Maria Conchita Alonso – Cantante/ Compositor/ Producor/ Activist.
Actress / Singer/ Songwriter/ Producer/ Activist.
Interview conducted on June 28, 2020
Lléname de Ti is a sharp, romantic ballad with a sensual touch and lyrics that come from deep within the Cuban / Venezuelan singer’s heart. Joining forces to help create this new hit were music industry veterans Rodney Alejandro, Andy Vargas, and Claudia Brandt.
The video of the song, which premiered on May 15, was made at home using cellular technology: it was recorded with two iPhones.
What is your upbringing?
Born in Cuba and moved to Venezuela at a very young age with my two older brothers, a dog and wonderful parents. Mom, always there for me, used to tell me that I could be whatever I wanted and did not needed a man to do it. Went to school in Wash. State, Switzerland, lived in Spain. Top model in Vzla, Miss Teen-Ager of the World, 6th runner up as Miss Venezuela in Miss World. Grew up very happy and loved.
How did you discover music?
I was born with music in me. So, it’s hard to say when I discovered it. There was always music in my house. I think I was around 5 when one of my aunts, an opera singer, told my mom I was going to be a famous, as I never stopped performing. Since little I took piano lessons and ballet, then guitar, voice, jazz and modern dance. All that made it easier for me to many years later get the lead in A Kiss of the Spider Woman on Broadway.
How did you start performing music?
While at school in Deer Park Wash, I was in the Choir and did solo performances at some school venues.
At 15 back in Vzla, I was cast as Mary Magdalena for Jesus Christ Superstar, in a play at our club; but my father not wanting me to be in this business, offered a trip to Europe, and I took it. Years later while competing in beauty pageants, I would sing at cocktail parties with my guitar that I would bring along. At 19 a successful Italian/Venezuelan producer asked me if I wanted to make an album, Polygram signed me and Love Maniacâ, a disco music song in English became #1. Recorded two more albums and then, living already in L.A., A&M signed me, my first record brought me a few #ones for the Spanish speaking markets and platinum/gold albums.
You have worked alongside of Robin Williams (Moscow on the Hudson)?
Yes, I was his love interest, his co-star. Beautiful human being, shy, humble, a genius, too big and intense for this world, that is why I believe he had to go, and to a better place. The day we were going to shoot the bathtub scene, I was very nervous, when I got to my trailer that morning, he had left a flower with a note saying “Everything will be fine”.
Are there any stories you would like to share?
I co-starred with Sean Penn in Dennis Hopper we got along very well while filming, but years later he became extremely outspoken in favor of Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan’s dictator, now dead. Sean also then for me. Once he called me a pig and I answered back and you communist All this happened at American Airlines office full of people in LAX.
Do you enjoy acting or singing more?
The thrill you get while performing in front of an audience is magnificent, grand! But being a different people, lives that I would never live as Maria Conchita, that IS JUST TOO MUCH!
You have received several Grammy award nominations. Why don’t you think you won a Grammy yet?
Those three times I was nominated they put me in the wrong category, once with José Plácido Domingo Then I took a very long break from my career and personal life to become a political activist trying to save Vzla from what it is now. Almost 20 years… Now I am back concentrating in my career and life.
How was it to work with Rodney Alejandro, Andy Vargas and Claudia Brend?
I had already worked with RA and AV, we get along incredibly well very easy to work with them. Rodney sits on the piano and Andy and I start creating the melody, together with Rodney A. I was more than half way finished with the lyrics when I called Claudia and asked her if she could participate, I say she was like the “plastic surgeon”, she brought meaningful words adding more beauty to what I already had and wanted to transmit.
How did you start to work with them?
I knew Rodney A. He was the connection to AV and CB.
Why did you decide to make a video LLENAME DE TI with two iPhone? Was there Anything special done with the iPhone as in upgrades?
Because I did not want it to be an expensive shooting and I had seen before other videos shot with iPhone that looked very professional; although I personally have a Samsung cause I like it more, my two friends who shot it, Thauro has an iPhone 3 and Victoria Natkin Goodman an 11.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
Lots of water and sleep!
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
Digital vs. vinyl? I miss the old times, in everything. Vinyl has a magical sound that you do not find in digital, but hey, times have changed and we need to go along with it. Before I had a label that did everything, now those that don’t have one, because really, it is not need it, can still do it but you have to work harder. I love that younger artists are bringing back the “records”, I love the natural and organic sound of it.
Any plans to tour?
