This 12th February saxophonist Nubya Garcia visits Apolo, Barcelona to play music from her most recent album, the epically beautiful Odyssey.
Part of London’s exciting new Jazz scene along with Shabaka, Moses Boyd and Tom Skinner, the Mercury-Prize-nominated artist’s third album was inspired by her many travels around the world. Staying true to her Jazz roots, the album also brings in neo-classical, R&B, Dub and even Cumbia. Using both written and improvised music, she even brings a little spoken word moment this time with the moving and motivational ‘Triumphance.’
Loverboy caught up with Garcia to disuss touring her latest work, the joys of spontaneity and of course, her favourite Mariah Carey song…
Nubya, thank you so much for doing this for us. I wondered if you could set the scene for us. While answering these, what can you see? What’s on the stereo?
I can hear lots of different birds, I’m listening to Henry Mancini right now. Current tune is ‘Lujon’. I love these string arrangements. I’ve got my incense burning, it’s a little overcast but 34 degrees. I’m looking out at trees and the ocean. Pretty beautiful!
We’re currently in the coldest month of the year but we’ve heard that you understandably leave the UK every winter. Where have you been this year? Is it a busman’s holiday or maybe an artist can never truly disconnect from work?
I think it can be true some artists can never disconnect truly, but I came out here with that goal, to take a true pause. I’m very grateful that I’ve spent the last thirteen years structuring and building my seasons to allow me to find the sun over the winter. It’s a beautiful way to reflect on the year and to really have some downtime before I embark on a busy year of touring. I do travel with my saxophone to practise and this year I’ve also brought a synth and some recording equipment to sample sounds along the way. So I can reach to write or record if the moment calls for it.
You’re currently touring your third album Odyssey which came out last September. Have you found that through playing thie album live it has evolved further since you recorded it?
Yeah, I find it’s always that way for me. The live shows after you release an album just invite the music to keep moving and changing whilst keeping that same original spark that brought it to be. It’s a part of the process that I really love, changes in arrangements, feels and grooves. Ideas along the way that I want to try, spontaneous happenings!
You like to play tracks live before committing them to being recorded. Are you trialling any new material in your current shows?
As this body of work was released less than four months ago, I’m really loving being present with this album, exploring and sharing it before jumping into anything else. Believe it or not, I don’t even have enough time in the set to play all the tunes that are on the album, and there are so many audiences who have yet to hear any of it live. Yes, I do enjoy sharing unheard and new music on the road and that will definitely come, but later, when we’ve really got into all the areas of sharing this album.
Is there a song that you have felt differently towards the more you’ve played it live?
Yes, I’d say all of them! It’s always such an amazing process to pour into the music onstage and watch it continue evolving and taking on new energy and direction.
The artwork is so powerful. Did the album influence the artwork or vice versa?
Thank you! We started the artwork in the final stages of when kwes and I were mixing the album. The album artwork was definitely lead by the music rather than vice versa, and we first finished mixing the album then the artwork was finished after.
Looking at your insta, I cannot remember the last time I saw someone with so many lovely comments posted from other artists. Everyone from M People’s Heather Small to DoomCannon writing nice things. I was wondering who you had been most surprised to hear from?
Ahh thank you! It’s been such a joy to have built a super positive space online, I definitely don’t take it for granted in this current climate. I was definitely smiling from ear to ear to hear from (and meet!) Heather Small and also to hear from Jill Scott, H.E.R.. Lots of others too!
Today is actually the legendary Frankie Knuckles birthday which got me thinking, do you have any interest in venturing into House or bringing your music to other genres?
In short, yes ! That was the main inspiration behind releasing my remix album (Source + We Move).
Lastly we are named after the biggest selling single of 2001 so we always ask what is your favourite Mariah Carey song?
Wow, ok that question took me back! Haha, umm I don’t do ‘favourites’ because it’s always changing but I’d put in ‘Honey’, ‘We Belong Together’, ‘Heartbreaker’, ‘Don’t Forget About Us’, ‘Always Be My Baby (Mr Dupri mix)’ as they were the immediate thoughts!
Nubya Garcia plays Apolo, Barcelona this 12th February.
Tickets available now via Fever.
