Ignacio Peña
Meet Puerto Rico-born UK Open Mic performer, Ignacio Peña:
Hi Ignacio Peña, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:
Do you play solo only, or also in a group?
Solo
How old are you?
50
Where were you born?
Puerto Rico
Where did you grow up?
Puerto Rico
How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)
I would say it influenced it completely although im a rock n roll singer. I come from the clash between the Latin world and the Anglo world. Bilingual and Bi-cultural.
Where are you based now, and why?
I’m in London for now because I have loved London and all things British Rock all my life.
What got you into making music in the first place?
I started at 14. Probably the most socially accepted and productive way to express anger, is angst. Etc
What instrument/s do you play?
Singing, Guitar
Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?
The Beatles, Oasis, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Bryan Adams, Police, Def Leppard, The Who, Zeppelin, Keane. All because of their great melodies.
Do you write your songs?
Yes
How many years have you been writing songs for?
30
What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?
Not sure there’s a particular process for me. Either a title comes or a riff of a hook…. always waiting for the melody.
Why did you get into playing them in the first place?
Wanted to show my songs.
What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?
Write and Write and Perform.
What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?
The first verse and chorus. Then you get comfortable.
What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?
Don’t have a particular story here.
If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?
Yes
What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?
Money
What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?
That im from Puerto Rico… after they hear my songs.
What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?
Just finished conceptualizing all the visual content for international Salsa star Gilberto Santa Rosa’s new tour “Autentico”
Do you have your own music video, channel or playlist you’d like to share?
Do you have music on streaming? What’s you main streaming channel to send people to?
https://spotify.link/DRM92RrEaDb
Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?
We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?
Thanks for looking at my profile. Cheers!