JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ
Q: What inspired you to write “Heartbeats”?
A: “Heartbeats” was caused by the intricacies of love and human relationship. It was important for me to capture a moment of passion with its intensity, evanescent nature and how it can impact on one’s life.
Q: The song’s lyrics are full of vivid images and emotions. Can you describe your approach when writing such expressive lyrics?
A: When I am writing songs, I delve very deeply into my inner self, searching for things that have happened to me or something that has caught my eye from the world around me. My aim in “Heartbeats” was therefore to depict an emotional journey that is as raw, fragile and tender as possible.
Q: In what ways are these themes universally recognized in this song which explores love, passion, and time going by?
A: Love and passion are universal features of humanity and they resonate in all people so profoundly. At the same time, time flies adding urgency to these themes. It reminds us about how momentary our lives are; making us realize that every instant must be treasured because it will never be replaced again.
Q: There is a powerful use of imagery in lines such as “one night of magic rush” and “ten days of perfect tunes”. How does this relate to your own experiences?
A: This is meant to show how intense but fleeting a romantic encounter could be. A “magic rush” stands for those initial sparks of attraction and excitement whereas the phrase “perfect tunes” represents those moments shared together that bring joy and harmony. The two phrases combine together giving an impression of a brief but deep connection between two people.
Q: What effect did this repeated refrain have on your songwriting process?
“The repetition of “to call for hands above, to lean on” adds a sense of longing and vulnerability to the song.” Why did you include this refrain?
A: It is important to note that this repetition also symbolizes the protagonist’s quest for solace in the midst of confusion and doubt. The whole world is united by a need for security and dependence even when intense emotions are involved.
Q: How did you come up with such intriguing lines as “You knew the hand of the devil, kept us awake with wolf teeth”?
A: This serves to represent love in its more tumultuous and dark shades. The idea that love can be thrilling yet scary at the same time; it can wake one’s primitive instincts and mess up their minds.
Q: What do you hope listeners will take away from “Heartbeats?”
A: I hope they understand how vulnerable this song really is, and how completely it expresses what longing feels like. Perhaps some people have had similar experiences themselves or maybe they just enjoy my music – but my main goal with “Heartbeats” was to give them a sense of warmth and understanding.
Q: Fans and critics alike have praised the song. What are your feelings about the positive reaction that has been garnered?
A: It’s so humbling seeing how much impact “Heartbeats” has caused on people who listen to it. This has given me so much joy; knowing that many fans appreciate my songs motivates me to work even harder because I know that whatever I will produce next will touch someone’s heart.
Q: Can you walk us through the recording process for “Heartbeats”?
A: The process of recording “Heartbeats” was a collaborative effort between myself and several other musicians. We aimed at making it have an intimate feel thus a lot of warmth and inviting ambience in the studio. This resulted into a sincere and genuine sound that makes me proud.
Q: What message do you hope to convey to listeners through your music?
A: At the end of the day, I want my music to be something that listeners can take solace in, draw inspiration from or find connection with. Through lyrics, melody or overall mood, I would like my songs to touch people’s hearts so deep and make life more meaningful.
Q: How do you approach performing “Heartbeats” live, and how does the audience reaction influence your performance?
A: Whenever I perform “Heartbeats” on stage, there is always something special about it. As an artist I strive for similar emotions and vulnerability during studio sessions as well as while performing on stage where audience plays a pivotal role in defining the show. My own performance is inspired by their energy and response thereby creating unique intimacy between performer and audience.
Q: Are there any particular artists or musicians who have influenced your songwriting style, especially for a song like “Heartbeats”?
A: Many different artists from various genres inspire me; however I have been deeply rooted in singer-songwriters who explore themes of love, longing, and introspection. For example; some remarkable singers such as Nick Drake, Elliott Smith or Leonard Cohen influenced significantly my writing style when telling stories with words.
Q: Do you have any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re excited about?
A: They are always many new things going on especially with music which includes trying out new styles. While no specifics can be given now since they are still confidential plans but very soon fans will hear what my latest music sounds like.
Q: How do you personally connect with the themes and emotions expressed in “Heartbeats”?
A: Songwriting is a channel through which I express myself as an artist drawing on my innermost feelings and experiences. Although not exactly about me, “Heartbeats” is a song that I relate to emotionally due to its elements of love, longing and vulnerability. Like most people, I have had intense romantic encounters that were short-lived whose feelings are captured genuinely in my songs.
Q: What do you hope listeners take away from “Heartbeats” after listening to it?
A: The overall meaning of “Heartbeats” is that it brings people together understandingly because it speaks to their own experiences of love and longing. Whether they’re wrestling with complicated romantic relationships or simply appreciating beautiful tunes, “Heartbeats” should be able to provide solace for its listeners.
