INTERVIEW: Mariana Masetto releases “Yendo” music video

Mariana Masetto‘s new single “Yendo” is a powerful and introspective track that showcases the artist’s ability to blend different styles and languages. Born in Buenos Aires, Mariana Masetto is an accomplished musician, singer, percussionist, and writer who has released eight albums and a single, earning several award nominations along the way.

“Yendo” is a Spanish and French song that talks about the growth of a woman in today’s world. The track features a music video that showcases a woman on a bridge, symbolising the bridge between the past and the future. The song’s lyrics touch on themes of resilience, empowerment, and self-discovery, which are particularly relevant in today’s world and the music itself is a blend of different styles, including folk and world music. The percussion, in particular, is a standout feature, with a rhythmic beat that propels the song forward. The use of different instruments and textures, such as the accordion and acoustic guitar, adds depth and complexity to the music.

Mariana Masetto’s vocals are another highlight of the track. Her voice is powerful and expressive, conveying the emotion and depth of the lyrics. The combination of Spanish and French also adds to the song’s uniqueness and showcases the artist’s versatility and range.

“Yendo” is a beautiful and heartfelt track that highlights Mariana Masetto’s talent as a songwriter, musician, and performer. The song’s themes of growth, empowerment, and self-discovery are relatable and resonate with audiences, while the music is a testament to the artist’s ability to blend different styles and cultures to create something new and unique. “Yendo” is a must-listen for fans of world music, folk, and anyone looking for music that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

We caught up with Mariana to find out more about her inspirations, her new single “Yendo” and what’s she’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Mariana Masetto below.

Hey Mariana, how’s things?

Hi there! I’m over the moon! Today I’m releasing the 3rd song of my next album “Numina”, which will be finished in October. This album is characterised by having a blend of two languages in each lyrics of the songs, which is something so common to listen in many countries nowadays. In this case “Yendo” (Going, in English) is written in Spanish and French.

What was your biggest highlight in 2022 as an artist?

The greatest moment of my 2022 was presenting “Ciclo”, my 8th album, which was very well received by the audience. Each song is a journey in itself, and every song of the album has a video especially shot on location in natural landscapes, intricately interconnected to the lyrics and music. It has ended up being a film as a whole, now available to be seen on YouTube.

How do you find the Buenos Aires music scene?

Buenos Aires is a wonderful city, full of life and at the moment there are many new artists with very different approaches. This variety makes everyone curious and makes everything different. And this liveliness leads me more and more to this new proposal based on the fact that each song is composed in two different languages.

How did you first get into making your own music?

I set off my artistic journey 10 years ago. I began singing and playing traditional folk music from my country and others songs from Latin America and Africa, too.

A few years ago, happily, I started to outline my own melodies and rhythms, combining everything I had heard before. I put great emphasis on every sound I play or sing and how I really listen to it with my whole body. I also enjoy mixing rhythms from the different percussion instruments I play and love, as well as including a four-string instrument called “the 4” (cuatro). Even though it is a traditional folk instrument from Venezuela and Colombia, it derives from another ancient European instrument. Last but not least, I also added texts in different languages like Portuguese, French and English.

Which artist first made a lasting impression on you?

Well, Paul McCartney is one of the artists who has amazed me the most. Throughout the years, he has always composed wonderful songs. Another artist who moves me every time I listen to her music is Lhasa de Sela, who is somehow the inspiration for my compositions in different languages.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?

I love Harry Styles, the new Peter Gabriel songs with Manu Katché on the drums are amazingly beautiful. Always Sting. And: Well done! Dua Lipa.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

My constant inspiration is nature and the everyday life, which leads me to interact with it. I studied Tourism with the idea of travelling, just to get to know this beautiful planet in which we live. Finally, travelling is where, many times, with so many changes in the landscape, inspiration touches me.

How has your sound evolved since you started?

My sound has evolved into exploring different textures in singing and percussion, which is where I musically come from. First of all, the evolution into singing in different languages and then searching new paths to create rhythms to express what I feel in my own personal way.

At the beginning my sound was linked to the traditional and today it represents me completely as I perceive my current world.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Nowadays, my songs always include a video, all of which, mixed with the music, say exactly what I want to say. It’s not like playing live, but the fact that the listener can see both how I move and how I interact with the context and nature really enriches it. Sound is now multi-media.

How did you find making your recent single “Yendo”?

“Yendo” is the third composition of my next album “Numina” and writing the lyrics in Spanish and French was a very important challenge. I wanted to express in these lyrics my walk in this life as a woman, passing through this “human soup”, where we are been made to think that everything is very difficult. That’s why the part of the song that uplifts me the most is the moment I say I’m not going to give up. In French: “Je n’abandonne pas.”

What can listeners expect from your upcoming music?

All the next songs coming on this album, titled Numina, which means “manifesting the infinite in the limited”, will be in two languages, Spanish and another, as a singular characteristic. Searching to combine structures with various vocals and also uniting this world that we see every time we go on a journey, we will hear at least two languages or more and we will have to switch and interact. Spanish, on the other hand, is increasingly used in the world.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Harry Styles and Sting.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

Each song has a message, and it’s all about trying to make people more aware of themselves and of this wonderful world that we live in. I also like to use rhythms as a way to connect the music and its significance. In addition, I like to show places where I go to be inspired and where I can express what I feel.

What’s been your favourite live show so far?

For several years I have had the fortune to attend a festival called “Choro Jazz” in Jericoacoara, Brazil, and one of the performers was “Hermeto Pascoal”, a great Brazilian artist whom I admire very much. On his 80th birthday he gave us an incredible show full of rhythm and creativity.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Well, if it’s all about dreaming, Harry Styles, Paul McCartney, Sting + Peter Gabriel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! Ha ha ha!

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Mainly, listen to yourself, record yourself, compare your own recordings weekly, try to change little things, and listen to again so that intuition leads you to say yes! Keep working on the rhythm because it’s the most important thing. If the rhythm is not good, everything collapses, it’s like the foundation of a house. Good harmony and tuning comes with good rhythm!

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?

This year I plan to present my previous album, which was released on December 2022, called “Ciclo”, plus the new songs that are coming from this new album. I still have to do the finishing touches on the five songs from the rest of the album. The ideas are there and they are underway.

Watch the music video for Yendo below