nonetheless, it’s been very powerful, very emotional for me.
You’ve been involved with Sofar for several years. What have your experiences been like playing Sofar shows?
I played in the second show Sofar organized in Santiago. I’ve played four Sofar shows, and they’ve all been wonderful. The staff has always been considerate and kind, and the audience always seems to be grateful to be listening to new music. I would really like to do Sofar Sounds [Mexico City], London, Paris– it would be amazing.
I read that part of creating Hay en Fuego came from stepping back from the world to find moments of celebration. It’s been a tumultuous time in Chile, and all over the world. What advice would you give to others who struggle to find those moments to step back and enjoy?
We’re in a moment when it’s getting harder and harder to enjoy life, because life is pretty hard right now. We’re on the verge of climate disaster, there’s a pandemic that we don’t know [when it will end], and all that has other economic and social consequences. It’s a very tumultuous time, [in] Chile particularly, but everywhere I think. The advice I give myself is try to enjoy the little moments. I try to enjoy having a walk with my dog, getting together for a cup of coffee with a friend, reading a book, spending time with the people I love, [and] enjoying playing live.
Photo credit: Natisú, photo by Rachel Ansley
