Ura Garcia

Hi Ura! We first saw you at a party in El Paso — you have incredible energy. Tell us a bit about yourself for those who don’t know you yet: where are you from and how did your musical journey begin?

I’m from Alicante, a total horoscope freak, so I’m a Sagittarius. I guess that since I was a kid I was always connected to this musical side. Maybe the influences have been present in my life since I was very little, and even if I didn’t know it, it stayed in my subconscious, since my grandfather on my mother’s side was an artist — he was a classical flamenco dancer — and my grandmother on my father’s side was a seamstress who designed clothes.
My serious beginnings in music were around 200… I used to get on jam sessions in local bars, and sometimes I rapped and other times I sang lyrical, depending on the vibe of the moment.

Do you remember the moment you first felt that music was your thing?

Music has always been very present in my life, ever since I can remember. I remember my parents playing music on the cassette radio — they had a big CD collection of very selective artists. You could say they taught me a large part of what I know today.
The musical culture I’ve acquired is thanks to them and to musicians and friends I’ve met along my journey. They are my greatest teachers.
On Sunday afternoons they would play the great jazz divas, and if I’m not mistaken I was around 10 years old when I tried to reach those notes.

You have a very interesting name — Ura Garcia. Is it a stage name or your real name? Is there a story behind it?

(Smile) It’s a curious story. “Ura” means “water” in Basque. I don’t know why, but I’ve always had a severe obsession with water, and the most contradictory part is that I have a topical allergy called aquagenic urticaria.
Since I was a child I’ve been very inquisitive. I used to ask my mother why Earth is called “planet Earth” instead of “planet Water” if it has more water (laughs). I questioned everything and everyone.
This name “Ura” represents my inner world — both scientific and artistic. It’s why I make art, to move something from within. Just as blood flows, so does water.
I’d say that for me it is a source of life, and what surrounds us is art. Life is art, it’s our source of life.

How would you describe your style — both musically and visually? What represents you more: hip-hop, soul, pop, or something entirely your own?

Look… I love EVERYTHING, hahaha. I’d love to tell you that I fit into a musical genre, but I’d be lying.
I genuinely enjoy everything — from salsa by Fruko y Sus Tesos to a Guns N’ Roses ballad, passing through a trap track by La Blackie.
I could be lifting weights listening to a sad Etta James song, or at the park with my friends singing bulerías, or cleaning the house listening to Verdi, hahaha.
Maybe I’m very random with this. So I wouldn’t know how to define my style, but I can say it’s “urban.”

Which artists or genres have influenced you the most? Who inspires you right now?

Right now I’m very inspired by copla, Mexican music, rancheras — artists like Mon Laferte, Lola Flores. Also drill music. There’s a singer who’s very good in that genre, her name is IAMDDB — 100×100 recommended.
As I said, I don’t let my inspiration be limited to one specific style; I like to “pick” from many.
In my musical beginnings I was more stubborn, but it wasn’t bad — it taught me everything I know today.
My reference when I was 18 is Jimi Hendrix, and he will be until the end of my days. Not because of the music alone or how well he played, but because of the spectacular way he transmitted, the way he hypnotized. What can I tell you — he was from another planet.

You seem like someone for whom the stage is a natural place. But outside of music, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobby that helps you disconnect?

Pfff, I’m very restless (laughs). I need to be in constant movement, otherwise my energy source runs out.
I love drawing, reading, writing, sports. I love customizing clothes — fashion is another passion — but it’s not what helps me disconnect the most.
I think what makes me live in the present moment the most is gardening. I’ve always said that when I’m old and retired, I’ll have the most beautiful garden on the entire street 😅

What is a normal day like for you when you don’t have concerts or studio sessions?

I guess like the rest of mortals. I wake up, look at my phone (don’t do it, it’s bad, it raises cortisol! 😂), I have breakfast and try to organize my schedule. I go train, eat, walk my dog… a very normal routine.
I get my things in order. If I have a lot of free time, I try to meet friends to go out for dinner or have a couple of glasses of wine.

Do you remember the moment when you realized that people really listen to your songs and connect with them?

It was around the year 200… I did a mini tour around the region, and I remember that there was one concert where I knew people were connecting with my music.
It was in Madrid, at a concert within the Sofar Sounds platform. It was a cappella, very minimalistic, and the song in particular was very different from what I usually do.
In that moment I felt that one of my songs could move a group of strangers. I still remember it as if it were yesterday. And I thank the universe for that special day even now.