My agent was negotiating a couple of dates, then all this craziness started…
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
I don’t really have one but many, I always listen to Pink Floyd, Supertramp, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, what can I say, my heart and soul is rock& roll… But I also like Country and blues.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
It is already affecting it. The direct connection with the public and their ovation, we hope we can reconnect to that, it is very important to feel the love that makes us vibrate. Technology is giving us some good things, but has killed the human approach and tenderness…
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I watch lots of movies, series, and search on the internet a lot for interesting and important topics
We should all know and the press doesn’t talk about it. I cook, did not know I could do it so well! I love staying home, I partied sooo much when I was younger, very lucky of me… that now I never feel like going out, I do miss going to restaurants, concerts and friends’ houses, a kiss, a hug… A friend of mine, a singer from Venezuela, Enrique Divine, has been staying with me, so, we started an Instagram Live program every Thursday at 8 pm Miami time out of my account @mariaconchita_a called “Divina Noche de Copas” (my 2nd number 1 hit was “Noche de Copas” and Herb Alpert plays the trumpet in it). People love it! And we have a lot of fun doing it. I also just started a Monday Night Karaoke with MC, just me alone, talking directly to my followers, singing a couple of songs, in English and Spanish.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
That I’m a great cook!!! I never cared for it, but let me tell you, I am good! Don’t know how… I make up things and the recipes come out fantastic! I’m enjoying it and it relaxes me. I also have a coloring book specially to calm anxiety, and it works!
You are a political activist in Venezuela. Venezuela scientists are in a faceoff with the government on how the reliability of the Covid-19 tests is. They are using a test which was donated by the Chinese government. While the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is certified. This is causing a backlog causing the conformed case count to be artificially low. And the government is talking about arresting critics if they talk about these health issues. What is you’re feeling about this?
China is “in bed” with Venezuela, as well as Russia, Hezbollah, Iran; the country is bleeding even more with them there, they take away gold, uranium. No one should believe a word they say, we know there are more cases, but they will hide it like China hid for a long time what was going on. If you speak against something/someone in Venezuela they can arrest you, torture and kill you, and be accused of whatever they feel like, they are getting away with it. It’s like the wild Wild West, no rules…
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?
I wish I had a studio in my house! But I don’t. My musical director Javien Mendoza is in Miami and he has sent me a few songs where I then put my voice on them, they are in my YouTube channel Maria Conchita Alonso Official. I don’t know, I don’t know if I will do it, I need a music manager for that and don’t really have one, just a tour manager.
Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
Nowadays everything is possible, as long as you have a team behind you, and I only have one in the acting department. By the way, there are three films I shot last year which will be coming out, now I imagine in 2021.
First it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until Fall of 2021. You, yourself have been doing live sessions which includes you doing one in your bathroom. How is it going?
Ha-ha, yes, I shot about 4 of my hits, three of them naked, in my bathtub (they are in my YouTube channel). I was cleaning my bathtub (something I hate to do, I am not a housewife at all!), and it was at that moment that I thought of doing the videos, good thing Enrique’s here to shot them. I think I’m done with the bathtub videos, now have to think of something else…
How do you feel about President Trump immigration policies?
I believe in following the immigration law. I would not allow anyone into my home until I know who they are, know about their background, once in can they help or harm me? I don’t believe in opening doors and let everyone in without knowing who they are, we are living in a world where you cannot do that! And I think each country should put its people first. But I do believe in helping others. No one should be hungry. I won’t talk in favor or against him, but one thing is for sure, he has been the only one that has done something for Venezuela. Although more, much more is needed.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Man, with today’s technology, everything is possible! And that would be beautiful.
I saw that you play guitar. Can you tell me a story about learning how to play guitar?
Sadly, I have not played in a long time, although the other day I grabbed one of them and started working on a song, for some reason the need to do it is no longer there. I learned when I was a kid and my teacher was very hot! Haha, I hated going to classes but not to that one… I always wanted to go. I will always thank my mom that made me go to those classes. I used to travel everywhere with my guitar, I was a good player.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
In complete peace. Keeping a place in LA but living in a very small town surrounded by green and animals. With the man of my life that still hasn’t arrived…
Anything you would like to say in closing?
We are now going through a very confusing time all over the world. people don’t know what is going on! I am very clear this is a spiritual fight, good against evil and at times it looks as if the devil is winning, but I want to believe, I NEED to believe, that there is more good than bad in people, and that what we are going through is for us to learn to be a better person and to spiritually grow, to eliminate those who want to control your mind and soul so a new world can start. And I am not talking about the New World Order… I believe in God, in Christ, in Budha, in Angels. I created a nonprofit foundation here in the States to help animals in Venezuela, Vee Fauna. I also have two accounts on IG to help, @tequila_club__ and @VeeFauna, this last one I just opened. You can find there how and where you can help. I always feel so good when I am helping others! If people knew how it feels, more would be united trying to save lives. More will be on the side of light away from darkness. There is still time. Try it. You won’t regret it.
You must be logged in to post a comment.