Head Of Clouds is a Spanish artist and record label project based around cinematic sounds and compelling melodies both poignant and uplifting. Their first release “Almond Eyes” is out now and their second release “When Magic Happens” is out on the 12th of July. Excited to learn more about this stunning project, we decided to catch up with Head Of Clouds and ask them a few questions…
Where are you currently based?
I am based in Barcelona, Spain.
Could you describe your style for those who have never heard your music before?
I would not define my music with any concrete style. This is why I would tell those who have never listened to me to forget for a moment what is established, not to think of any musical style, simply to feel the music and enjoy the experience. I understand my music as a language, a different way to express my perceptions.
How did you first get into electronic music?
I have been familiar with electronic music for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a home where luckily Enigma was one of the classics. That says it all.
All that love for electronic music that I have been experiencing over the years awakened in me an early concern to explore the world of music production. At the age of 13, I started creating my first tracks.
What’s your local music scene like at the moment?
After this pandemic year, the scene has been really affected economically and emotionally. This emotional change has been reflected in the music, from productions to the musical criteria of the DJs. I think this change made an improve to our scene, since many artists have been able to remove the standards from their heads and finally do things with their hearts. Let’s not forget that music is art and not maths.
What inspired your artist alias?
When I began to articulate the project, I had in mind that the artistic name had to reflect in some way the essence of what I want to convey. I was constantly looking for inspiration in different artistic fields. Coincidentally, on a visit to the Dalí museum in Figueres, the inspiration I needed came in a painting form. When I saw “Man with his head full of clouds” I felt instantly identified and felt that the project should mention this beautiful piece and Dalí’s philosophy.
Have you released music under any other names?
Yes, but I prefer that no one knows that Spiderman is Peter Parker haha.
The objective of this project is to bring all the focus in the music and not on the artist identity. I do not want there to be any kind of prejudice for whoever is willing to listen to me.
How did you approach the recording/production process?
To compose each track I base myself on a perception of reality, how can I capture it through music and how can I cause this feeling to the listener. I am never thinking if the listener will like my music, I am just worried about if the listener will understand what I want to express.
Once I have the track in my head, I sit at the piano to find the chords that make me feel what I want to express. The rest is simply transferring the instruments in my head to the DAW.
There is no element in my songs that is randomly placed, everything has a meaning and a reason. And that’s how the creative process of these two tracks has also been. For the nerds, in my social networks I will go into the details behind Almond Eyes and When Magic Happens.
For finalizing the process of both tracks, I needed a very concrete texture, a full-bodied, sweet and creamy compression that I could “only” achieve with a Fairman TMC. So this is why I decided to visit The Mars Citizen Studio, who has one of the exclusive units we can find in the world. David, the owner, was also in charge of mastering the two tracks, and the result speaks for itself. He is one of the bests.
What equipment is in your studio?
My setup it’s very simple for now. The digital tools are very powerful.
Universal Audio Apollo Quad Firewire (Audio interface)
Casio Privia PX-S1000 (Digital piano)
Adam Audio SP-5 (Headphones)
PRS Standard 24 Limited Edition (Electric guitar)
2 x WARM AUDIO EQP WA (Analog Pultec style EQs)
JOEMEEK SC2.2 ver. 4 (Photo optical stereo compressor)
You recently launched your new label, could you tell us more about the project?
Head of Clouds is not only my artistic identity, it’s also a way of perceiving and expressing art. The alias and the label are merged with the intention that Head of Clouds Records will only release my music not focused on the dance floor. Each track is released with a piece of art made by another artist in his field, expressing his/her perception about the track concept. This artist can be a graphic designer, a photographer, a poet, a filmmaker or whoever makes art.
What do you like to do away from music?
I love doing myself reiki, it’s just a space where I can have a date with me. Nowadays we spend lot of time with other people and we forget ourselves.
I am also a big fan of riding motorcycles and travelling.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?
During this year the main project is and will be continuing making music with different artists, which result will be able to start listening from 2022. With these collaborations I intend to bring naturalness and new sounds to electronic music.
From September a monthly single will be released until the end of the year.
Stay tuned! 🙂
https://www.beatport.com/artist/head-of-clouds/983300