You already have releases on Spotify — tell us about your latest album or single. What does this work mean to you?

The last single I released, called Jumping, was quite difficult to expose. Knowing I was going to put it out to the public scared me, but at the same time I really wanted to.
I guess that’s what it’s about: making other people identify with what I sing.
I opened up a lot in this track — I literally exposed my intrusive thoughts in the form of a song.
For me it was a reality check. I was going through a very bad mental moment — lots of anxiety, internal fights, heartbreaks that destroy your self-esteem.
This song represents an internal struggle between what you idealize and what it really is.

Is there any collaboration or project you’re working on right now?

Yes. Soon a project is coming out that’s very different from what I’ve done so far.
I can only say it’s a genre I’ve never worked in before, but I loved the experience.
I learned so much. It was very difficult for me to sing over those tempos — so different for me — but I wanted to test myself and it definitely worked out.
I can’t reveal much, but it’s an urban track — very dirty, aggressive, but a social critique.

How do you see the current music scene — especially the local one? Do you feel support or more competition?

Not at all — I feel there’s a great network of support, more and more. I love the aura that’s forming around me.
For example, I work with a large group of artists — dancers, musicians, singers.
Of course there is “competition, ” but I don’t see it as a negative kind.
I think it’s a pressure that sustains the desire to learn and evolve as an artist.
Like the phrase that says “without war there is no peace.”
For me, “competition” is nothing but learning — taking the positive side of having other artists around you working on projects that maybe you hadn’t even considered yet. For me it’s always a plus — it’s learning, like everything in life.

What does performing live mean to you? Is it more adrenaline, emotion, or a way to share something personal?

Pfff, it’s pure adrenaline. For me it’s the best therapy.
Live shows are my way of showing myself why I do what I do, why I make music.
I feel that when I’m on a stage it’s like placing the cherry on top of the cake. It’s emanating my energy to an audience and creating a constant source of energies vibrating high.
Call me spiritual (laughs). Maybe other artists feel the same, but my therapy, more than writing my emotions through my songs — which is already a good way to “heal” — is showing myself live.

How do you handle creative blocks? Do you have moments when you simply don’t want to do anything?

I have lots of creative blocks. I have tricks to make the muse return to the point of origin.
Sometimes I create an imaginary world in my head — whether an invented story that’s fiction or personal stories, depending on the moment I’m living.
But honestly, I hope it comes on its own. Sometimes you just have to wait and it arrives, don’t force it… just flow.
In the end everything comes, especially when you dedicate yourself to art.
Trying to force it sometimes is worse and frustrates you even more; that will only make you not want to try.
I think I’m very much a person of “moments”: when I’m at my worst is when I get the most composition ideas.

What are your nearest goals — musical or personal? What would you like to achieve next year?

I used to be a very ambitious person — I wanted everything: applause, recognition, success.
I wanted to go on tour and live like a “rockstar.”
But over time I’ve given myself mental space between what the child in me wanted and what the adult wants.
I no longer seek “fame” as such. Of course, to be able to bring my music and art to people, I need to expand and reach more people to live from it 100%.
But I don’t expect anything — I just enjoy the process of time.
I’d like to end up however I have to end up… as long as it ends well, that’s enough. I only seek peace.

If you could record a song with any artist — alive or deceased — who would it be and why?

You’re putting me in a tough spot (laughs). There are so many I wouldn’t know which one to choose; I’d need 7 lives like cats (laughs).
But off the top of my head:
— Deceased: Etta James. She has been one of my teachers, in vocal technique and in feeling.
— Also Amy Winehouse, because of her nostalgia when singing — she sang from a place that very few artists reached.
— Alive: without a doubt Rosalía or Billie Eilish.

Why? Putting limits on my words would be unfair — I have no words. It would simply be a dream come true.

To finish: you’re now answering the questions for the FOTKAI project, created to discover new, sincere, and talented people. How do you feel about this kind of initiative? What do you think is important in such projects, and what would you like to see from FOTKAI in the future?

Not only is it important to promote this kind of project — it’s essential. Mainly so artists can be seen and noticed.
This is culture, and culture is always an added value for society. Knowledge takes no space — that’s what my parents always say, and it’s true.
It’s a beautiful project where you can create a great network of information about emerging local artists… and who knows, maybe in the future not so local.
I would like to see it expand and have recorded video interviews — that would be a very interesting extra.