Intelligence talks debut album, Opera Prima
Like a fine wine, good things take time. Enrique Fernandez Tanco, known musically as Intelligence, has been making music for 20 years.
He has released a ton of work throughout the years on labels such as 24/7, Grasshopper, Dacru and Expo Records to name a few.
Producing an album is no easy feat so why now?
Creating an album is an artist’s way to express multiple aspects of their creativity in one offering. It is a grand gesture to the listener saying, “this is me.”
In saying that, Enrique put so much care into making sure every sound from every track has its perfect place, its perfect form. The sound design on Opera Prima is extremely thoughtful and it shows an artist who has grown tremendously over the years, in life and in music.
Powerful, futuristic, glitchy, with cinematic atmospheres, Opera Prima should be listened to from beginning to end, and then again.
Like that fine, time taking wine, each listen of the album brings forth new tastes and discoveries, an ongoing journey.
It takes time to know yourself as a person and as an artist and I believe that when creating a piece of art, you need to show yourself as you are, as it is an extension of who you are.”
Congratulations on the release of your debut album, Opera Prima! You have been making music for around 20 years, what made you decide to commit to the project of an album?
INTELLIGENCE: Honestly, my family. I have always had the idea that great things are built slowly and in the end the reward is greater, which is precisely what I have tried to transmit to my daughters. It takes time to know yourself as a person and as an artist and I believe that when creating a piece of art, you need to show yourself as you are, as it is an extension of who you are.
The album presents a whole new sound for Intelligence. What is the importance as an artist to bush the boundaries of the known and perhaps comfortable and step into a new sphere of creativity and sound?
INTELLIGENCE: I believe that the importance resides in the way of telling a story with sound. Trying to improve the sound narrative is very important for me since music is the soundtrack of our lives, and our lives are always in constant change and learning, isn’t it?
How did Opera Prima come into fruition? Did you have a clear vision for the album and where you wanted it to go? How was the journey towards getting it done? ‘
INTELLIGENCE: ‘Opera Prima’ by definition means “The first artistic work of an author” in the Cinema. This was the only thing that was clear to me. I wanted to make an album and I had to build unique pieces for this work and I didn’t know where to start …… until I realized I have accumulated experiences that have allowed me to explore different branches of sound within these 20 years and this was key to the development of the album.
I thought of giving a different twist to each story but with a correlation between them, allowing the album to have a certain diversity as you listen to it, almost as if it were an Anthology or a menu where you can taste which song you like the most.
How has the dancefloor responded to the new album?
INTELLIGENCE: I have not yet had the opportunity to present it as I would like- in a complete way- however in the last few performances I’ve had the opportunity to play around 2 or 3 tracks and they’ve received a pretty good response from the dancefloor.
There’s an Attik collaboration on the album- Jupiter Parasites- which is amazing (as always.) Besides your Auravoid project with him, you have collaborated plenty of times over the years with your brother. How has your musical kinship and friendship inspired you throughout the years?
INTELLIGENCE: Making music with someone in your family is one of the best things that can happen to you in life. The bond that exists in the creative process is inexplicable, however there must be a certain commitment and respect for music for things to flow smoothly, adequately.
What is your process when writing a track?
INTELLIGENCE: Not always as you expect. Sometimes it’s very fluid and other times it can take me ages to just advance in a small section of the song. I always take it very seriously although maybe I shouldn’t do it that much hahaha. I don’t like settling for building just to build, I always try to create elements with which I feel completely comfortable with and that I know will transmit what I am thinking or feeling. And of course, the mood has a lot to do with it- sometimes I only work on technical or mixing aspects and I leave the creative side for another time.
Opera Prima is released on Expo Records. How has the process been working with Grant and the label regarding getting the album done?
INTELLIGENCE: We have been friends for many years and we have established a fairly clear channel of communication and a working friendship that has paid off. Expo has always given my work as an artist a high priority and that is invaluable to me. Grant always believed in this album, which would be something different and it’s always good to grow up with people who share your vision as a person and as an artist.
Now that the album is done, you know what that means? Tour time! What are you looking most forward to with touring, festivals, dancefloors, fellow artists?
INTELLIGENCE: Ohhh yes, it’s totally time to travel and present the work after being in the studio! We have a tour planned for Europe this year that we will announce soon. I feel satisfied with what has been achieved so far and what I would like most is to be able to share it with as many people as possible.
I am very grateful to the people who have supported me during this long process: family, friends, producer friends and DJs throughout the globe. I would love for everyone reading this to listen to the entire album from beginning to end, sitting in your garden, or at a party with a good beer in hand or whatever you want to get and have a good trip. See you soon in your nearest dance floor!
Buy / Steam Opera Prima here
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