ESTRADA MUSIC PROJECT
Q What inspired you to write “I Love When You See Through My Eyes” as such a direct and personal love song?
20 years married to my soul mate. Not enough words to say how much I love her and the grateful I am for all the things she has done for me in all this years
Q The song feels like a very intimate letter, did you approach it as if you were speaking directly to your wife?
Totally. We were discussing complex musical arrangements in different songs and I told her that it is not always necessary to be complex to sound good. So I decided to compose one love song for her with practically two chords and she is delighted!
Q You mention late shifts and long nights; how important was it for you to include those real-life details in the lyrics?
Just mention one of the many things she has done for me in difficult times. She waited patiently for me at night with two small babies when I was doing my surgical trainee years ago. Just to let her know I remember how hard was for her
Q The idea of your partner seeing through your eyes is powerful, what does that phrase mean to you personally?
She is a pure soul, so sincere and kind with everyone. I cannot easily describe all the things I feel when she looks at me with all her love. After 20 years it’s still the same and even more..Quite hard to explain
Q How much of the song came from memory and lived experiences versus inspiration in the moment?
The night I wrote the song everything came to me. All the memories of us, the good things, my mistakes, everything, and I confess I was quite affected recording the vocals cause many tears came just singing it. I know it could sound clichet but it’s so true. I wanted to express in a quite simple/direct way all those feelings in the song
Q Do you see the song more as an expression of gratitude or as a declaration of love, or both at the same time?
I love this question cause there definitely are both! However, she knows how much I love her but she wasn’t expecting a song from me saying it
Q How did you balance personal details with keeping the lyrics universal enough for listeners to connect with?
I don’t balance at all. I do songs because I love it and it is the way to drain my busy life. I share with people and if they like it or if they get identified with it fantastic but definitely its secondary.
Q The line “never no as an answer” stands out, can you share what that phrase means to you in the context of your relationship?
As I said before, my wife is a good person who always take care from other people before her own interest, so if you ask her for help whatever you could need don’t expect to hear from her a “no”
Q Do you think true love songs need to focus more on clarity than on complexity?
Love is the most pure feeling and is so simple, however I can mention many complex love songs that reach this target as well. I think everything is about sincerity despite the complexity
Q How does writing a song for someone you love differ from writing music for a wider audience?
In nothing. I write with soul and heart and no filters to reach any specific audience and it is a shame to hear many bands or artists who do not do music with heart. The message should always be sincere and not made to get fans or followers. Again this is secondary. Off course it is nice but should be secondary (hope I answered the question:))
Q Do you feel that the lyrics capture your journey together as much as your feelings in the present moment?
Our love is alive and growing, I don’t think so
Q How did your wife react when she first heard the song?
She has high standards about music, she is a fan of many things including Radiohead. It was very challenging for me to do a very simple song to get her attention. But I did. She was so excited since she heard it for the first time. I won’t explain with details how happy she was :)))
Q Do you see this song as a way of preserving a piece of your love story for the future?
I think so, yes
Q Looking back, do you feel the lyrics say everything you wanted, or would you add more if you could?
Not enough to express my love and gratitude for her, but always can write further songs and maybe talk about other situations in our life but will depend of the inspirational moment
