vibes
WORDS by Kika Patrick
“I’m Pocahontas meets
hardcore Flashdance”,
is how this year’s double
Danish Grammy-
winning artist Aura
Dione describes
herself. Luc Ciotkowski
caught up with her
before her Spanish
mini-tour to taste this
unconventional cocktail.
WORDS & interview by Luc Ciotkowski
er voice and
style first
reminds me of
Tracy Chapman
and Dido before
swinging faster than a
Spanish summer thunder-
storm into something posi-
tively pop princessy. This
hamstring-ripping reach,
coupled with a sultry femi-
ninity that makes Jessica
Alba look like the girl next
door, can’t be far away from
being devoured by MTV
and global radio. A Song For
Sophie is among the tastiest
of tracks from her palatable
debut album, Columbine.
The chorus from her song
I Will Love You Monday
sounds like the good bit
from Ram Jam’s Black Betty
reincarnated as a sex kitten
and injected with sugar. I
hope Whigfield will forgive
me, but I’ll take Aura any
day of the week, even
Saturday night.
You don’t look quite like
the stereotype most of us
have of Danish people,
what’s your genetic make-
up? Is it true you have
some Spanish blood?
My father has some Spanish
blood running in his veins.
My mother is half French half
from the Faroe Islands.
You were over here in Ma-
drid a while ago playing
at Madrid Fashion Week:
Have you had time to see
Madrid? What do you
make of it?
10
I really feel at home in
Madrid. I like the Spanish
temperament and the life-
style. I like how the women
are not afraid of wearing
colours, and the men are
still being men, some might
say macho - and I know
that roles between men
and women are somewhat
changing in Spain - but I love
when a man can make me
feel like I am a lady.
Tell us a little about your
life growing up. What
was it like having hippy
parents and living on the
Danish island of Born-
holm?
My parents have always
lived a very free life; they
are very open and curious
people. When I was a child,
we would be on the sea
for months. I would bring
my red Sony Walkman and
listen to ABBA, The Beatles or
Michael Jackson. I would ask
them about all the big ques-
tions of life. Such as, where
do the mermaids cook their
food? Or who shoots the
stars?! Sometimes it would
take days for my parents to
answer, but we were on a
boat with nothing else to
do, other than look and learn
and talk.
How did you come to
travel Australia? How
have your experiences
there influenced your
music?
I was only 17 when I travelled
by myself to Australia. I was
june 09
and believed that I could festivals
make it happen. I am so
grateful and thankful for
each moment, and I can’t
Suma
wait to see what the future Flamenca
has in mind for me. until
20 june
Is your music style pop
with folk or folk with pop?
I have almost written all
the songs on my guitar.
When I produce them, I use
influences that come from
electronic music and I try to
remix the traditional folk song.
Which song of yours
would you recommend
to people who haven’t
heard your music, to
bring them in?
Song For Sophie or Something
From Nothing… Or, or, or!
I’ve been loving the video What would time in Spain
for I Will Love You Monday be without a dash of the
on Vimeo and YouTube ol’ flamenco? If you haven’t
with all the shoes that been able to get down south
fearless and had a strong come out for a walk with to its spiritual home or never
belief in myself. I wrote some you. Where exactly did had the dosh for one of the
of my favourite songs in you film it? tourist dinners and shows,
that period of time. It seems The I Will Love You Monday then be sure to see Madrid’s
to me that I always get video was filmed in Copen- Suma Flamenca this year.
rewarded, when I challenge hagen, Denmark. We drove
life’s settings. around all day to different This festival returns for its fourth
locations to get the perfect year with the best flamenco talent
Do you think you could get shots. I especially like the Spain has to offer. Until 20 June,
used to the lifestyle here in scene where I am dancing in there will be many shows at many
Spain, or is it too hot and the street with all the shoes. different venues showcasing
life too disorganized?
flamenco guitar, singing, piano
Disorganized? I have only Can you teach us to say
and, of course, the traditional
met really cool Spanish peo- something in Danish and
dancing. There will be a total
ple. One time I was on my tell us what it means,
of 63 shows at venues such as
way to do an interview at please?
Kiss FM TV in Madrid, and I
Teatro Canal, Teatro Lara and Casa
Elske mens du gør det, lev
forgot my guitar, left it in the mens du tør det. It means,
Patas. Highlighted artists include
taxi. As you know, there are “Love like you have never Enrique Morente, Vicente Amigo
thousands of taxis around been hurt, live as if there and Carmen Linares. All artists
Madrid, and I had absolutely were no tomorrow.” will be performing this year in
no way of getting it back. honour of Flemish Catalonia. If
But the next morning I got What is your favourite you’re not entirely sure who these
a call from the reception at Spanish word? artists are because you’ve never
my hotel, saying that a taxi My favourite word is comer. followed flamenco, then I suggest
driver had just returned my I love spicy Spanish food you head to the Teatro Häagen-
guitar! Lucky me! He had and one of the most valued Dasz Calderón. Here, a variety of
heard me talk and play on moments of the day, for shows will be
the radio, and somehow me, is when I’m with my presented until
found out where I was stay- family or some close friends 16 June under
ing! Now that's what I call after a long day and we the heading
organization! gather around the table to ‘Flamenco
share a beautifully prepared Universal’.
You recently won the Best dinner. The festival
Female Artist and Best ends with final
Pop Album at the Danish Aura’s June tour of Spain performances in
Music Awards. What was Plaza Mayor from
2 June - Madrid (Sala La Boite)
that like? 4 June - Valencia (Sala Wah-Wah) Paco del Pozo,
It was of course a big dream 6 June - Vigo (Sala Mondo) Alicia Gil and
coming true. I have been 9 June - Barcelona (Sala Sidecar) Andres Oleagui Cuarteto.
writing and playing music for
so many Get pre-sale tickets at Whether you ‘get’ flamenco or
www.ticketmaster.es
years. (10€ pre-sale 13€ not, can you really leave Spain not
I have on the door) having experienced a show? Head
always http://www. out to Suma Flamenca Festival
followed myspace.com/ this year; it’s all right on our
my heart auradione doorstep.