El Perro Del Mar - Interview

ETHEREAL.PRESS

Tell us a bit about El Perro del Mar.

EL PERRO DEL MAR

El Perro del Mar is merely an extension of me that enables me to do and say the things which I find hard to express in daily life. I’ve been using the name since 2004 when I came across a stray dog on a Spanish beach. The name still holds special significance for me in that I feel it demands a certain kind of sincerity from me—a core I always return to when writing. But really, I’m just a woman trying to live my life.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

Talk to us about your most recent release, ‘Big Anonymous.’

EL PERRO DEL MAR

‘Big Anonymous’ started out as a project I did for The Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, where I wanted to delve into a long-needed exploration of death and grief. It turned into a musical performance, which was later recorded and now released as an album.

I also made a short film for it, which will be released in the near future. I grappled with feelings of being haunted by death and the loss of people close to me, and I felt that perhaps the only way to truly address these emotions was through art.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

Tell us a bit about the track ‘Suburban Dreams.’

EL PERRO DEL MAR

It’s about trying to ward off death by surrounding life with objects and how that never truly works.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

The art direction on this project was a departure from a lot of your prior work. Can you tell us a bit about this stylistic change?

EL PERRO DEL MAR

I think the nature of the project, being written for the stage, influenced this change, but also the fact that I really wanted to discuss these themes demanded a wholehearted approach from me.

Beyond that, I believe I am more inclined to embody the different themes I work with these days than I was before. It’s something that comes with time and experience. I don’t care as much about maintaining a static artistic identity; I’m more interested in portraying what I want at a particular time.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

From looking at your current and past releases, it’s clear that art direction is a crucial element of your creative process. Can you tell us a bit about your approach to art direction?

EL PERRO DEL MAR

Yes, I love that. I’ve been working closely with stylist and art director Nicole Walker for a long time, and the collaboration is such a joy. It’s a very cross-fertilizing process, where the visual work inspires my music and vice versa. Working with Nicole has given me a sense of freedom that I’ve been able to channel into my work.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

Can you tell us about the visuals for ‘Kiss of Death’?

EL PERRO DEL MAR

The visuals are taken from the short film for ‘Big Anonymous.’ It’s an art/horror film that tells the story of the album. In short, the film is a journey through a baptism of fire, facing death and grief, with ‘Kiss of Death’ being the finale of that journey—coming to an end and embracing the truth of everything.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

Talk to us a bit about the power of music.

EL PERRO DEL MAR

When I think about the power of music, I think of transcendence and change. Music has the ability to alter your state of mind and will, to take you to places within yourself and also physically.

It transcends language.

I recall the first time I heard Beethoven or Bach as a small child, or the first time I heard Cocteau Twins, and the profound impact it had on me. I’m often disheartened by what we humans do, but then when I hear an amazing piece of music, I’m astonished by our ability to create such things. The divinity of it all is hard to grasp.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

Tell us a bit about how Swedish music has influenced you creatively.

EL PERRO DEL MAR

It’s difficult for me to pinpoint, as it’s likely such a subliminal part of me and my upbringing. However, I do believe that the melancholy prevalent in Swedish culture and music has influenced my expression. I’ve always been drawn to Swedish folk music, old psalms, hymns, and similar traditions, all of which share a certain melancholy.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

Can you tell us a bit about the track and visuals for ‘Broder’?

EL PERRO DEL MAR

I lost my older brother some years ago, and with that song, I wanted to reach out to him somehow and touch upon the bond that remains between us as long as I cherish his memory and our lives together.

The video was filmed by me walking the streets and places where we grew up, almost like sleepwalking back in time, imagining I would encounter him. The film was later reworked and animated by Gustaf Holtenäs.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

What’s next for El Perro del Mar?

EL PERRO DEL MAR

I’m currently touring with ‘Big Anonymous,’ which is a joy. I’m also finishing up scoring a movie this summer and will then continue to evaluate this line of work that I’ve chosen.