10 june 09

er voice and style first reminds me of Tracy Chapman and Dido before

swinging faster than a Spanish summer thunder-storm into something posi-tively pop princessy. This hamstring-ripping reach, coupled with a sultry femi-ninity that makes Jessica Alba look like the girl next door, can’t be far away from being devoured by MTV and global radio. A Song For Sophie is among the tastiest of tracks from her palatable debut album, Columbine. The chorus from her song I Will Love You Monday sounds like the good bit from Ram Jam’s Black Betty reincarnated as a sex kitten and injected with sugar. I hope Whigfield will forgive me, but I’ll take Aura any day of the week, even Saturday night.

You don’t look quite like the stereotype most of us have of Danish people, what’s your genetic make-up? Is it true you have some Spanish blood? My father has some Spanish blood running in his veins. My mother is half French half from the Faroe Islands. You were over here in Ma-drid a while ago playing at Madrid Fashion Week: Have you had time to see Madrid? What do you make of it?

I really feel at home in Madrid. I like the Spanish temperament and the life-style. I like how the women are not afraid of wearing colours, and the men are still being men, some might say macho - and I know that roles between men and women are somewhat changing in Spain - but I love when a man can make me feel like I am a lady. Tell us a little about your life growing up. What was it like having hippy parents and living on the Danish island of Born-holm? My parents have always lived a very free life; they are very open and curious people. When I was a child, we would be on the sea for months. I would bring my red Sony Walkman and listen to ABBA, The Beatles or Michael Jackson. I would ask them about all the big ques-tions of life. Such as, where do the mermaids cook their food? Or who shoots the stars?! Sometimes it would take days for my parents to answer, but we were on a boat with nothing else to do, other than look and learn and talk. How did you come to travel Australia? How have your experiences there influenced your music?I was only 17 when I travelled by myself to Australia. I was

fearless and had a strong belief in myself. I wrote some of my favourite songs in that period of time. It seems to me that I always get rewarded, when I challenge life’s settings. Do you think you could get used to the lifestyle here in Spain, or is it too hot and life too disorganized?Disorganized? I have only met really cool Spanish peo-ple. One time I was on my way to do an interview at Kiss FM TV in Madrid, and I forgot my guitar, left it in the taxi. As you know, there are thousands of taxis around Madrid, and I had absolutely no way of getting it back. But the next morning I got a call from the reception at my hotel, saying that a taxi driver had just returned my guitar! Lucky me! He had heard me talk and play on the radio, and somehow found out where I was stay-ing! Now that's what I call organization! You recently won the Best Female Artist and Best Pop Album at the Danish Music Awards. What was that like? It was of course a big dream coming true. I have been writing and playing music for so many years. I have always followed my heart

and believed that I could make it happen. I am so grateful and thankful for each moment, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in mind for me. Is your music style pop with folk or folk with pop?I have almost written all the songs on my guitar. When I produce them, I use influences that come from electronic music and I try to remix the traditional folk song. Which song of yours would you recommend to people who haven’t heard your music, to bring them in?Song For Sophie or Something From Nothing… Or, or, or! I’ve been loving the video for I Will Love You Monday on Vimeo and YouTube with all the shoes that come out for a walk with you. Where exactly did you film it?The I Will Love You Monday video was filmed in Copen-hagen, Denmark. We drove around all day to different locations to get the perfect shots. I especially like the scene where I am dancing in the street with all the shoes. Can you teach us to say something in Danish and tell us what it means, please?Elske mens du gør det, lev mens du tør det. It means, “Love like you have never been hurt, live as if there were no tomorrow.” What is your favourite Spanish word?My favourite word is comer. I love spicy Spanish food and one of the most valued moments of the day, for me, is when I’m with my family or some close friends after a long day and we gather around the table to share a beautifully prepared dinner.

vibes

WORDS & InTeRvIeW by LuC CIOTkOWSkI

“I’m Pocahontas meets hardcore Flashdance”, is how this year’s double Danish Grammy-winning artist Aura Dione describes herself. Luc Ciotkowski caught up with her before her Spanish mini-tour to taste this unconventional cocktail.

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RICk festivals

What would time in Spain be without a dash of the ol’ flamenco? If you haven’t been able to get down south to its spiritual home or never had the dosh for one of the tourist dinners and shows, then be sure to see Madrid’s Suma Flamenca this year.

This festival returns for its fourth year with the best flamenco talent Spain has to offer. Until 20 June, there will be many shows at many different venues showcasing flamenco guitar, singing, piano and, of course, the traditional dancing. There will be a total of 63 shows at venues such as Teatro Canal, Teatro Lara and Casa Patas. Highlighted artists include Enrique Morente, Vicente Amigo and Carmen Linares. All artists will be performing this year in honour of Flemish Catalonia. If you’re not entirely sure who these artists are because you’ve never followed flamenco, then I suggest you head to the Teatro Häagen-Dasz Calderón. Here, a variety of shows will be presented until 16 June under the heading ‘Flamenco Universal’. The festival ends with final performances in Plaza Mayor from Paco del Pozo, Alicia Gil and Andres Oleagui Cuarteto.

Whether you ‘get’ flamenco or not, can you really leave Spain not having experienced a show? Head out to Suma Flamenca Festival this year; it’s all right on our doorstep.

Suma Flamenca

until20 june

Aura’s June tour of Spain2 June - Madrid (Sala La Boite)4 June - Valencia (Sala Wah-Wah)6 June - Vigo (Sala Mondo)9 June - Barcelona (Sala Sidecar)

Get pre-sale tickets at www.ticketmaster.es(10€ pre-sale 13€ on the door) http://www.myspace.com/auradione