Matthieu Saglio is a musician and composer, he has played the cello since he was 8 years old and his passion for music begins in Valencia, which is where he has lived since 2000. An Erasmus took him to the Valencian capital while he was studying agricultural engineering, but he decided that music would be his lifestyle. It was in this city where he set foot in the industry and created his first group 'Mujeres Texas' with Ricardo Estevia on guitar and Jesús Gimeno on drums.
Saglio currently has 103.262 monthly listeners on the Spotify platform and his best-known song accumulates 2.408.977 views. This month, the artist embarks on a musical tour that will kick off in the city of Dénia and that will take him to the Fijazz Festival in Alicante and the Torrent Jazz Festival. These are not the only scheduled destinations, since the musician will pass through cities such as Mallorca or Murcia, and countries such as his native France and Germany.
On this occasion, we review his experiences throughout these 20 years in the industry, we talk about his latest album and, also, about his future projects.
QUESTION. How was your passion for an instrument like the cello born?
ANSWER. It was a coincidence. I started at 8 years old and, at that time, I wanted to play the transverse flute, but my hands were too small. I had to wait a year to be able to play it or choose another instrument. It so happened that my parents liked the cello teacher and that's how I decided.
Q. You are going to start a tour of Jazz festivals, what energy does this type of event transmit to you?
R. Very good. Here in the Valencian Community we started the summer tour with several important dates, for example, we played in Dénia in the Torrecremada Gardens, also at the Alicante Jazz Festival, then at the San Javier Festival and I will also be in Torrent. I really believe that festivals with big stages and powerful sound give you the opportunity to express it all. In addition, all have a very enviable and, at the same time, very international programming. For me it is a joy and an honor that you count on me.
Q. What unites you to come to act in La Marina Alta?
R. Apart from the fact that it is the neighboring area where I live, there is something special with Dénia. I recorded the presentation video of my album "The Way of the Winds" on the road to Cova Tallada. I love it, it's a place that I like to go a lot. The views between the sea and the mountains seem wonderful to me. That is why I am excited to start the tour in Dénia, it is like a nice wink.
Q. What inspired you to do your last job?
R. It has been a summary album. There are all the facets of my projects throughout these 20 years of career. Without planning it, I have been getting into very different projects, from classical, to jazz, African and Arabic melodies. All of them are reflected on the album, and I also have a cast of perfect guests. There are prestigious artists with whom I dreamed of working, also a series of colleagues from other projects and, later, a more sentimental part, since my 3 children are present in some choirs, without forgetting my brother either.
Q. What other styles would you like to experiment with?
R. I like that it comes naturally. Everything flourishes in encounters, with the artistic and human connection. You connect and you start making music. Still, there is one thing I would like to do soon: a more Brazilian project. It will be a matter of getting inspired and getting down to work.
P. In Spotify you are a success, how do you live it?
R. For me it has been something wonderful. The album came out last year, in full confinement, when everything was stopped and there was no concert. Everything was very black on a professional level, it was a harsh environment. However, for me it was time for good news. After the publication of this album there have been many fantastic reviews in international media and, at the same time, there was a movement on Spotify that has been spectacular. Right now, the album has more than 3 million views. It doesn't make me feel like a star, but it fills you with joy.
Q. You also compose soundtracks ...
R. Yes, it arises as you go. I have had collaborations for dance, theater and cinema. It is a job that I really like to do because it allows you to do things that you can do on stage. That leads to more arrangements. In addition, the play or the images of the film inspire you a bit.
Q. Returning to the topic of the pandemic, what effects did it have on you as an artist?
R. Professionally, with respect to that time, I have to say that this year has been the same or worse for musicians. Everything has been very stopped. Here in Spain we have been fortunate that a certain dynamic has been maintained, but in the rest of Europe in countries such as France, Germany or Belgium, the industry is at a 'stop'. But in general, musicians and artists are very hard-working, although there are no concerts, we continue to compose and create. There is a lot of desire to go out and connect with the public.
Q. What will we see of you next?
R. The San Javier concert is going to be recorded and, if all goes well, a live album will be released in the fall. The idea is that, but it is not entirely clear. The first thing, without a doubt, is to invite people to come to the concerts. We really want to play and hope to return. We will go with charged batteries that already transmits a lot to the public.
