The women of the renowned Flamenco ensemble Las Migas—Marta Robles, Alicia Grillo Risco, Laura Pacios, and Carolina Fernandez—have achieved significant milestones, including conquering national and international stages, securing two Latin Grammy nominations, winning the Min Award, and recently releasing their new album, Libres. However, their noteworthy journey and passionate dedication stand out even more than their accolades.
In an exclusive interview with indianexpress.com, Marta Robles, the composer, music arranger, and producer of their latest album, reflects on Flamenco as an art form, their Grammy nominations, navigating the contemporary music industry, experiences performing in India, and more. Here are the edited excerpts:
**What do you appreciate most about Flamenco as a musical genre?**
The energy, power, and passion that resonate in the sound and vibe of Flamenco are my favorite aspects. That essence is crucial, and we always strive to maintain it in our songs.
**In what ways has Flamenco evolved over the years, in your opinion?**
Initially, it was more focused on singing, then the guitar became integral. Today, it has evolved into a high-quality, complex form of music. Mastery is required to understand and play it—it’s challenging. However, innovative ideas are emerging, like the artist Rosalía, who comes from the Flamenco scene but brings a contemporary twist. We’re delighted to witness these modern developments because Flamenco remains vibrant as long as people continue reinventing it in new ways.
**What challenges did you face in establishing yourselves in the mainstream music scene?**
I always aim to do things differently—originality has been crucial for me. Transitioning from classical music, I ventured into Flamenco to pursue something distinct. Creating a female band was a novel concept because, at the start of Las Migas, there were no female bands in the Flamenco scene. Our originality granted us space, and social media has been instrumental in spreading our music globally. We receive messages from people worldwide, expressing their appreciation and seeking information about us. Recently, we learned about our nomination for the Latin Grammys 2022 in America for our album ‘LIBRES.’ All of this is possible due to social media and today’s interconnected world, allowing us to share our art widely.
**How did the pandemic impact the band?**
Initially, it was challenging as we had to cancel numerous gigs. Despite the initial uncertainty, it turned out to be beneficial because we had time to compose songs and record our album. The lockdown, particularly for me, became a positive experience as it provided a moment to breathe, reflect, and plan the next steps.
**Do you believe Latin representation in the music industry is improving with social media and increased exposure?**
It’s uncertain because, to some extent, the scenario remains similar—only the highly renowned artists receive significant attention. However, at a lower level of fame, there is still space. We have our audience, and it’s sufficient.
**What was your reaction to the Latin Grammy nomination this year?**
We were previously nominated for the best Flamenco album, but this time, getting the news after a concert in Delhi felt extremely exciting and gratifying. Being nominated again for the best Flamenco album in 2022 was a thrilling experience.
**How do you find India as a venue for sharing your art and love for Flamenco?**
India has been a country of interest for us for a long time because we appreciate its music, art, dance, vibrant colors, spicy food, and lifestyle. We wanted to explore and learn about many things, especially given the stark contrast to life in Europe. Although our time in India has been short, we’ve experienced the warmth and kindness of the people. It’s been an incredible, albeit brief, journey.