We spoke to rising Venezuelan artist and producer MJ Nebreda about her new EP ‘Corazón Vol.1’. This nine-track project explores themes of love, identity, and emotion, showcasing her innovative creativity and commitment to collaboration. ‘Corazón Vol. 1’ includes a stellar lineup of artists, with each track featuring unique collaborations that delve into distinct emotional landscapes. Nebreda’s passion for connecting with like-minded artists shines through, as every track benefits from the contributions of esteemed guests. Building on the success of her previous singles “Tú Me Das” featuring Safety Trance, “Soy Sentimental” with CRRDR, and “Puta Romántica,” the EP deepens its multifaceted themes while introducing fresh ideas with each collaboration.
Nebreda’s thoughtfully selected collaborators add unique touches to each track, reflecting the rich influences in her work. Celebrating her Venezuelan heritage, Nebreda speaks to audiences worldwide, establishing herself as a bold voice in Latin music. The diverse artists featured in the project highlight her ability to blend different styles while remaining true to her sound, a key aspect of ‘Corazón Vol.1’.
KALTBLUT: Your new project “Corazón Vol.1” is described as a long labour of love. Can you elaborate on the creative process behind it and what listeners can expect?
I just wanted to look inwards and write to my feelings while honoring the moment in time I was in. The moment being the music I like and what I like to listen to so listeners can expect exactly that! I usually do open format Latin club DJ and I go through all the BPMs this mixtape speaks to that in a more literal way.
KALTBLUT: Your last single “Soy sentimental” is a song about expressing your feelings openly. What inspired you to write this track, and how does it reflect your personal beliefs?
The song kind of talks about how I am a hopeless romantic I think a lot of my songs kind of hint at this like obsession I have sometimes with people. Just wanting to spend time with that special person and offering to be their person. Personally, I like to fall in love with people and kind of sometimes just for fun dream about what it can be even if nothing comes out of it. It’s probably not the best for my heart but I am the way I am.
KALTBLUT: “Corazón Vol.1” combines traditional and contemporary sounds. How do you strike a balance between honouring your cultural roots and innovating within your genre?
Naturally, I think I am someone who has a very clear vision of what sounds I want and like to play with and I tend to notice it doesn’t really stray too much I do like pushing myself to not sound like anything else but more be inspired by the sounds I like to make something new. That’s why my focus is not really being the most club artist but making songs that engulf the listener in this Latin sonic world with my lyrics waking up senses inside them. I always say I make songs not tracks.
KALTBLUT: You’ve worked with key figures like Nick León and DJ Baba in the past. Can you share some insights into those collaborations and how they have shaped your artistic direction?
Yeah, I love collaborating with my peers, especially friends of mine that I look up to and have a distinct sound. The collaborations were natural as I was always creating in this world. It’s cool getting to combine my energy with someone else’s and that is always what I look for with collaborators as a producer and writer I like to work with other artists that bring their own sound and when we work together we can combine our sounds to make something special together.
KALTBLUT: You’ve mentioned aiming for both DJ set appeal and personal listening experiences. How do you cater to these different contexts in your music production?
I don’t necessarily aim for it to be a DJ set appeal I just think I am obsessed with being able to dance or move from a beat so I tend to look for a combination of sounds that makes me want to move (dance) but also emit an emotional reaction from me.
KALTBLUT: Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming collaborations or future projects you are excited about?
Corazón Club Vol 2 babyyyyyy and there’s some really fun collaborations on the way as well :)
KALTBLUT: How do you navigate the intersection of music and gender norms in your work, as highlighted in tracks like “Soy sentimental”?
I don’t I just am myself and I won’t change that for anyone or anything. I won’t be pressured into being more like one thing or the other I just want to follow what makes me feel good what gender expression fills me. I don’t care for how the world will see it. I care for allowing others to see their own expression and love it. Mi
KALTBLUT: Your first album “Amor En Los Tiempos De Odio” saw great success, particularly with the track “Frida Kahlo.” What do you think sets this project apart, and what lessons did you take forward into your new work?
So I haven’t released an album yet. Everything I do is independent and it’s a mission to do what I do with low support so to me that is 100% an EP. I also wouldn’t even consider it doing well at least not at all by global music standards. I think the EP made an impact and I like to think all my music does regardless of how much commercial success it has. The song Frida Kahlo is not even close to being my most successful song but it did really well with DJS in Europe which I love because of course it’s nice being recognized and having your music played. I don’t like to aim for commercial success I really like to focus on my intuition and of course learn lessons from mistakes but never feel stuck in my own success or the vision of it.
KALTBLUT: Given your extensive discography and varied influences, what would you say is the unifying theme or message in your music?
I don’t really consider my discography extensive I think I am a modern artist and producer who is trying to get out there and make a living out of what I love in any way I can. I think the message in my music is to be unapologetically yourself and to find your own power inside yourself to continue I think that’s the main theme in pretty much everything I do.
KALTBLUT: What’s the most challenging aspect of creating music that stays true to your roots while also pushing the boundaries of contemporary sound?
Making it is easy, living off of it is hard.
KALTBLUT: Looking forward, what are your aspirations for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I look to become more unapologetically myself and the musician I am. I think there’s more elaborate songwriting and production coming and a higher focus on making beautiful songs.
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Corazón Club vol. 1 is out now: https://vyd.co/CoraznClubVol1
