Things That Matter to… Joao del Monte

We came across Joao del Monte a year ago through a video that went viral of him improvising in a bar in Spain with flamenco singer Daniel Peña “Deni.” The music-making chemistry between the two, with Joao mixing in his cuban roots to the flamenco swagga, was a rare moment of pure music magic. Much more than just a viral video star, however, we then we found out that Joao was a multifaceted artist; a world class dancer, choreographer, actor as well as a singer. A true contemporary Rennaissance man, and artist we feel luck to have found!

Joao was recruited first as a young dancer recruited by the prestigious Danza Libre Company. It’s no surprise, with both talents that the Guantanamero would end up in the cast of Cuba’s most success touring dance companies, Ballet Rakatan and Vamos Cuba. Later he would go on to sing for Acosta Danza. And this is all just the tip of the iceberg. Lauded by both discerning critics at home and abroad, this is well and truly a talent to keep an eye on. Here, as he launches his debut single 'To Loco', this star Flamenco-Cuban bohemio talks to LatinoLife about the Things That Matter…

by Joao del Monte

I didn’t leave Guantanamo until I was 15 years old. We were very poor but I had lots of time to play and my childhood was full of culture and creativity because both my parents were artists.

From my mum I’ve inherited her firmness and from my dad his charisma, but above all from both of them I’ve inherited a love of the arts.

It’s preferable to harness a crazy child than to activate a dull one… that's what Alfredo Velázquez, director of the Danza Libre Company, the first dance company I joined, used to say. It’s the best piece of advice I’ve been given (or perhaps the best comfort). This teacher had a great impact on me in my chaotic adolescence as did later on Nilda Guerra (directora del ballet Rakatan)

The day I heard 'Grafitis de Amor' by Carlos Varela I began to sing differently

What gives me most pleasure is to do what I love, having the freedom to carve out my own path.

What most worries me is the fear that we feel all around us, whether its of illness or just fear of the unknown. I think paranoia is as dangerous an ilness as any other.

I believe in good energy, freedom and love and I believe in loving freely. I believe that music can calm and heal.

The advice I’d give to my younger self is to be restless but nt to rush, go forward with patience and tranquility.

“Without Country, But Without Owner” (Sin Patria pero Sin Amo)... these are the words of (Cuban poet) José Martí that I am thinking about a lot at the moment. My lament of exile, ‘sin patria' is also my affirmation of liberty, ‘sin amo.'

My inner demons and I don’t get on very well. Each day I discover a new demon that I have to conquer!

My favourite word is…freedom.

My favourite question is…want to come home with me? (laughs)

Follow Joao's journey https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtjjx8utGVvIshXuk4TtsxQ

https://www.instagram.com/joao_del_monte/