Musical wunderkind Jose Gonzalez is known for his thoughtful, chill-inducing balladry and quietly potent intrigue - both lending an enigmatic quality to his shows. We picked his brain a bit on who he's listening to now and what he's looking forward to on his local stop in Tel Aviv this month, as part of his current tour.
How does it feel when the audience sings along?
Nice. I like when we forget that it's a show and it becomes more of a collective hangout. Of course many people go to the show to hear my voice and not their out-of-pitch neighbor, so as an element of the whole concert it's great.
Which song, without fail, always takes over all your senses?
Nina Simone's 'I shall be released' or T.P. Orchestre Poly-ritmo's 'Noude ma gnin tache de me'
You have done various collaborations in television, film and commercials. Is it weird to hear your own voice in such a wider context, out of the blue? How does collaborating in that way differ for you from performing on stage?
It was weird at first but now I'm used to hearing my voice and seeing my face in different situations. I record the music and I'm most of the time neutral to when it's used. Performing and meeting people is, of course, where the action is.
Solo show or festival?
A variation. Festival at sunset with good sound is difficult to beat, but solo shows are easier to control - both sound and the the people who show up.
Where has been your favorite place so far to get inspired and lay down tracks?
I've written and recorded mostly at home. I do like to work on lyrics while walking or running.
What are you listening to right now?
Sean Paul
What's the last concert you went to?
Bombino
How do you identify with your very opposing roots? Do your Swedish and Argentinian origins play a part in your music, interests, etc?
I've lived in Sweden all my life and I speak mostly Swedish but with family we speak Spanish and I grew up with Argentinian music so I have a mix of both cultures. By now I think of myself mostly as a global citizen but I feel like a local in Gothenburg. I like the sun-related festivities like midsummer which is very Swedish. I like asado (Argentinian barbecue) but I don't eat mammals.
If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing right now?
I used to do research in biochemistry, so probably that.
What instrument do you wish you could play and why?
Piano. It seems to be the easiest way to communicate musically with computers.
What is the last person/place/thing you fell in love with?
Laura
What is the weirdest thing someone from the audience has thrown on stage and where was it?
A pair of skis in Katowice, Poland.
The last time you were in Israel was in 2014, what are you looking forward to seeing/eating/doing the most this time around?
Eat mezze and walk around the city of Tel Aviv. Jerusalem is overrated.
Jose Gonzalez plays The Barby three nights in a row - May 22-24. 52 Kibbuts Galuyot, Tel Aviv (barby.co.il)