Samalea and his bandaleon

Argentinian bandoneon-player Fernando Samalea's first band was called Electric Watermelon. A fairly cool moniker by any standards but even more so when you consider that the multi-instrumentalist, composer and writer was only nine years old when he put it together. Inspired by rock groups from home and abroad the band was the beginning of an ever-expanding list of groups and musicians with whom Samalea has played in his long career including national and international stars from Charly Garcia to Joaquin Sabina. As well as forming an integral part of many groups, Samalea has also released eight solo albums, which are distinguished by their diversity and the fusion of musical genres. Nick Rice spoke to Samalea about his past and his plans.

Nick: You have collaborated, recorded and travelled with a great number of musicians. Who did you really enjoy working with?
Fernando Samalea: Charly Garcia was the key person in my discovery of the music world. I played with his group for eleven years, from the age of twenty. I really learned the codes of music from him, he was so important. I had the opportunity to travel the world on tour, record in professional studios and play in stadiums.

Were you a fan of Charly's before you played with him?
FS: Yes, I have always been his public and I've always been fascinated with the concepts of every album he has released. The way he presents himself, the concert performances. He has his image and that is important for me in music. I listened to him throughout my adolescence and I always knew, because my desire was so great, that I would be able play with him. Anyway, I've always been into music, since I was about six or so and I had always been playing in lots of different groups. I have been very lucky thanks to the stimulation from my parents to discover the 'arts' in general. From a young age I always had access to the art world, the cinema, the theatre, ballet, and these influences also stimulated me a great deal to create and compose. I really enjoyed playing with Charly. Another key group I had and that I liked a lot was called 'Clap', a slightly absurd name, which was in the eighties and another group was 'Friccion' with Gustavo Cerati, Richard Coleman and Christian Bason. I also played for four years with 'Illya Kuryaki & the Valderramas', a rap duo from the nineties that I really liked. I have always been very privileged to play in many groups and to play here or in Spain or the United States and Brazil. I've been very lucky.

Is there anyone you would really like to work with now?
FS: Like a fantasy, I could say a load! I'm really into the music of Joni Mitchell and Peter Gabriel. I'm not sure if they would be available to play with me but I would be available to play with them. And here I've had a lot of luck to know almost all the musicians. I've always been dedicated and passionate when I play with somebody I like. We have a saying here that you 'put the football shirt on'. In a sense though I have never really considered myself a professional. I've always maintained the spirit of the amateur. I like to keep the spirit of adolescents that get together and play in a room because this allows you to maintain a state of illusion, which is basically what is important in my music. Not to lose this. I have never considered myself someone who works in music, instead simply a person that enjoys music and in that sense, touring for me is like going on holiday.

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Samalea in Tangiers