Ballantine’s and COLORSxSTUDIOS joined forces for a new global partnership, built around a simple idea: to strip away the barriers between artists and fans and deliver real music experiences and moments of connection. 

Kicking off the partnership, Ballantine’s and COLORSxSTUDIOS held their first festival in May at TONES of Madrid, bringing true fans and music lovers closer to artists and performances that defy genres. 

Headliners CA7RIEL and Paco Armoros gave a raw, exciting performance with a set that felt like they were just vibing with their friends. Dancing and crowdsurfing was included and they no doubt could have performed for another hour or three. 

Madrid-based artist Lua de Santana is part of the city’s growing creative scene, and was a supporting artist at the festival. The 24 year old artist enjoys pairing traditional genres of music like soul and flamenco with techno and Baile funk (Brazilian funk) to create something uniquely her. After dropping her EP Ginga, she is currently on tour across Europe this summer.

Ahead of her epic set, 1883 caught up with Lua to talk about carving her own space in music, mixing genres and her love for Beyonce and Björk. 

Your EP has done so well, and I was impressed with all the different styles that you brought together. How do you decide what to mix? 

My EP was just me putting music out, no real plan (laughs) but it was fun, just bringing together all the types of music and songs that I had been working on and I’m happy if people enjoy it. 

How do the distinct cultures of Bahia and Galicia converse with one another within your music?

It’s really interesting for me to embrace both sides. I grew up in Galicia, so I draw a lot from the music there. However, recently, I started looking at Brazilian styles and wanting to incorporate both sides of my heritage and life in my music, such as samba and soul, and baile funk.

That’s really cool. And you studied in London, music specifically. Did that have any influence on any of your music?

There was a lot of influence, because I had been singing but never really studied the roots of these genres, like soul, and I also studied some music business, so I really learned not just on the music side, but it’s helped me in all aspects.

Also, just really great music. I really like Aluna right now; she’s a great artist and there’s so much I want to do! 

You’re performing at the COLORSxSTUDIOS and Ballantine’s *TONES of Madrid* event, and authenticity is such a big part of the event. What does authenticity mean to you?

I think it just means doing what feels right for you and doing what you love. I love singing, and I love performing and meeting the fans, and also blending all these genres together, and watching as people enjoy my music, but also being able to do what I love and perform music I enjoy making.

Also, being authentic as an artist means learning. I’m an artist’s artist – I draw so much from other artists that I love and sort of learn from them and experiment with different sounds.

You’ve been compared to Björk because of all that experimenting. Who’s your dream Collab?

There are so many! I think Aluna, of course, is in the UK. Björk would be cool. I mean, Beyoncé is the ultimate goal and dream to work with; she’s my Queen.

Mine too! What has been the most surprising part of your journey so far?

Just how kind and welcoming everyone has been. As a performer, you always worry not only about fans but also other singers, but it’s been so wonderful to meet other artists who are uplifting me, and I’m uplifting them.

Yeah, because you are an Afro Latina woman, navigating a space where there are not many mainstream Black Latina women – something I understand.

Yes, it’s tricky, but there have been more of us sort of getting out, and that has been really cool and wonderful. Especially in Madrid, there is a growing scene of Afro Latina artists and getting to embrace so many different styles and also just seeing more of us in these spaces, mixing so many different styles. It’s important and just amazing to be part of it. 

What have you got coming up this year?

Just more music, making more music. I’m doing my European tour right now, which has been great, and I have so many more things coming up, some surprises. I’m looking forward to just sharing more music with everyone.

Review Michaela Makusha

Thanks to Ballantine’s and Dawbell PR